OUR CREW
Alaric (Aly) Pelka
Lead Guide
@AlyPelka
Joshua Swander
Lead Guide
@FloridaGuideJosh
Gnarly Swander
CEP (Chief Executive Pup)
@Gnarly_And_Me
Get To Know Your Guide
Q: Where is your hometown? And what’s your favorite part about growing up there?
A: I moved around a lot growing up, so I did not exactly have a hometown. As a child, I always considered home as anywhere in the world that my family and I explored together.
Q: Top 3 favorite music artists you’re listening to right now?
A: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steely Dan, The Growlers
Q: Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
A: I am skilled in herding goats and building things from scratch.
Q: How do you want people to remember you?
A: I want people to remember me by my love for life and passion in helping others.
Q: Name three words that describe you.
A: Adventurous, enthusiastic, dependable.
Q: What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
A: When I am not working, I am happiest swimming in the springs or playing a sport.
Q: Favorite place you’ve ever kayaked/SUPed at?
A: My favorite place I’ve ever kayaked is the Pacuare River in Costa Rica.
Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: My favorite snack is peanut butter with chocolate.
Q: If you were a pasta shape, what shape would you be and why?
A: If I were a pasta shape, I would be ditaloni because it is short and stumpy like me.
Q: What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?
A: I could give an hour- long presentation on permaculture/ sustainable farming.
Get To Know Your Guide
Q: Where is your hometown? And what’s your favorite part about growing up there?
A: I grew up in Citrus County, Florida. Specifically Lecanto, Florida. But I tell everyone Crystal River. lol My favorite part about growing up here would be the springs and the manatees. Also my friends.
Q: Top 3 favorite music artists you’re listening to right now?
A: Noah Kahan, Matt Maeson, Dermot Kennedy
Q: Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
A: I really enjoy photography and would say I'm fairly skilled in that. I taught myself how to play the guitar. I also built my own home PC.
Q: How do you want people to remember you?
A: I want people to remember me as empathetic, fun, and someone who serves others well.
Q: Name three words that describe you.
A: Adventurous, curious, and tad bit OCD.
Q: What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
A: I enjoy gaming with my friends, hiking, traveling, and spending time on the water.
Q: Favorite place you’ve ever kayaked/SUPed at?
A: My favorite place I’ve ever kayaked was Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii.
Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: My favorite snack would have to be a banana.
Q: If you were a pasta shape, what shape would you be and why?
A: I would be a mac & cheese pasta shell. Because they are cheesy and delicious and everyone loves them.
Q: What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?
A: The function of a film camera and how all of the different settings were adapted into a digital format and that's how we know photography as it is today.
Kristen Swander
Boss Lady
@KristenSwander