Savannah Canoe and Kayak

Mike Robinson - Mike’s contribution to our paddling community spans 30 years. His knowledge of the GA Coast is invaluable.. he has poked around on every island and hammock, in every creek and mudflat. He is your go to guy for multiday expedition trip planning. As a researcher for the University of Georgia, Mike’s work is paramount in the future ecological health of our coast. He is Georgia CARE Certified and has been guiding our waters for decades. Mike can also be found in his canoe collecting oysters and cooking them up for Savannah’s famous oyster roasts. Come and meet Mike at one of our Saturday night parking lot parties for a story and a beer!

Mayme Bouy - Born in Savannah amongst the salt marsh and air, Mayme loves to call the GA Coast her home. It’s been a decade having her a part of the SCK family. She has progressed from rookie guide fresh from a B.S. in Outdoor Education and Environmental Science to an ACA L4 Coastal Kayak Instructor and Manager of SCK. Her favorite programs are youth, large groups, and instruction.. bringing awareness, growth, and confidence to her students and to herself. When not at SCK she is instructing with Outward Bound or is hanging with her dogs in a canoe. She loves a good surf session, foraging, roller skating and hosting dinner parties.

Aaron Laurich - Prior to landing his dream job as a kayak guide Aaron was a decorated medic with a military special mission unit. He then worked for a crisis response firm. He has practiced austere medicine on six continents, provided security for an Olympic delegation, and has rescued everything from a pelican to a biscuit drowning in gravy. Aaron’s wife says kayaking might be the safest job he’s ever had. Aaron is an ACA L4 Open Water Instructor. He has a fondness for navigation and incident management. Aaron is an aspiring birder and an accomplished ultra-runner. He is a Georgia CARE-certified guide and has been with SC&K since 2021.

Mel Jones - Savannah born and raised, Mel has been splashing in our waters her whole life. She graduated from Valdosta State with a BS in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. An avid water lover and animal protector, Mel has worked with the DNR in sea turtle conservation and marine mammal strandings. While living in St. Croix, Mel promoted environmental health teaching scouts to sail, kayak, and free dive. As a guide with SC&K, Mel has introduced hundreds of people to our fascinating wildlife and coastline. Mel runs half and full day ecology tours, as well as pitching in in the retail store.

Josh Cook - Josh grew up on an organic fruit and vegetable farm in Clermont, Georgia. He moved to Savannah to split his time between guiding for SC&K and working on a local organic farm. His main joy is to be active in the outdoors, whether it be paddling, planting, hiking, dancing, climbing trees, or staring at a beetle. Josh has become a true Georgia Coast guide with knowledge, passion, and kindness that are infectious. He leads half day tours, full day tours and helps us out in the retail store.. or go and visit him on Saturdays at the Forsyth Farmer’s Market!

Allison Braden - Allison is a second-generation sea kayak guide on the GA Coast, where she also works as a freelance magazine writer and editor. She has a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and Spanish, and a Master’s in Spanish. She has worked as an outdoors guide at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at Sea Kayaking Kefalonia, in Greece. Thankfully her love of our coastline brings her back home to join our guiding and retail team. Allison is a Georgia CARE Certified guide. She is always on the lookout for dolphins and has been known to stow candy bars in her PFD. Lucky you!

Kevin Kelly - If you want to get on fish, then Kevin is your man. Fishing in our tidal coast waters requires a ton of knowledge and many hours on the water. Kevin has both. He contributes so much to the Savannah community as a rector at an Episcopalian church, and then spends his free time in his boat out on the water looking for fish. His Bayou fly fishing background set the stage for then mastering our salt water marsh creeks and beach coastline. Schedule him for a Q&A session in the shop, or book him in for a fishing trip to learn from a truly experienced fishing guide.

Anais Hansen- Anais came to SC&K as a paddling enthusiast seeking more advanced instruction. She was so dedicated that we knew we had to hire her! Anais works as weekend support staff, complimenting her full time job as an elementary school music teacher. She is also currently working on her Masters. When not out on the water or gone camping, you can find Anais playing her hand drum sub-cajon and flute in the boat house girl band.

Dawn Tanis - Dawn grew up skiing and playing in the mountains of Vermont. Since moving to the low country in 2007, she has fallen deeply in love with the ocean. This new environment has allowed Dawn to add surfing and kayaking to her playlist. She is an accomplished artist, musician, and healer/body work practitioner. Check out her main gig at Sunrise Healing Arts. Dawn assists with our half day program and summer kids’ camps.

Nick Elkins - Who says a train engineer can’t be a fantastic paddler? Nick jumped in to paddlesports feet first, and in just a few years, became a highly skilled kayaker, canoeist, and paddleboarder. He now passes this love on to everyone he meets. His enthusiasm and wide smile are contagious. Having grown up in Savannah, Nick has a deep appreciation for how special our coast is. This man pulls over for a waterway, because life is too short not to.

Liz Elkins - In between her shifts as a physical therapist, Liz grabs every moment to be on the water. Her fleet includes multiple kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.. any lake, river, marsh creek, and ocean are worthy of exploring. Liz stays fit by adding in climbing and weight training. She is a rolling fool with a warm heart. Join her on any of our half day tour programs. She might be the one hanging upside down.

Noah Lynn - Noah has perfected the art of being a college undergrad with more degree pursuits than one would think possible.. He is currently finishing with a degree in Engineering and has started his own business doing drone photography. Noah supports SC&K on our tours and as an important team member. He also stays busy helping his mom run a Savannah cemetery tour company. He is a shining example of Savannah youth appreciating and becoming empowered by our local culture and beauty.

Jackson Robinson - Jackson has grown up as part of the SC&K family his whole life, and is now a second generation staffer. The Georgia Coast is definitely in his blood. Jackson painted the building as a child, worked in the retail store as a teenager, and has progressed to be a valuable member of the SC&K guiding team as a young adult. He currently works on-board a University of Georgia marine research vessel and helps us out when he is in port. We are so proud to see his contribution to our community continue.