About Crystal Seas

The Crystal Seas Team

Founded in 1993

We feel that our staff greatly reflects on our company and simply spoken, our staff is fantastic. We take great pleasure in knowing that we have one of the most experienced teams in the kayaking industry and continuously work at educating and challenging ourselves to higher levels. We know what we do inside and out and it shows, from the exquisite meals that we prepare on our multi-day camping expeditions to accommodating a guest whose travel plans have gone awry.

Our staff consists of friendly outdoor enthusiasts, each one bringing a unique flavor to the team. Many of our employees are graduated college students who majored in science and also share a passion for recreation and travel. We seek out only the best, most qualified individuals who display the same leadership, integrity and enthusiasm for which our company was founded upon. Many of our guides return year after year and we see this as a reflection of our wonderful team. We feel it is important to hire local staff and to give back to the community through donations, supporting our schools and sports programs, supporting wildlife programs, local farmers and just helping out folks in need.  The Crystal Seas staff is a big family who love to work hard and play hard.  Our guides are the heartbeat of Crystal Seas and we could not have a better team of committed and enthusiastic people.

Johannes (18 years with CSK) - Founder/Owner - His first time to kayak in orca waters was when he was five years old with his father along the shores of San Juan Island. He began guiding tours at the young age of nineteen. What started as a summer job, turned into a lifetime career. Today you will find Johannes planning tours for our guests or guiding a trip along the west-side of San Juan Island. You will always sense his commitment to providing our guests with the highest quality kayak and bicycling tours imaginable. Mail keeps pouring into the office addressed to Johannes, reminding us of how ‘top rate’ Crystal Seas has become. Johannes is on the San Juan Island Parks Commission, the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee and active with the San Juan Island Kayak Association.

Tim (10 years with CSK) - Everglades branch co-founder - Tim just loves to mess about in boats.  He is not only a sea kayaker, he is also a canoeist, a sailor, and an oars man.  Tim has kayaked in 18 states including Hawaii and Alaska, 6 Mexican states, and 3 Canadian provinces. During the summer evenings you can find Tim kayaking San Juans west side, and during the winter you can catch him guiding in Florida's Everglades. Tim also works during the summer aboard the 'Odyssey' as a first mate and naturalist with San Juan Excursions Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises. When Tim gets some down time he usually can be found river kayaking or skiing in Colorado or surf kayaking in Mexico.  Tim would love to spend some time on the water with you. As Tim always says, "See you on the water".

Sarah (5 years with CSK) - Senior Guide- Sarah's special ability to teach and keep things fun make her a favorite on our family tours. Sarah has traveled all over the world to places such as South America, the Middle East, Europe (where she kayaked the Greek Isles) and Central America and is currently earning her Masters Degree in Environmental Education. She is an expert in astronomy and Spanish as well. She loves to kayak San Juan Island and guides our Inn to Inn tours and helps train new guides.

Carrie (4 years with CSK) - Senior Guide - grew up canoeing and kayaking on the lakes and rivers in Maine. She became a registered Maine Sea Kayaking Guide in the spring of 2004 and graduated from Denison University in 2006. She has also been sea kayaking in New Zealand, Australia, Bermuda, and guided tours in the Florida Everglades. Carrie trains our new guides and is a guide for our bike and kayak combo vacations with Crystal Seas and TerraTrek in the San Juan Islands where she permanently calls home.

Kelly (4 years with CSK) - Senior Guide - Kelly's degree in biology and great personality is why she receives fan mail all summer long from guests who adore her. She has sea kayaked in many places around the world including the Galapagos Islands. She also paddled 350 miles of river from Ashville to Charleston. Kelly is an expert kayak camping guide and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Her laid back personality makes trips with her fun, interesting and memorable. She also helps train guides and does behind the scenes work with Crystal Seas. When she is not in a kayak, you might find her climbing  a rock wall or teaching ecology to children.

Angie (11 years with CSK) - Office manager/Owner - Angie grew up in the San Juan Islands and loves living here because of all the wildlife she gets to see just on a simple drive to town!  She loves to explore the world and has been to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Central America, Germany and Thailand.  She is the friendly face in the office at Crystal Seas in Friday Harbor. She'll help you choose which tour is best for you through e-mail and phone calls and give you advice about where to dine and stay.  She has been sea kayaking San Juan Islands west side since 1992 and is happy to help you plan a trip for your family.

Adam (4 years with CSK) - This Eagle Scout is our all American Kayak Guide! He grew up in the San Juan Islands and loves boats, to play sports, to volunteer, and has a strong work ethic that we truly appreciate. Guests enjoy Adams' adorable and fun personality as well as his knowledge about the eco-system.

Matt (3 Years with CSK) - Matt grew up on the southern coast of San Juan Island and loves sharing his knowledge of the local ecology with his guests. When he is not guiding kayaking tours, Matt works for San Juan Excursions Whale Watching Cruises.  He is currently a student at McKenna College in California and plays baseball for his school.

JP (2 years with CSK) -   JP grew up in North Carolina paddling the shores of the East Coast. He received his bachelors degree in Wilderness Leadership.  He guides multi-day tours during the summer in the San Juan Islands and gets to kayak south Florida guiding Everglades tours during the winter.  JP's attention to detail and effort are constantly praised by our guests  through e-mails and letters.  His knowledge and ability make tours with JP fun and adventurous.

Albert (2 years with CSK) - This San Juan Island native is studying Environmental Engineering at Colorado University where he is part of the club kayak team. He has studied marine biology and is a seasoned naturalist to the San Juan Islands. Albert guides our inn to inn and camping tours as well as our day tours.

Jordan (2 years with CSK) - Jordan is part of San Juan Island history with his family being some of the first pioneers dating back to the late 1800's.  He is following in his grandfathers' footsteps (Charlie) who was the county's lead expert on bald eagles from 1963-1991.  Jordan is currently studying Environmental Science at Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University. When he is not guiding tours, he plays sports on and off the water.

Above: The original Crystal Seas Kayaking team.  Photo taken during the mid 1990's.  Mike, Ryan, Jake  & Johannes