WHERE HALIFAX PADDLES
The Team
Get To Know Us
Adam Zita
Operations Manager & Lead Sea Kayak Guide
Adam had been with ECO since 2010. he has led many of ECO's tours and is responsible for many new programs like our Full Moon Paddle and Paddle Around Series.
He is a Paddle Canada level 1 instructor with level 3 skills. In the winter months, he works for Fluid Adventures Panama as their Lead Guide for their multi-day excursions.
Dave Adler
Owner, Guide, Prez
Dave is the Owner and President of ECO. Along with the people of Lower Prospect, they started ECO in 2001. He has held the highest sea kayak certifications with Paddle Canada
Dave also owns Hooked Halifax a seafood shop in the Halifax Brewery Market. Dave is a marine conservationist, an avid fisherman, an entrepreneur, and a seafood enthusiast. He has worked as an arctic oceanographer, a commercial fisherman, and a sushi chef. He is a co-founder of Slow Fish Canada, and works locally, nationally, and internationally towards Good Clean & Fair fish for all.
Gabi Barton
Base Manager & Kayak Guide
Gabi has been with ECO since 2022 after taking her first Paddle Canada course.
She leads our Kids Kayaking Club along with our community volunteers.
As our base manager she is our front line in helping you book your excusrions and help you get on the water before you trip.
Travis Sanford
Sea Kayak Guide and Paddle Canada Instructor
Travis has been guiding tours with ECO since 2022. He holds Paddle Canada credentials of level 3 skills, and level 1 instructor. You may find him bobbing around the area looking for places to play with his kayak, and flying down the trails on his mountain bike, but you’re most likely to see him picking up poop while walking his dog.
He enjoys meeting people from all walks of life and sharing what our rugged coastline has to offer. He will make every effort to walk the group through the basics of paddling and ensure everyone is safe on the water. Once afloat, he guides you through a laid-out scenic route, and will even get you back on time… (or close?)
Pauline Halstead
Sea Kayak Guide and Paddle Canada Instructor
Sharing and caring – key elements to a kayaking instructor and guide.
I have been a kayaking instructor and guide for over 20 years and still get a thrill when helping people attain new skills or leading them for a scenic paddle. During those years, I have also specialized in introducing people with disabilities to kayaking, establishing abilitiesinmotion.ca in Ontario and now expanding those skills in Nova Scotia as an adaptive paddling consultant.
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
Suzanne Valiant
Sea Kayak Guide
Susan took the ECO guide training program in 2016 and has been guiding our group and ladies night tours as well as other daily specials for us ever since.
John Deans
Sea Kayak Guide
John started kayaking at ECO in 2013 and completed the Guide Training course in 2014. He can often be found helping out customers and fellow guides as well as with routine maintenance. He belives it is never too late to try something new.
Travis Humphrey
Office Manager and Community Relations
Travis has lived in Lower Prospect his entire life and was integral in the foundation of ECO.
To this day he still helps out in the office, also with maintenance and repairs, and also with our community reach-out programs within the area. He is our go-to guy if we need a helping hand.
He is very active in the community helping with the SS Atlantic Museum and local food drives. He has been recognized multiple times by the province for his work with in the community.
We are happy that he is part of the ECO team!