MEET OUR CREW!
|
Ron Leidich
Ron was born to travel and explore. Growing up in a US Marine Corp family, Ron was exposed to a wild variety of cultures and habitats from an early age. From forest to desert to seas, Ron was constantly amazed by the variety of plants and animals in his ever changing back yard environments. With each move, Ron would fill his terrariums with cactuses & horny toads or mosses & salamanders. With such a great exposure to nature's greatest hits, it was no wonder that Ron chose to earn his degree in Biology. After graduating from Oregon State University, Ron embarked on a five year mission to travel the world as a migratory Animal Trainer, White Water Raft Guide, and SCUBA instructor. In 1994, Ron packed up his diving kit and flew out to Micronesia to experience the staggering biodiversity within the coral triangle. |
|
On day one, boat captain Feliciano took Ron to the magical beauty of Mandarin Fish Lake. On his second outing Ron popped from a dive at Blue Corner and declared, "this is the underwater Serengeti of planet earth!" He knew after just two days that he'd be planting roots in Palau's Micronesian paradise.
Today Ron manages two paddling companies with an exceptional group of Palauan guides, boat captains, and camp staff. While he's done his best to impart a scientific view of nature on his local crew, he's subsequently absorbed a more traditional understanding of his adopted home. The ancient Palauan culture teaches respect for nature, clan, and
community.
Ron continues to travel for both work and pleasure. Ron has spent more than 20 years leading tours from Burma to Borneo, the Maldives to Galapagos, and Komodo to Papua New Guinea. His greatest thrill however has been sharing the planet's wonders with his wife and children. Ron's so Calvin has now visited all seven continents before age 12 and has logged over 200 SCUBA dives. When not leading tours and adventures, Ron spends his free time reading, photographing natural wonders, and composing a variety of books... which he hopes will l someday lead to publications.
Today Ron manages two paddling companies with an exceptional group of Palauan guides, boat captains, and camp staff. While he's done his best to impart a scientific view of nature on his local crew, he's subsequently absorbed a more traditional understanding of his adopted home. The ancient Palauan culture teaches respect for nature, clan, and
community.
Ron continues to travel for both work and pleasure. Ron has spent more than 20 years leading tours from Burma to Borneo, the Maldives to Galapagos, and Komodo to Papua New Guinea. His greatest thrill however has been sharing the planet's wonders with his wife and children. Ron's so Calvin has now visited all seven continents before age 12 and has logged over 200 SCUBA dives. When not leading tours and adventures, Ron spends his free time reading, photographing natural wonders, and composing a variety of books... which he hopes will l someday lead to publications.
|
Macstyl Sasao
Macstyl grew up in the Republic of Palau, paddling his outrigger canoe and surrounded by the wild outdoors. By age six he'd learned to climb coconut trees much to the delight of his aunties who enjoyed their cool drinks on the breezy tropical beaches. He'd also mastered the art of capturing land crabs & coconut crabs which are two of the local delicacies. By age 7 Macstyl was swept away by extended family to provide better educational opportunities in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Fishing for salmon came naturally to a young man who'd grown up around the master fishermen of Micronesia. Macstyl was introduced to kayaking in high school on an excursion to the beautiful San Juan Islands. Enamored with the opportunity to paddle among seals, sea lions, and orcas, Macstyl wondered if there would be some way to make his living showing off the wonders of nature. |
|
Mactstyl returned to Palau after high school and found an eager group of cousins and uncles who were anxious to teach him the advanced arts of Micronesian hunting and fishing. Abandoning his western customs, Macstyl quickly adapted to a lifestyle which revolved around the moon and the tides. This lunar existence required an intimate knowledge of fish behavior, requiring Macstyl to free dive under the full moon light in search of massive aggregations of spawning fish. The gentle half moon tides allowed Mac to spear fish in the normally current swept channels. The bounty of the sea was equally distributed among his clan in the traditional Palauan customs. True to their customs, his family took from the ocean only what they needed for their sustainable use. When not providing for his clan, Macstyl began travelling throughout Oceania as a competitive outrigger canoe paddler, and competed in the Micronesian Olympics and Oceania Games.
All the while, an Eco-Tourism industry had begun to develop in Palau and Macstyl soon realized that he could make his living sharing his passion for Palau's environment with visitors from around the world. Macstyl traded his spear gun for an under-water camera and discovered that the skills he'd mastered as a fishermen, were turning him into a gifted photographer.
All the while, an Eco-Tourism industry had begun to develop in Palau and Macstyl soon realized that he could make his living sharing his passion for Palau's environment with visitors from around the world. Macstyl traded his spear gun for an under-water camera and discovered that the skills he'd mastered as a fishermen, were turning him into a gifted photographer.
|
Elilai Sugiyama
Elilai Sugiyama was named after a pair of beautiful fragrant flowers. The endemic Fagraea berteroana is found exclusively in the islands of Palau while the stunning Plumeria rubra was imported from Central America. Like her namesake Elilai is a product of the old world and the new. Her father is from Koror, Palau while her mother hails from the Native American tribe of Shoshone-Bannock. Thus Elilai finds herself equally at home free diving the crystal blue waters of Palau or horseback riding in the mountains of Idaho. While in Palau, Elilai enjoys leading kayak day tours and camping expeditions through the labyrinth of limestone islands. She's got a keen eye for elusive birds and minute gobies and is thrilled to find species that even the most veteran guides haven't spotted. Inexplicably however, she seems to have a magnetic hold on another one of Palau's rarely seen beasts: The Dugong. |
|
This Pacific Island Sea Cow typically shies away from humans and normally prefers solitude or the company of their calves, mates, or a few close relatives. That all changes when Elilai hits the water. Instead swishing off into the deep lagoon, the Dugongs mysteriously find themselves attracted to their fellow Palauan free diver. Holding her breath for two to three minutes at a time, Elilai will swim side by side with the gentle Sirenians almost within touching distance...much to the envy of all of the other kayak guides!
One of her biggest thrills is hiking into the forests with her guests in search of the ancient village sites, hiding atop the rock island hills. These sites were mysteriously abandoned just over 500 years ago, yet they still hold clues as to how the inhabitants lived their lives. In fact Elilai finds herself drawn to all aspects of the cultural heritage and history. Thus it's no surprise that she's been competing in one of the most time honored sports in Oceania: Outrigger Canoe Racing. Having earned a spot on the Palau national women's outrigger team, Elilai competes on the wild seas from Micronesia to Polynesia.
With her interest in history and culture Elilai was obviously drawn into Paddling Palau's newest project; the construction of a traditional Micronesian sailing canoe. As modernity has slowly crept into the lives of Pacific Islanders, the ancient arts involved in canoe building have nearly disappeared. That's all changing as a talented group of Caroline Islanders from Ifalik, Satawal, and Sonsorol joined the team. Elilai is not only learning to sail this stunning water craft but she's also mastering the skills needed to weave the sails, carve the hull, and secure the outrigger.... all using local materials.
But alas, Elilai finds herself leading a migratory lifestyle as she makes her annual pilgrimage back to Idaho. The call of the Rocky Mountains insures that she's never far from her favorite trout fishing streams and mountain biking trails. Somehow she balances the demands of a pair of unique cultures separated by more than 8,000 miles. Palau's four thousand year old history is steeped in traditions, including the First Birth Ceremony, which provides a special allure. But the warmth of a winter campfire and the mystery of a native sweat-lodge keep Elilai drawn to both sides of her fascinating heritage. Weaving her way through the rich tapestry of two cultures, languages, and customs she somehow finds herself at home wherever she travels. Whenever she departs she leaves a saddened group of friends, family, and co-workers, waiting until she brightens their shores with the next reunion.
One of her biggest thrills is hiking into the forests with her guests in search of the ancient village sites, hiding atop the rock island hills. These sites were mysteriously abandoned just over 500 years ago, yet they still hold clues as to how the inhabitants lived their lives. In fact Elilai finds herself drawn to all aspects of the cultural heritage and history. Thus it's no surprise that she's been competing in one of the most time honored sports in Oceania: Outrigger Canoe Racing. Having earned a spot on the Palau national women's outrigger team, Elilai competes on the wild seas from Micronesia to Polynesia.
With her interest in history and culture Elilai was obviously drawn into Paddling Palau's newest project; the construction of a traditional Micronesian sailing canoe. As modernity has slowly crept into the lives of Pacific Islanders, the ancient arts involved in canoe building have nearly disappeared. That's all changing as a talented group of Caroline Islanders from Ifalik, Satawal, and Sonsorol joined the team. Elilai is not only learning to sail this stunning water craft but she's also mastering the skills needed to weave the sails, carve the hull, and secure the outrigger.... all using local materials.
But alas, Elilai finds herself leading a migratory lifestyle as she makes her annual pilgrimage back to Idaho. The call of the Rocky Mountains insures that she's never far from her favorite trout fishing streams and mountain biking trails. Somehow she balances the demands of a pair of unique cultures separated by more than 8,000 miles. Palau's four thousand year old history is steeped in traditions, including the First Birth Ceremony, which provides a special allure. But the warmth of a winter campfire and the mystery of a native sweat-lodge keep Elilai drawn to both sides of her fascinating heritage. Weaving her way through the rich tapestry of two cultures, languages, and customs she somehow finds herself at home wherever she travels. Whenever she departs she leaves a saddened group of friends, family, and co-workers, waiting until she brightens their shores with the next reunion.
|
Cobi Jones
Cobi Jones was born and raised in the charming Micronesian hamlet of Medalaii. From an early age, Cobi was exposed to American lifestyle and understood the importance of his own heritage. Cobi graduated Palau Community College with his AA on Liberal Arts and he wants to continue his career as a Naturalist Tour Guide to protect his heritage for the next generation. Cobi stumbled upon a video that sparked his curiosity and inspired him to make videos about adventures and education. After investing on cameras and a quad copter, he has produced a number of videos that he is proud of. When not leading tours for the likes of National Geographic and Boundless Journeys, Cobi spends much of his time with his family and loves to document his own adventures on Palau. |
|
|
Finn Kilcullen
Finn has always felt more at home immersed in the natural world than anywhere else. Growing up in Colorado, it’s no surprise that finding beautiful landscapes, and exploring them with his siblings has always been what he enjoys the most. From a young age, Finn fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. Hiking up mountain streams and camping in the summers, or playing hooky on the snowy winter days to look for the best powder to ski. Boulder Colorado was an amazing playground to grow up in the outdoors, but it wasn’t until visiting his Mother Island during vacations that Finn knew he wanted to go back to the place he was born. |
|
At 14 years old Finn and his older brother had their first day of diving at Palau’s German Channel and Blue Corner. It was their first experience of the underwater world. Never having seen manta rays, massive schools of barracuda, napoleon wrasse, or sharks cruising over a beautiful reef, all while flying in the currents, it would be a day that neither of them would ever forget. Finn had missed Palau all along. Upon finishing school he’d move back to the island with his brothers and mother. Since being back Finn has had the pleasure of reacquainting with family, roots, and culture in Palau that were distant before.
Trading the mountains for the ocean and skis for a kayak, Finn will always seek adventure. Naturally, Finn and his brothers were drawn into the tourism industry of Palau, being a way to explore and share beautiful experiences. As a tour guide at Paddling Palau, Finn has fallen into an amazing group of people who expand his curiosities and teach him the island ways, while sharing the same love of adventure, and dreams of searching the world far and wide for its wonders.
Trading the mountains for the ocean and skis for a kayak, Finn will always seek adventure. Naturally, Finn and his brothers were drawn into the tourism industry of Palau, being a way to explore and share beautiful experiences. As a tour guide at Paddling Palau, Finn has fallen into an amazing group of people who expand his curiosities and teach him the island ways, while sharing the same love of adventure, and dreams of searching the world far and wide for its wonders.