BOA's Crew  The guides are the best! At least that is what our guests tell us in all sincerity. We have an international team of guides from as far afield as Chile, Uruguay and Canada, as well of course as our local experts. They are all bilingual and have an extensive knowledge of Baja and its extraordinary natural history. Besides taking an enthusiastic delight in sharing their knowledge, they are genuinely wonderful, caring and intelligent people to share your vacation with.
The BOA super pangas (motor boats) are masterly skippered by local fishermen, Alvaro and his son Alvarito!, Manuel, Jesus and Mario. They are the back-bone to the BOA team. Always cheerful and their amazing boat handling skills give evidence to a lifetime on the sea. On our fully catered trips you will be delighted with fine dining as they turnout incredible feasts each day often catching and serving up 'gifts from the sea'. Many guests wish to return just for the food and seek out our secret recipes! Meanwhile, in the office you will find our bi-lingual staff Tania and Mario ready to answer your emails or telephone inquiries, to take care of your hotel reservations and to ensure each and every trip is prepared right down to the finest detail. Guides Aracely Rojas [ go top ]
 Aracely was born in Nicaragua and moved to Mexico in her teen years where she went on to study marine Biology in La Paz's nationally acclaimed university. Through her studies she has now focused her life on the outdoors and in particular, marine protected areas in the Gulf of California. This in turn, has led Aracely to participate in research projects involving coral and rocky reef systems, whale behavior and marine conservation. She frequents the ocean bottom scuba diving for work and for pleasure.When guiding for BOA she particularly enjoys watching people's reactions as they discover the abundant life in the coastal waters of Espiritu Santo Island. She interprets each kayak trip as another great opportunity to teach and learn more with every group. Bernardo Cruz [ go top ]
 Bernardo moved from Mexico City to Baja California Sur back in the mid 90's and he immediately began his kayaking career with BOA. His biology degree specializing in Mexican birds enables Bernardo to add a fascinating addition to all his trips. A hike into the interior of the Baja islands or peninsula will be rewarded by his in depth knowledge of not just every bird you may see or hear, but all the vast variety of plant life. Bernardo's devotion to Ornithology currently has him out in some remote bird hide gathering data for a non profit organization interested in the protection of Baja's beautiful natural areas and wildlife. Francisco Riquelme [ go top ]
 Francisco Riquelme is one of BOA's principal guides and he has been guiding in Baja since 2001. His 'guiding career' began by leading trips in his home country Chile. Francisco was drawn to the exquisite beauty of northern Patagonia and when not on the water he could be found leading expeditions into the Atacama Desert and into the mountains of the Cordillera de los Andes. His true love of the outdoors quickly drew Francisco to travel extensively all over Continental America, he navigated the Amazon River and hiked the entire length of USA, from Mexico to Canada, on the 2,700 mile Pacific Crest Trail. Francisco Yuen [ go top ]
 Francisco is one of our 'local guides.' He was born and raised in La Paz and has been guiding for BOA since December 2005. He also helps in a local 'ONG' focused on supporting local communities and environmental issues in the Region. This enables Francisco to fulfill one of his passions; helping with marine scientific projects by monitoring and gathering census information through the Baja California Sur's University. Francisco also has an audiovisual project for underwater wildlife film productions, social documentaries and advertisements. Being president of a young cultural movement for 3 years in the capital of the state, he has produced free public events as independent cultural promoter. He is actively involved in the organization of environmental public forums for the protection of natural local areas, and local workshops with various NGO's including the National Geographic Society. Leah Blok [ go top ]
 Leah is our token Canadian guide, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. After years of instructing on the mountains, she has now taken a liking to Baja's warm winters. Leah has a diploma in Outdoor Recreation Management from Capilano College in BC and has been kayaking since 1996. She loves being outside in any kind of weather and is a keen kayaker and rock climber. She has a profound interest in marine life and is especially interested in the Humpbacks and Orcas. Leah has been working with BOA since 2006. Manuel Rodriguez [ go top ]
 Manuel joined the BOA team back in 2002 and has quickly worked his way up to becoming one of the most experienced local guides in Baja. He was born and grew up on the peninsula and not surprisingly is very proud and passionate about Baja’s unique natural history and wildlife. Always preaching the beauty of the peninsula, Manuel allows people to appreciate the beauty from a naturalist perspective and enjoy the cultural experience that visiting Mexico represents. "This is a world vast and beautiful. I went to sea and was forever changed; all around us is a planet of different species, magnificent with grace or strangeness."- Manuel Rodriguez Mario del Angel [ go top ]
 Mario grew up in Mexico City but at every opportunity he escaped the city to mountain bike or climb in the surrounding countryside. When he finally moved to La Paz in the summer of 2006 to begin work with BOA he quickly became an invaluable member of our team. He is responsible for all the food purchases for feeding more than 60 groups a season and supports the guides and cooks with the pack up of each trip. Mario is also one of our certified taxi drivers so there is a good chance that you will get to meet him either at the beginning or end of your trip. When he is not supporting the overnight expeditions he is often out guiding one of our day trips. Mario's joy of life is infectious and will set the tone for your BOA experience! Rafael Camposeco [ go top ]
 Rafael Camposeco is an archeologist from the rural state of Michoacan. His fascination in tracing the origins of human beings in America led him to Baja California Sur where he fell in love with the beautiful contrast of the ocean and desert landscape. Following his university studies, Rafael gained an opportunity to work as an archeologist in the Sonora desert as well as in the Cape Region of Baja. He then began guiding for B.O.A. in the winter of 2002 learning not only the secrets of kayaking, but also the greatness of the Sea of Cortez. Rafael's passion for the outdoors is immediately apparent and his vast knowledge of the natural history that extends into modern day life in Baja is inexhaustible. He loves to talk with guests about the extraordinary fauna and flora and his explanation of how the former inhabitants of Baja lived off the land is intriguing - make sure you ask! Sergio Jauregui [ go top ]
 Sergio began guiding with BOA back in the mid 90's and has probably led more expeditions to Espiritu Santo Island and the southern Baja peninsula than any other guide in Mexico. Needless to say his knowledge of the local area is extensive and his wit and charm has attracted so many people to return many times to be guided by this master of entertainment! His entrepreneurial skills have led him to start his own adventure company in Baja but 'by special request' he is still known to make an appearance for our repeat guests. Alvaro Falcón [ go top ]
 Alvaro Falcon is our longest serving member of staff having dedicate over 10 years of his life to serving up fantastic meals on our fully catered trips. In fact we started doing our "fully catered" trips with Alvaro and he has delighted literally hundreds and hundreds of our guests with his fine cuisine. As a local from La Paz and with over 40 years fishing the Sea of Cortez it's no wonder many of our guests return year after year just to eat his wonderful seafood dinners, never mind the kayaking! Affectionally known by our regulars as abuelito (grandpa) or "Mommy" he brings a delightful sense of humor that enhances all our trips. Once you meet your trip head cook, you know you'll be in good hands. Jesus Fuentes[ go top ]
Jesus is another of the BOA cooks who has spent most of his life captaining boats and fishing in the Gulf of California. Many of our guests enjoy practicing their Spanish with Jesus. His sharp sense of humor keeps you guessing whether there is a language break down or he is quietly entertaining himself while preparing Margaritas or dinner for 16. He first catered for BOA back in 1996 but it was not after many more years that he quit his love of the high seas to come and work full time as master chef (ok...... and boat captain) on our fully catered kayak trips. Manuel Higuera [ go top ]
 Manuel Higuera is another of the long term crew beginning his career with BOA back in the 90's. His primary role is to ensure that each and every kayak, tent, stove (and all the other thousands of gear items) are fully functional. But you may well find him captaining one of our motor boats, servicing a van, repairing a fiberglass kayak, teaching some-one to fish, assisting the guides pack up (and clean up), checking that every trip is fully equipped, helping someone with their Spanish pronunciation and providing the essential support to ensure the success of every expedition. Mario Winkler [ go top ]
 Mario Winkler is another one of our long serving crew members and having worked along side Alvaro for years he has an amazing flair in the kitchen. He is also a fisherman from La Paz who has plied the ocean for most of his life. Mario is an outstanding boat captain and is our main 'shuttle driver' captaining our 400hp express motor launch that takes our guests to and from the island at the trip beginning and end. His safe judgement and good humor provides a totally reliable and enjoyable support to our expeditions to Espiritu Santo Island and re supply service along the Baja coastline. The rest of the crew will be added soon! |