Volunteers
Doug Alderson
Doug Alderson is a Florida-based naturalist, writer and photographer who has won several state and national writing awards for his books, short stories, and magazine features. He is the author of several books, including Florida’s Rivers, America’s Alligator, Wild Florida Waters, Traveling Florida’s Seminole Trail, Waters Less Traveled, New Dawn for the Kissimmee River, and Encounters with Florida’s Endangered Wildlife. Doug is also an adventurer, having hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, coordinated a group walk across the United States, backpacked through Europe, and mapped a 1,500-mile sea kayaking trail around Florida—the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. In 2007, he founded the Florida Paddling Trails Association. For more information, log onto www.dougalderson.net.
Bill and Mary Burnham
GUIDEBOOK AUTHORS AND KAYAK GUIDES
We've always thought work should be fun, so early on we combined the things we love doing together--writing and the outdoors. Twenty-five years later, we have eight books, and our own outfitting business to take people to our favorite places. Visit us at our paddling shop on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, May through October. Come winter we guide kayak expeditions in the Florida Keys and Everglades from the pages of our Florida Keys Paddling Atlas, and in Costa Rica.
Guerry Bradley
Guerry Bradley, whose day job is as a firefighter/EMT in St. Augustine, has been a part of the Paddle Florida family since our first trip in March, 2008. On that first trip, he did everything in his power to save the life of dying beaver on the Suwannee River, but alas, all his efforts were for naught as we lost the poor animal. He is also known as a key player around the campfire each night, as his jokes entertain the rest of the group. We are fortunate to have someone with his myriad skills as a Paddle Florida volunteer.
Beth Courtright
Beth grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Florida after completing a BA in Psychology and an AD in Nursing. She opted to retire at the same time as her husband, so that they could spend time together. A love of the outdoors started when she was a Girl Scout. Always ready for camping, kayaking, & exploring, it was recommended by a kayaking friend that she take a PaddleFlorida trip. Since her first trip on the Ochlocknee river she was hooked. Along with her husband, she volunteers for many worthy environmental organizations, including: Panther Wildlife Refuge, CREW Land and Water Trust, and Florida Paddling Trails Association.
John Courtright
John grew up in Miami. A great place to ignite his love of the water, he spent lots of time surfing the coast. November 2009 he retired from Miami Dade Fire Rescue after serving 30 years as a paramedic/firefighter. Retirement gave John the ability to pursue many outdoor passions. Living on the gulf coast in Naples, kayaking became a must do activity. He can be found paddling with local clubs, camping in the 10,000 islands or exploring northern rivers. In addition to paddling, John has become involved in several environmentally focused organizations: South Florida Panther Wildlife Refuge, CREW Land and Water Trust, and most recently Florida Paddling Trails Association as a trail angel.
Karol Doucette
Karol loves to paddle just about anything, including sea kayaks, surf kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. She has participated in many Paddle Florida trips and enjoyed it so much she became a volunteer. Karol and her husband Farley are lifelong learners and often take courses together as a "vacation." Karol is a rescue SCUBA diver, an ACA-certified Day Trip Leader, and an ASA-certified sailor. Active in her local community, she volunteers for Marineland's Right Whale Watch program. Growing up in northern Virginia and spending 25 years in New Jersey in a special education career, Florida was always a favorite vacation spot. She is thrilled now to call Florida home and is dedicated to preserving its beauty and natural resources.
Don McCumber
"Woodkayaker" McCumber is a Florida Master Naturalist and author who has been kayaking in southwest Florida for over 25 years. He was the Captain of Diana Nyad's kayak team, protecting Diana from sharks (non-lethal methods only) during her swim from Cuba to Florida. He is a passionate nature lover with a broad-based knowledge of the local ecosystems. McCumber has been involved with Paddle Florida as a guide and presenter on several trips. He has many stories about his adventures and encounters with the wildlife of the Everglades...and beyond. As a member of several southwest Florida kayak clubs, McCumber has led many trips. He organized "Kayak Camping 101" for Paradise Coast Paddler's Club to help introduce new kayak campers to wilderness camping in the 10,000 Islands. McCumber brings his knowledge and experience to Everglades Area Tours as their kayak camping guide, leading multiple-night kayak camping trips and kayaking day experiences into Everglades National Park and the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
David Morse
Volunteer paddle guide on water trails in Tallahassee and Big Bend area including Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, Sopchoppy, Aucilla, and St. Marks. Trip leader for several Florida kayak clubs. Trail Angel along the Forgotten Coast for the Florida Paddle Trails Association (FPTA). Retired Forester from Florida Forest Service with a decade of experience on Tate’s Hell State Forest. Work part-time seasonally for The Nature Conservancy in north Florida. Certified Forest Therapist with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT www.natureandforesttherapy.earth). Enjoy enabling other paddlers to experience more fully the wild beauty of water trails in Florida through a deeper appreciation of Nature and an increase in their practical skills with their kayak or canoe.
Always done with a light interpretive approach that respects the paddler’s unique perspective. ACA Level 2 Trip Leader, ACA Level 3 Skillset, self-taught to higher ACA standards, practiced solid roll, coastal kayaking experience. Wilderness 1 st Aid & CPR certified. Live and laugh in Sopchoppy with my wife of 34 years.
Mark Nye
Originally from Ohio, Mark landed in Fleming Island, Florida following a twenty-two-year career as an aeronautical engineer and pilot for the US Navy. He is the Vice President of the Florida Competition Paddlers Association and paddles in excess of 100 miles per month of training and racing. For more leisurely paddling, Mark and his wife Suzanne enjoy the numerous springs and rivers of the Ocala National Forest. Prior to picking up the paddle fifteen years ago, Mark’s primary water activity was sailing, both racing and instructing for the Navy. Mark is also an amateur boat builder who has built nine kayaks, a SUP, and a small sailboat. “Paddling a wooden boat that you built yourself makes kayaking even more wonderful.”
Jeff Stoffer
Cincinnati, Ohio
Jeff has 40+ years of experience with whitewater, River Rafting and sea kayaking. Taught roll school and touring/sea kayaking classes with Serra Club. Rafted Yampa, New, Nantahala and Monongahela Rivers. Trained at Madawaska Kanu Center, Ca. Has lead a number of multi-day trips including Apostle Islands and Pukaskaw on Lake Superior, and rivers and lakes in central US . Experienced multi-day paddling trips: Blackfish Bay CA, Pictured Rocks, Mi, Georgian Bay CA, 10000 Islands, Suwanee River, Withlacoochee River, FL and Kauai - Napoli, Hawaii.
Bob Whytal
Bob Whytal is a retired School Administrator from Virginia in the area of Special Education and a former Reserve Deputy from Augusta County Virginia. Currently, Bob resides in Bradenton, Florida with a summer home close to the Appalachian Trail in Churchville, Virginia with his wife Michelle and dog Snickers. Bob has been camping since eight years old and involved in water sports since the age of fourteen. Surfing, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, camping, and snorkeling have been favorite activities. The longest kayak trip was from Everglade City to Flamingo for a total distance of 120 miles. In terms of whitewater, I have canoed and kayaked various portions of the New River up to Class III, rafting the Gauley (Level V), and New River Gorge (Level IV). The outdoors and exploring new areas to kayak, raft, hike, and camp are activities of interest. Recently assisted in scouting a possible new kayak trip with Janice and Bill. I was hooked and thus volunteered to assist in the future. Loved it!
