Guide Bios

Ilene Price

In West Philadelphia born and raised (sing it if you know it!). . . I’ve been enjoying summers sea kayak guiding in Valdez with Anadyr Adventures since 2011. I must really love it here:) I received sea kayak guiding certification in British Columbia, Canada, and have since became a certified kayak instructor.

Eastern Prince William Sound is one of my favorite places to paddle. No matter how many times I visit places like Glacier Island, Columbia Glacier, and Valdez Glacier I am amazed and humbled by the beauty, the wildlife, and the ice. I’m excited to share with you these spectacular places!

I spend my winters thawing out in the Caribbean of Panama, where I continue to sea kayak guide in the San Blas Islands. Visit my website and blog www.ileneinakayak.com to learn more about me and to see photos from these wonderful places.

Kaden (Bagel) Addler

Having lived on the sandy gulf beaches of Florida and up in the mountains of western North Carolina, I went on a quest to find the perfect combination of land and sea and Valdez definitely fits the bill.

After spending six months exploring and paddling in Chilean Patagonia, my passion for paddling and exploring the natural world grew to a point where I could do nothing to subdue my desire for more adventures and so I drove northwest to the most beautiful place I could imagine.

I am ecstatic to get to show you the breathtaking coastline of Prince William Sound and take you closer to things you wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience in quite the same way without a kayak.

Many of us, as humans, have lost our depth of connection to the natural world all around us and I hope that on your trip with us, you can rekindle this instinctual connection and feel a bit more at peace and also more aware of this planet we call home.

Aidan Shafland

Aidan grew up exploring the wilds of New York City, Rome and Central Scotland. Now he spends his summers exploring the wilds of the Prince William Sound. Sharing the beauty of our nation’s wild places has been a passion that he’s been lucky enough to turn into a profession. When not guiding people around the beauty of the Valdez area he can be found teaching children about nature in California, cutting trails in Colorado, or relaxing on the beach in Panama. As a certified sea kayaking instructor, a Leave No Trace master educator, a Scottish Mountain Leader and with a degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education, Aidan is joining us for his 6th season and couldn’t be more excited to step into the role of Guide Manager and continue to share his knowledge and love of the sound with anyone who’ll listen.

Jay Swartley

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Jay has spent his life playing outdoors. Spending early childhood summers canoeing and fishing on the Delaware River and high school years kayaking on local lakes and rivers. Snowboarding and mountains became a big part of his early adult life and he soon moved west to the Sierra Nevada to chase bigger adventure in larger mountains.

Chasing the dream of the greatest skiing and snowboarding on the planet initially led him to Alaska and the Chugach but it’s the lifestyle and the people that kept him coming back for more. Working as a ski patroller and a fly fishing guide along with many hours splitboarding in the Chugach eventually led him to his first job in Valdez as a ski/snowboard guide. The most rewarding part of guiding to him is hearing things like “best day of my life” or “experience I’ll never forget” from his clients, that’s what keeps him going everyday.

Jared Martin

I’ve lived on the tropical beaches of Maui, run through the Hudson river valley, climbed the Sierra Nevada and visited the temple in Jerusalem. But I have finally found the holy of holies here in Valdez. My journey began 3 and 32 years ago in Oakland CA. Through the public school and transit systems I learned to navigate harsh environments and find connections with people in unexpected places. As my hair and beard have grown I’ve taken these skills from the concrete jungle into the wild places of North America. I enjoy reading the landscapes for deep history and meaning. Here in Valdez I am lucky enough to be able to take fellow wandering souls out to the glaciers and bays of PWS to observe the awesome power of mother nature in her raw and pure form. Jared is a level 2 ACA certified kayak instructor as well as a Wilderness First Responder.

Samantha (Sami) Schafer

Originally hailing from Emmaus, Pa, Sami is a rock-loving, outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from Bloomsburg University with a BS in Geology. She also spent nine years working as a river guide in the Poconos of Pennsylvania until she began traveling the US. She worked in Vail, Colorado in 2015 and the next summer landed in Valdez. She and her partner Kaden (Bagel) have fallen in love with Valdez and are here to stay! She is a Level 1 and 2 ACA Instructor as well as a Wilderness First Responder and returns for her 5th season with Anadyr. Her love of exploring beautiful places and bubbly personality will certainly entertain you. THIS GIRL ROCKS!

Lindsay Gerrity

Lindsay manages the office, answering all your questions and keeping things organized and running smoothly. She is originally from the great state of New Jersey. After getting a BS in biology from James Madison University in Virginia, she entered the world of outdoor education. She loves the outdoors and traveling to new places, so when the opportunity arose to see Alaska, she went and has returned to the beautiful town of Valdez every summer for the past three years. She spends the rest of her year working as the assistant director of a non-profit that gets students in the San Francisco Bay area outside. Lindsay is excited to help get people outside exploring and to hear about all their wonderful experiences!