Meet The Team
Tori Ayres
Founder & Guide
ACA Certified L2 Trip Leader
I followed my heart in the summer of 2016 and made a big cross country move from Nashville, TN to Bellingham, WA. Urged on by friends who said the Pacific Northwest was a healing place, I packed up my small car with just the essentials and took a huge leap of faith. I knew I wanted to work for myself, and after much soul searching and asking myself, "What are you passionate about?", the one thing that kept ringing in my ears was kayaking. All I had to do was look on the map of Bellingham and I could see it was a paddler's paradise. There was much to learn, so I spent every moment I could of my first summer in Bellingham on the water. I can't wait to get out and show you all the beautiful places I've discovered!
Lee Hamilton
Lead Guide/Trainer
Aloha, I’m Lee. Raised in Seattle, I’ve been paddling the waters of the Salish Sea since I was a kid. My passion for kayaking took off in college, where I studied outdoor recreation management and leadership. I’ve since guided trips nationally and internationally, taught college courses, and led hundreds of people on the water. When I’m not kayaking, you’ll find me mountain climbing or jumping up and down at a music festival!
Celeste Vena
Lead Guide
Hi! My name is Celeste. Born and raised in North Carolina, I began sea kayaking five years ago while attending college in Alaska. Paddling became my passion and I’ve spent previous years guiding on both coasts. After some travels, I am now happy to call The Salish Sea my home and can’t wait to share its natural beauty with you! When I’m not on the water you can find me rollerblading, trying a new recipe, or soaking up the sun.
Teegan Oden
Camp Counselor
Hi, I'm Teegan! I made the move from SoCal to Bellingham two years ago, which is also when I joined the Dragonfly team. I'm a travel junkie, I'll swim in just about any body of water I come across, and I'm a huge animal lover. Outside of camp you'll usually find me discovering new music, dancing like nobody’s watching, or planning my next trip somewhere. I can't wait for another great summer!
Ava Mott
Camp Counselor
Hi, my name is Ava! I moved to Bellingham in the summer of 2024 after graduating from McGill University in Montreal with a teaching certification in elementary education. I'm passionate about making education fun and inclusive for every child. I love to spend time outdoors running, mountain biking, playing on the water, and camping. My experiences in my wild and beautiful surroundings have given me an appreciation for myself, the people around me, and the environment. I'm excited to join the Dragonfly Kayak Tours team as a camp counselor.
Catherine Lhamon
Flex Guide
Catherine grew up kayaking, trail running, and skiing in the beautiful spaces surrounding her home on Whidbey Island, where she developed a love for the outdoors and a passion for sustainability. She has just completed her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies at Eckerd College, where she focused on Marine Science and Sustainability. She has worked as a naturalist in Alaska, on a trail maintenance crew in the Rocky Mountains, and hopes to spend her life bringing people of all ages and skills into the outdoors. She is excited to return to the Pacific Northwest to share her love of nature with all!
Danny Pree
Flex Guide
Howdy! I’m Danny. I’ve lived near the Salish Sea my whole life and have always enjoyed spending a lot of time outside. I tried sea kayaking for the first time last summer and got hooked. I spent all my free time paddling to different islands, seeing all kinds of wildlife, and learning about the geology, plants, and birds while soaking up the scenery. When I’m not paddling, I’m usually trail running, biking, instructing skiing and snowboarding, or trying out other outdoor activities. The Salish Sea is a really special place, and I’m stoked to share my love of kayaking with you.
Madeline Brown
Flex Guide
In 2018 I left my hometown to move to a small mountain today in CO that I had never been to before. That move is what got me started on an entirely different path than what I originally planned for... one that involved a whole lot more outdoor recreation and what ultimately introduced me to the river scene. 8 years later I find myself in the same position... again, moving to a town I’ve never been (Bellingham) to pursue other water related interests! I’m excited to bring all my experience and interests to Dragonfly Kayak Tours!
Arity Sherwood
Flex Guide
Hi, I am Arity! I grew up in beautiful Colorado and have been chasing adventures out West ever since graduating from Colorado College in 2022. When not out paddling, you can find me working as a ski patrol in Utah. I'm happiest outdoors—whether carving turns on snow, paddling along the coastline, or just enjoying the view. I am excited to join the Dragonfly Kayak crew and help people have fun, memorable experiences on the water this summer!
Breanna McCollough
Flex Guide
Howdy! My name is Breanna! I am from good 'ol Wisconsin, aka the cheese state, where I grew up swimming and boating on the lakes of Wisconsin. For the past two years I have been a seasonal worker, getting people access to their local waterways canoeing in the spring and fall, instructing snowboarding in the winter, and kayak guiding on the gorgeous, all powerful great sea or Lake Superior. I am passionate about preserving and protecting this Earth, and making the water a fun and comfortable place for all. I am jazzed to share my excitement and love of the water on the Salish Sea with you all this summer!
Maygen Richmond
Camp Counselor
Maygen was born and raised in Bellingham, WA. She grew up babysitting for many families and enjoyed spending time with the kids. In her early twenties she spent much of her time traveling and exploring places around Europe and Asia. Maygen spent one month in India receiving her Yoga Teacher Certificate that she now uses to teach and assistant manage a studio in historic Fairhaven. After India, with a 2 month stop in Indonesia, she moved to Byron Bay Australia for 6 months to be a live-in nanny for a family of 5 (plus a dog and a few chickens). Maygen says that the best part about the young is they remind you how to live in the present moment. Now back in Washington, Maygen has returned to university and is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in the health sciences.