OA Guides

Blair is a lifetime adventure-enthusiast who is at his best when sharing an outdoor adventure experience with others. The oldest of four kids, he has accompanied his family on countless adventure trips and developed his love of the water at a young age. Some of his first paddling experiences were on the front of his dad’s surfboard on the California Coast wearing an O’neill toddler wetsuit!

In his teens he began training as a river rafting guide, and has been commercially raft guiding since the age of 18. His family owns and operates Outdoor Adventure Center which offers beginner to advanced paddlesports training and adventure programs from their base locations in Index, Washington and on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands. These locations afford numerous opportunities for adventure recreation, and Blair enjoys planning custom activities and programs for adventure-seeking individuals and groups. A natural teacher, he has learned many strategies to help you get the most from your outdoor experience – whether it is whitewater rafting an exciting class V section of the Skykomish River, teaching a private kayak rolling session, certifying coastal kayak instructors, or leading a youth camp activity – his enthusiasm for outdoor adventure is contagious!

Blair is the lead instructor for Outdoor Adventure Center, and oversees the training of commercial guides and recreational paddlers in several disciplines. He is an instructor trainer in coastal kayaking and rafting, a whitewater kayak instructor, a standup paddleboard instructor, a canoe instructor, a swiftwater rescue instructor, adaptive paddling instructor, and a wilderness first aid instructor. He also serves as the volunteer Washington State Director of Youth for the American Canoe Association, and has donated countless hours promoting recreation among youth and families through after-school programs, coaching, and paddlesports instruction. His experience includes organizing and leading youth adventure camps, school field trips, church youth group activities, family adventures, youth and teen leadership programs, instructor certification courses, corporate retreats, custom guide training experiences, and expedition trips throughout the Northwest.

His goals are to further his education in kinesiology and leadership, while continuing to champion access to recreational opportunities and water safety training for individuals and groups of all ages and experience levels.

Blair lives and adventures in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and 2 young children.

Brent is a 20-year Navy veteran with a passion for extreme outdoor sports. From whitewater rafting to downhill Mt. biking, mountaineering to scuba diving, he is always seeking adventures in the outdoors around the world. When not involved in adventuring, his passion extends to mentoring and teaching. As a Master Training Specialist and eight years as Chief in the Navy, he found his niche in life… teaching.