Our Staff
"The staff at Chrchill River Canoe Outfitters are not just my employees, they are also my family," says Ric Driediger, owner and operator.
"Canoe outfitting is a people business, and good service begins by surrounding yourself with people who love what they do."
"I take great pride in the professionalism, dedication, and skills of all my staff members, and I admire their love of the north and the canoeing lifestyle."
Dan Driediger Since the summer of 2010 Dan has been guiding canoe trips, often for school groups. Some people might mistake him for a quiet person, but get him talking and he can tell you more about northern Saskatchewan than you might first anticipate. Dan is certified by Paddle Canada in the areas of Canoe Tripping and Lakewater Paddling and has passed private courses in white-water canoe tripping. He holds certification from the Canadian Red Cross in Wilderness and Remote Areas First Aid, and from Rescue 3 International and Raven Rescue as a Swiftwater Rescue Technician. As a full time staff, Dan is also involved in many other activities around the outfitter. This includes motorboat tours of the lake, driving shuttles, and maintenance to name a few. During the winters Dan is a student at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. Here he takes courses involving third world development and international politics. Heidi Seida E Heidi met Ric Driediger in her former capacity as Recreation Director for theSaskatchewan Canoe Association, (now Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan). Upon learning of her wilderness cuisine culinary skills, Ric recruited Heidi to CRCO. Our guests have been enjoying her savory delights under the Northern Lights for the past twelve years. Heidi's knowledge of dehydration techniques and canoe-tripping recipes comes from her experience on the water. She is an accomplished canoeist and guide, holding Canoe Tripping II, Lake Water I, and Flat Water Instructor certificates. She has spent a great deal of time on the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers, and travelled the waters in the Prince Albert National Park, the Gieke River, the Thlewiaza River and the Thelon River. When time allows, she explores Otter Lake, parts of the Churchill and north of the Churchill. "Anybody can go out in the wilderness and be uncomfortable. It takes a little thought and finess to be comfortable. I like to try out new ideas and recipes by field-testing them on a trip before I offer them to our clients." There's nothing like enjoying one of Heidi's gourmet wilderness creations beside pristine waters, with a loon calling in the background, after a long day's paddle. There isn't a Five-Starrestaurant in the world that can offer that! Timothy Dueck Now in his fourth season, Tim has become a strong paddler with a love for white water. He taken courses in white water paddling, and is certified by Paddle Canada in Lake Water and Canoe Tripping. Tim has also pursued his interest in rescue and medicine by becoming a Swiftwater Rescue Technician certified by Raven Rescue and Rescue 3 International, a Wilderness First Responder certified by Wilderness Medical Associates, and working as the lead Ski Patrol/First Aid Personell at a ski hill in Manitoba. Nick Bergen Nick is certified by Paddle Canada in moving water and canoe tripping, by Raven Rescue and Rescue 3 International as a Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and by The Canadian Red Cross in Wilderness and Remote Areas First Aid. He very much enjoys paddling whitewater and also has a love for rock climbing in the mountains. Nick spends his winters at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg taking Maths and Sciences. He has a passion for music, and spends a lot of time playing his cello. Sarah Driediger Sarah is in Grade 12 at Rosthern Junior College. She is easily recognized by her big smile and if you go down to the CRCO dock in the evening, she may be paddling her little red canoe. Kevin Schultz Kevin grew up on the water, his father teaching him canoeing skills as a young boy. His love of nature, the canoeing lifestyle, and guiding give him the desire to go anywhere, anytime in a canoe. "This is no job.....it's as good as it gets! It's hard for me to call our guests clients. Most of these people end up being my friends. They're like me. They know you can't have an adventure sitting on the couch." Kevin is a certified Master Instructor and Instructor Trainer inMoving Water, Canoe Tripping, and Lake Water. He is also an excellent angler, and has mastered chasing trophy Northern Pikeon the fly. To say Kevin is a character is an understatement. He will talk your ear off, but if you take the time to listen, you will most certainly learn a lot. Kevin's reputation makes him a highly sought-after guide by first-timers, as well as the long list of returning customers who desire to take another trip with him. Sheila Archer Shelia is an avid paddler, holding certificates as a Moving Water Instructor, and a Lake Water Instructor. She brings with her a wealth of canoe tripping experience, and has explored many of northern Saskatchewan's canoe routes. She has always been dedicated to inspiring women to become involved in the paddling lifestyle. To this end,Sheila was instrumental in establishing programs and trips geared to teach females outdoor skills. Sheila states, " If I have helped the cause of providing women with paddling skills and nurturing their interest in the outdoors in any way, the energy has been well-spent." In the winter months, Sheila lives in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, with her husband, where she is a genetics researcher, consulting to the University of Tampa, University of Saskatchewan, andUniversity of Kentucky. Sheila's love for the outdoors, keen sense of organization, and warm, outgoing nature combine to make her the perfect person to "keep the wheels turning" at C.R.C.O. Jimmy MacDonald Jimmy spent 2004 living and working at Churchill River Canoe Outfitterswhich started his guiding and instructing career. He is now around on a part-time basis whenever we can fit him into the schedule. In order to fully indulge his appetite for a paddling fix, Jimmy works during the winter months in Central America teaching whitewater canoeing and guiding kayak trips. If you don’t find him in up at Missinipe then he is likely teaching the British Army to paddle around the world. Jimmy’s paddling experience in Saskatchewan includes the Fond-du-Lac, Porcupine,Clearwater, Paull, Weaver, Tazin, and Abitau Rivers just to name a few. Outside ofSaskatchewan he has a list of rivers as long as his arm covering most of Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Ecuador, and Belize. Jimmy’s life is focused on the water and he holds a Master’s degree in Hydrology along with being a Paddle Canada Instructor in Moving Water and Lakewater Canoeing, Level 2 Sea Kayaking, and River Kayaking. Further to this Jimmy is trained as a Wilderness First Responder, and a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. Colin Frey Colin works for quite a number of organizations throughout the year. We are very fortunate to have him with us for many weeks during the summer. His knowledge and skill inspire both the staff and the guests who are fortunate enough to have him as an instructor. Colin lives with his wife in Pense, Saskatchewan (near Regina). He's easy to indentify. He's the one wearing the T-shirt that says "Renewed by Nature". Chris Wall Chris started his canoeing career by paddling from here to the coast of Hudson Bay. That was back in the mid 90s. Even though the trip was tough, it inspired him to keep paddling. He is an awesome guide and an exceptional white water instructor. He is also a white water instructor for the Madawaska Kanu Camp in Ontario. When Chris isn't paddling he works as a doctor in Saskatoon. He lives in Saskatoon with his wife, Sue and two daughters Anna and Heidi. Derek Birkham Derek’s 15 plus years as a high school teacher in Saskatchewan have been filled with planning and leading students on a multitude of canoeing, hiking, and backcountry skiing expeditions in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Derek loves to share ideas with fellow teachers and outdoor leaders. These conversations often come around the campfire in the evenings, but can also take the form of professional consulting services on leadership, expedition planning, gear management, and safety protocol. Derek’s personal canoeing resume includes dozens of routes throughout Saskatchewan. Favorite paddling experiences include tripping on the Clearwater and MacFarlane, racing from La Loche to Cumberland House in the 2010 Canoe Quest, play-boating upstream from Otter, paddling Canadian style in any quiet bay, and experiencing the grandeur of the Churchill system. Derek’s paddling experience also includes tripping the “swift glacier blue” of the North Saskatchewan (in Alberta) and the Hood River (in Nunavut). Derek’s top two favorite portages are the Methye (“I loved the climb out of the Clearwater valley.”) and the Wilberforce canyon on the Hood (“ferrying the wind was great fun”). Derek is a Paddle Canada Moving Water, Canoe Tripping, and Lake Canoe instructor. He is also certified by Raven Rescue and Rescue 3 International as a Swiftwater Rescue Technician. A keen eye for safety and balancing between fun, relaxation, and challenge are a foundation of his guiding style. Derek is passionate about helping people attain their paddling goals. “Come and join CRCO on the water for an unforgettable summer adventure!” 
Dan, being the son of Ric and Theresa, grew up a part of Churchill River Canoe Outfitters and has been paddling his whole life. He has local knowledge of the area that goes far beyond his years.
ating well and travelling light are two key elements for an enjoyable paddle in the wilderness. Heidi, our Food Manager has spent a large part of her life studying food preparation and dehydration. Born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, Heidi has always been an avid canoeist, four-season camper, and cross-country skier.
As well as preparing tasty fare, Heidi carefully considers the nutritional needs of each party she supplies. She is always looking for new ways to provide clients with the extra calories they need on the water and to replace the fats lost in the dehydration process.
Tim joined the CRCO staff in the summer of 2009 based on a recomendation from Ric's son Dan. Growing up, Tim had spent a large portion of his summers camping with his family and jumped on the opportunity to work in the north. His first year he was employed clearing portage trails in the McLennan Lake area and the second year he began guiding, working maintenance, driving shuttles, and working in the office.
Nick grew up on a acreage near Sherwood Park, Alberta. He came to Missinipe for his first canoe trip in 2005. Since then he has begun spending more and more time at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. In 2009 he started full time clearing portage trails in the McLennan Lake area with Dan and Tim. He has been working here every summer since doing things such as guiding, driving shuttles, working in the office, doing maintenance, and instructing.
Sarah was born and grew up at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. She has always said she feels she was born into the wrong family because she doesn't like canoeing. But you should see how excited she gets with she does a perfect jet ferry in a set of rapids or the passion she feels for paddling solo in her little red canoe. Sarah enjoys working in the CRCO office. Her inherited knowledge of the area has helped many guests plan their canoe trips.
Kevin spends most of his time in the outdoors, guiding at CRCO in the summer, and spending his winters as a ski instructor in the mountains. He is a fixture at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. In the twenty-five years he has been guiding for Ric, he has paddled the Nahanni, the Seal,McLennan Lake area, the Paull, the Foster, the Fond du Lac, the Gieke, and the Clearwater, and the list goes on...... He is a walking encyclopedia of canoeing, canoe routes, local wildlife, flora and fauna, and anything else connected to the outdoors. Kevin is always willing to share his experiences with clients, or anyone who drops in at the office. His out-going nature and refined skills make him the kind of guide clients love to spend time with.
Sheila has been working at C.R.C.O. since 1988. She spent the first decade as a full-time employee, guiding and instructing clients. The next ten years saw Sheila working at C.R.C.O on a part-time basis, acting as an instructor for our Canoe Clinics. In 2009, Sheila returned as a full-time summer employee, overseeing day-to-day office operations, and making certain our guests receive her fullest attention.
Jimmy can’t get enough of paddling; plain and simple he has been described as a rapid junky. At an early age he was challenged to paddle a new river each year and has been holding up his end of the bargain so far. His first love is canoe tripping but if it floats he will paddle it…
“I don’t care how nice it is anywhere else, the Churchill River is the best paddling ever. Period! The rapids are warm, fun, not crowded and challenging enough for any level of paddler.”
Colin has an intense love for the outdoors. He is a full time, year round, wilderness leader and instructor. There are very few things Colin is not an expert in. Do you want to know the name of a plant and it's medicinal properties or how to prepare it for food - ask Colin. Do you need to build a fire and your matches are wet - where's Colin? (He has gone more than a year now without using a match or lighter to start his camp fires.)
Derek’s passion for northern Saskatchewan must have developed from birth. For as long as he can remember the boreal forest has felt like home. The Churchill River has fascinated him since childhood. Countless childhood hours were invested exploring on the huge slabs of rock on the river right shore of Otter Rapids. The sights, sounds, and smells of the Churchill River were permanently imprinted in his being. Derek currently lives with his wonderful wife in a cabin overlooking the headwaters of the Churchill River system.
Derek’s guiding and instructing background is strongly influenced by his 20 years as a coach in various sports and extensive mountaineering experience. Derek has always enjoyed a “frozen river”. As such, he has invested many seasons climbing classic alpine routes and traversing networks of glaciers in the Canadian Rockies. His mountaineering pursuits include an arctic glacier traverse on Baffin Island and a first ascent attempt in the remote Centennial Range in the Yukon.
