Dave Slover
Role: Owner
Years with Alder Creek: ∞
Dave Slover has worked in paddlesports and the outdoors all his adult life. It all started as a troubled youth sent outdoors by his parents, the passion developed and lead to work for Outward Bound in the 70’s, raft guiding and whitewater kayaking in California, Oregon, Zimbabwe and Australia in the 80’s and starting his Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe career in the early 90’s. For 14 years Dave and Suzi owned and operated All Star Rafting and then in 2004 came back to Alder Creek as owner when we bought the business from Steve, Cindy and Keith.
Time is now spent running the kayak store, sharing his outdoors passion with new people all the time. As a husband to Suzi and father of Joey he also leads scout trips for Troop 282 in Hood River, Oregon.
Dave is also an accomplished Alaskan adventurer. With a band of old college buddies the team of Whitewater Bandits have explored all over the State. Trips have included the Charley/Yukon, Alsek, Happy, Aniakchak, Kobuk, Italio and Hula Hula rivers.
Suzi Elle
Role: Owner & Human Resources
Years with Alder Creek: ∞
Suzi Elle is the glue that holds Alder Creek together. Human resources, reservations, lead coordinator at Lumpy Waters Symposium and all round leader of the team. Always positive and always looking for the good, Suzi sets the tone at the shop and for all the staff.
In her spare time Suzi is a mother to Joey, wife to Dave and outrigger paddler extraordinaire.
Meloy Ady
Role: Retail Buyer & Sales
Started with Alder Creek: 2009
Meloy Ady has been a part of the Alder Creek family since he was a child. His father, Byron Ady, is the long time book keeper for Alder Creek. Meloy was hired in 2009 at the Tualatin Rental Location, and has since moved to the sales floor of the Jantzen Beach store. In 2015, Meloy took on the role of retail buyer. He spends most of his time writing and receiving orders, helping customers and keeping the store stocked with all the awesome products you love!
E Emch
Role: Programs Manager & Instructor
Started with Alder Creek: 2013
E started paddling at the ripe age of four in a recreational kayak with their parents on local lakes and rivers and that is when they met Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. They used to take naps in their boat when out on the water and get up and start paddling again. At ten they could roll their kayak and were starting to go on longer trips. At twelve years old they started playing kayak polo with the local club that Alder Creek helped get started. Their first class through the company was when they were thirteen years old doing a Yak Attack Sea Kayaking then started working as a seasonal staff member when they were fifteen doing classes, rentals and helping around the shop, they did this every summer through highschool. After some on again/off again working and taking a couple years off they came back as a full time staff member for instruction and for working in the store in mid 2023.
In the highlight reel of their kayaking journey they were part of the US Under 21 National Team for kayak polo for two years, did sprint kayaking with the local Portland club, started SUPing about seven years ago with their partner, started canoeing eight years ago, and has done whitewater kayaking for the past five years. They also help support the Portland Kayak Polo Club and have competed in many National competitions over the years in the US and Canada. They still love all aspects of paddling in all crafts and love trying new styles of paddling.
Nathan Watt
Role: Instructor/Guide
Nathan is a graduate of the Adventure Sports Institute of Garrett College and Frostburg State University. During his time in the West Virginia area he discovered his love for whitewater kayaking while exploring all the world-class rivers Appalachia has to offer. After a few seasons of working as a tandem whitewater canoe instructor in Western Massachusetts, he traveled south to the southern region of Patagonia Chile. Where he worked as a backpacking guide, outdoor educator, and ranch hand. After settling down here in the PNW, Nathan has continued to grow as an outdoor educator by working as an instructor at Reed College for their outdoor program. Nathan has paddled internationally including Thailand, Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico. He stills considered the Deerfield River in Western Massachusetts to be his first true love. His first multi day river trip was down the Rio Grande Big Bend National Park planting willow trees while serving in Americorps.
Ty Rooper
Role: Sales & Social Media
Ty has been a casual kayak and paddle board enthusiast for most of his life, paddling up at Riffe Lake in the summer at his grandparents house. In 2022 he joined Alder Creek’s staff, mainly working in the storeroom and helping out with rentals. When he’s not at work you can find him competing in local disc golf tournaments, or paddle boarding with friends and family.
Linda Neel
Role: Instructor/Guide
Peggy Liggit
Role: Instructor/Guide
Matt Maddalena
Role: Instructor/Guide
Matt started as a 5-year old “water dog” on a boogie board at Avila Beach on the Central Coast of California. He spent many years, and every summer, playing and recreating in the local and high Sierra lakes, and along the coast of the Pacific ocean. Matt first experienced canoeing on Northern California’s Russian River with his Scout troop. He has always preferred wide open spaces and the great outdoors. During his senior year of high school, Matt started working for a local small business in Shell Beach, California called Central Coast Kayaks. It was there that his love of the ocean blossomed and he found his “home”. Matt spent the next ten years as a guide, teacher and mentor for customers of all ages and skill levels, as well as fellow employees. Matt was often requested as the lead guide for tours through the famous Dinosaur Caves along the Shell Beach coastline.
After graduating from Cal Poly with a degree in Graphic Communications, Matt started tending to Central Coast Kayak’s website and became the “go to guy” for all things involving the shop activities. Matt relocated to the Portland area with his fiancé and found a home at Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe where he has taken to everything paddle sports. Still the “water dog” at heart, Matt enjoys free diving, scuba diving and fishing.
Rod Richards
Role: Sales and Digital Marketer
Rod’s had varied roles at Alder Creek including coaching, guiding, sales and digital marketing. Today, he can be found listening to customers on the floor and offering product suggestions matching their ambitions. Or, he is publishing product content for our used and new products on our website. We sometimes hear him barking insults at the laptop when it doesn’t do his bidding!
Rod’s paddling experience is global. He’s paddled on both US coasts, spent a week sea kayaking off a Belizian atoll, the North and South islands of New Zealand, Bali’s coast, the River Kwai in Thailand, Canada’s Broken Group, the Mekong at flood right off Khon Papheng Falls in Laos, Isle of Skye in Scotland, and the unparalleled Bacuit Archipelago in The Philippines. Locally his favorite haunt is Waldo Lake.
Other passions include an unquenchable adventure travel thirst. He’s completed high altitude treks in Peru, Bhutan and Nepal. Alpine skiing has to be at the top of the list – 30 days this past season. And sailing a 55 foot sloop through the Greek islands.
He has played many roles in the paddlesports industry ranging from brand importing and brand building, organizing trade show booths, to working with overseas partners as well as business to consumer. His in depth knowledge of the products we offer is valuable in ensuring customers pick right fit for their needs. And he never tires of customers returning to the shop with tales of expeditions using our products, or overcoming challenges.
Bernhard Masterson
Role: Instructor/Guide
Time on the water is an integral part of Bernhard ‘s life. He built his first sea kayak and started touring northwest waters over three decades ago. He also enjoys ocean surf, white water, and kayak polo. For Bernhard, small boats and bicycles are elegant vehicles for exploring landscapes and the spirit of the natural world. His wood working interests have included building skin-on-frame canoes and paddle carving. A life long educator, he has taught bike repair, cross-country skiing, paddle skills, sculpture, construction and woodworking. He creates supportive and inclusive learning environments, working to meet each person’s needs and aspirations.
Brent Hodgert
Role: Instructor/Guide and Shop Hand
I am an outdoor enthusiast with much love for this amazing planet. I began my kayaking journey back in 2017 starting with white water. Began coaching basic kayak skills for Alder Creek in the summer of 2022. Suffice it to say I fell in love with the water sport and now you will also find me touring the Scappoose bay or lounging on a stand up paddle board with my partner dog to get even more water time. I worked at a daycare for many years which has shown to be an excellent practice of patience that I implement in my kayak classes at Alder Creek. Encouraged by adventure I aspire to get anyone and everyone outside on the water or wherever. See you out there.
Matt Sheean
Role: Instructor/Guide
Matt S. lives in Beaverton with his wife and 5 children. He’s a little scared of rivers, and prefers the ocean for kayaking. His day job for the last decade or so has been making comic books.
Shamus Pauli
Role: Instructor & Shop Hand
Shamus was born and raised in the pacific northwest, living in Portland for most of his life, with a lot of canoeing in his earlier years and he recently picked up on kayaking. Some of his favorite hobbies include surfing, mountain biking, climbing, and of course paddling. He can talk about any of these things for a while if you get him started. His favorite places to paddle are up in the mount Hood Forest area including timothy lake and trillium lake with friends in the canoe, whether it is fishing or just sitting in the sun it is always a blast. He is currently studying civil engineering at Oregon State University, and loves math, Go Beaves. Finally he is so excited to help all our guests whether it is teaching them how to paddle or making sure they have the right gear for your next expedition on the water.
Andrew Romanelli
Role: Instructor/Guide
Started with Alder Creek: 2010
Andrew Romanelli is a canoeist from the bountiful and calm waters of Wisconsin. The prospect of mountains and ocean has been a draw since his wee years sprouting across the pitch in the North East. Now, amidst the dynamic landscape of the PNW, Andrew is loving the plethora of paddling opportunities and developing his sea and whitewater kayaking skills. Fresh or salt, flat or white: getting on the water is always an adventure.
Other interests include camping, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cooking, eating, writing, playing music and making art. And who doesn’t like a long walk on the beach?
Dave Trageser
Role: Instructor/Guide
Started with Alder Creek: 2008
Dave Trageser (DT) grew up around canoes & kayaks and sparked his love for paddlesports on the calm waters of the Charles River in Massachusetts.
Dennis Pennell
Role: Instructor/Guide
Dennis Pennell took his first paddle trip in an inflatable kayak on a class 2+ river in northwestern North Carolina in the mid-1970s. Day and overnight canoe trips soon followed. Then in 1984, whitewater canoeing became a priority, followed by whitewater kayaking, flatwater kayaking, and sea kayaking. In 1996 he moved to Vancouver, Washington where he enjoys as much of the regions flat, white, and salt water as he can. He has kayaked and rafted many of the best whitewater rivers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and Utah, including 39 days on the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, and a trip on the Tatshenshini/Alsek through the Yukon, British Columbia, and Alaska. These days Dennis paddles canoes and kayaks of all types and rows rafts and catarafts on multi-day whitewater trips. But most of the time he is seen in a sea kayak. He works part-time for Alder Creek as an instructor and guide. Dennis feels that the Pacific Northwest is one of the best places on earth to practice this most excellent sport.
Favorite Local Paddling Spot: John Day River
Certifications: BCU Coach 2, BCU 3* Canoe, BCU 3* Sea, BCU Navigation and Tidal Planning, ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Level 3
Best Adventures to Date: Tatshenshini/Alsek River, Colorado River-Grand Canyon, Flores Island BC, Sea of Cortez around Loreto, Baja California Sur
Ethan Boswell
Role: Instructor/Guide
Years with Alder Creek: 2015
Ethan hails from the desert valleys of Arizona and grew up in the outdoors. Unfortunately, water was sparse and so he was relegated to land-based sports. That all changed when he was 14, on a trip to Chile’s mighty Rio Futaleufu where he enjoyed whitewater rafting and began to learn the art of whitewater kayaking. 7 years of progression later and finally fed up with the slim pickings, Ethan decided to make a change; and so he moved port and came to rest in the lush forests, snowy peaks, and pristine rivers and lakes of the Pacific Northwest. And let us not forget the ocean! Having worked at Alder Creek for many years now, Ethan loves all forms of paddling and continues to share his passion for the water through instructing the next generation of paddlers.
Karl Anderson
Role: Instructor/Guide
Karl loves to have fun. Surf, games, coaching… we think he likes grinning at least as much as he likes kayaking, which is a lot. Karl is a BCU coach 4 Sea and has been working with kids in competitive paddlesports in Portland.
Neil Schulman
Role: Instructor/Guide
Neil Schulman started paddling in Maine and eastern Canada about the time of Watergate, although he was barely tall enough to see over the gunnel of the aluminum Grumman he was in at the time. He started whitewater kayaking in a Perception Dancer in the Northwest and eastern Scotland in the late 1980s before plunging into sea kayaking. He likes just about anything that involves a boat, water, and wild places, with a special passion for long open-coastal sea kayak trips: he’s spent much of the past ten summers paddling the west coast of British Columbia. He writes and photographs regularly for Adventure Kayak, Wild Coast Publishing, Mount Baker Experience, Portland Outisder, and Canoe & Kayak: his work has also appeared in The Oregonian, Sea Kayaker, California Paddler. His images were used in campaign to protect Oregon wilderness, signed into law by President Obama in 2009. You can see his writing and photography at www.neilschulman.com/neilschulman2. In his “other career”, he does environmental work, and co-founded the Confluence Environmental Center, which builds future environmental leaders.
