Our guides and workshop leaders possess excellent training and first aid skills to help ensure a safe outdoor experience, but that’s only part of the story. They’re chosen because of their outstanding skills and their ability to convey that knowledge.
Michael Gray
Michael Gray founded Uncommon Adventures in 1984 a couple of years after getting a degree in Environmental Interpretation at MSU. With nearly 30 years in the business, Michael is one of the most experienced instructors and guides in the country. He’s led trips all over the world including Alaska, New Zealand, Greenland, Iceland and Central America. He is an ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer and a Level 4 instructor. He also holds certifications in Canoe and SUP instruction.
Of particular note is Michael’s reputation as a phenomenal backcountry cook. Our guests often say they don’t eat as well at home as they do on Uncommon Adventures trips. Michael’s cooking presentations/demonstrations are among the most popular sessions at the country’s leading kayak symposiums, and his articles appear in major kayak publications, websites, and his cookbook!
Having taught outdoor skills and environmental workshops all of his adult life, Michael interprets wild places with warmth and respect. Email him at .
“Who says we have to let the kids have all the fun on this planet? I’d like to thank those who have shared stories, great meals and wild places with me over the last three decades. I’ve enjoyed exploring the outdoors in many ways and in many place, but I still favor the solitude and clear crisp waters of the Northern Great Lakes for a pure wilderness experience. Whether with a paddle or a fly rod in hand, this life, full of rich experience has been a gift. Come out to play with us this year… we’ve got a whole new menu of great experiences for you to choose from.”
—Michael
Lisa Deziel
Lisa Deziel fell in love with sea kayaking over ten years ago and has developed into a dedicated kayaker, coach, and guide. She is an ACA Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor and holds ACA Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Skills, the British Canoe Union (BCU) Four Star Sea Kayak, and the BCU Three Star Canoe award. Growing up in Canada, she developed a love for outdoor life and she is comfortable in sea and surf kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. Lisa has spent many years exploring the waters in the Everglades and the Florida Keys and has paddled and camped around the world, including Wales, Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, Canada, the Great Lakes, and Central America. She is also proficient in fly fishing, spending time each fall in the Yellowstone area, chasing trout and fly fishing for bonefish, permit, and tarpon in Florida and the Caribbean. In addition to paddling, chasing fish on flies is one of Lisa’s favorite activities during her travels! Lisa is currently on a leave from her academic position in the College of Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University. For information on what we are up to, please follow our FaceBook and Instagram sites.
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Jacob Weigandt
Jake has been a multi-sport adventure guide for over 15 years, and a student of nature for his entire life. Growing up in the northwoods of Wisconsin, Jake’s unconventional homeschool education allowed him to pursue his passion for the outdoors from an early age, giving him a strong foundation for his naturalist skills and a career working in the outdoors.
After college, Jake traveled to Costa Rica where he began working with Rescue 3 International, gaining certifications (and later experience teaching courses) as a Wilderness First Responder, Swift-water Rescue Technician, and Technical Rope Rescue Technician. Jake also spent time training in New Zealand as a member of the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association, where he gained certifications as a sea kayak guide, coastal life guard, and ISA surf instructor, as well as certifications as a day skipper and marine VHF operator through the New Zealand Coast Guard.
Throughout his career Jake has always returned to the Midwest to share his love of paddling on the Great Lakes. He spent 5 summers guiding on Lake Michigan and another 6 seasons guiding on Lake Superior, on the Keweenaw Peninsula and at Isle Royale National Park.
Now Jake spends his winters in Costa Rica, where he owns and operates Costa Rica Explorer, an adventure company that specializes in whitewater rafting, surfing, and canyoneering. He is excited to join the Uncommon Adventures team to share amazing outdoor experiences in some of the most spectacular locations in the world.
Jenna Padilla
A Greenland native, Jenna has been paddling with her brother Maligiaq, since she was old enough to walk. Like her brother, Jenna also has some national titles to her name and has been a guest star guide and cultural ambassador with us on two different Greenland expeditions so far. She is an ACA L-2 Instructor, speaks excellent English as well as Danish and Greenlandic. Jenna’s solar bright smile and infectious laugh open doors wherever she goes and we are proud and privileged to explore Greenlandic culture and seascapes with her.
Suzi Beaumont
Suzi Beaumont is our Webmaster. While she is inspired by web design and spends long hours at the computer, Suzi’s connection with Uncommon Adventures is the “adventures” part! In her previous career in university outdoor education, Suzi logged 12 years in a leadership role on adventures that included caving, rockclimbing, backpacking, whitewater and paddle touring. She founded Georgia Tech’s sea kayaking program, and has led paddling trips to the sea islands of coastal Georgia and the Carolinas, as well as the mountain lakes of the southeast. Nowadays, Suzi is a freelance web designer who works from her home in North Georgia. Her company is BeauCreations Web Design.