Our Leadership Team

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 John, the youngest of 5 siblings, spent summers at the family cottage and canoeing in Algonquin Park in the early years. His teen years were spent in Lynn Valley, North Vancouver mostly getting into trouble but always adventuring into the bush. His working career began in construction which led to numerous different places, including an international stint in West Africa teaching carpentry.

John went on to lead “Court-ordered” Young Offenders into the wilds of Howe Sound for a decade and continued one-to-one youth probation work in Squamish. John’s vision for engaging his clients in community projects, tied to the non-profit sector, was so successful that he was nominated for Citizen-of-the-Year locally and for the Premier’s Award provincially.  He co-founded the Squamish Trails Society which facilitated many projects.

As a rock climber, John was also intimately involved in the development of the Smoke Bluffs Park, instrumental in many projects such as the Playpark with Biennale sculpture.

As an active whitewater canoeist, John saw the need to regain access to the Mamquam River and thus began his plan to fundraise monies from the paddling world to repair the washed-out road and thereafter, the creation of the Mamquam River Access Society (2008). See MRAS history to get a sense of MRAS's further accomplishments.

 Pierre is a Sea-to-Sky local since 1968, having grown up in Whistler, schooled in Pemberton, and now residing in Squamish since 1990. He grew up feral and likes to keep it that way - a bioregionalist at heart - with a deep connection to place. Whether it is work or play, he is generally in the bush: as a dirt-guy, or geomorphologist specializing in earth history and landslide hazards, he has explored every nook and cranny in the Squamish-Lillooet area; and if not for work, then backcountry skiing, sea-kayaking, biking, hiking, climbing; doing outdoor things that keep one connected to nature. He lives not too far from Mamquam River and has found solace in River walks and has several favourite spots for taking invigorating dips (watch out for the nude guy with the beard). The dike by the campground is part of a regular circuit, and for years the land in behind was an abandoned industrial site overgrown with weeds, impenetrable, a place to bypass and avoid. So what the campground represents, the vision, is an expression of commitment to place, a revitalization and renewal, and finally a gift back to the larger community, a return. Now others who come to Squamish to experience the “adventure capital" can find inexpensive and rustic camping in the heart of town: enjoy. 

Elspeth is a Kiwi-born Canadian who came to BC to ski on a working holiday in the 1980s. After years of living off-grid, Trail-running, hiking, back-country & Nordic skiing, she found herself working at a Mamquam River hydro-electric plant, where she met John Harvey working on river access.   She helped raise funds for MRAS from movie companies and, in 2017, volunteered for a few months, building campsites in the forest at the campground.   

Having grown up tramping in New Zealand where the 980 huts and many tracks make tramping a popular pastime and recently as a bicycle-tourist & sea-kayaker, Elspeth appreciates MRAS’ provision of a campground and other facilities aimed at outgoing people who want an affordable, accessible and friendly campground to use as a base from which to explore the many charms of the Squamish area.  MRAS’ No Trace camping fits nicely with the NZ Hut use ethic: “leave the hut cleaner than you found it”

Paul Carus, born in England, educated in Scotland both academically and in outdoor adventure pursuits. Kayaking was my main sport, and when in Canada in the mid nineties a buddy introduced me to a nighttime play session on a Mamquam wave under the spotlight of the power plant there was no turning back. My raft and kayaking guiding introduced me to Swiftwater rescue work and I started teaching for Raven Rescue in 2010. I’m proud to have been a member of Pemberton Search and Rescue since 2008

I’ve been lucky to swim in rivers from most provinces, from the endless daylight of Northern Nunavut, and Inuvik, to under road bridges in Surrey. Mega projects like site C, to the truly unspoilt territories of the Heiltsuk Nation. Helping to train folk from all backgrounds to work and play safe in and around moving water. Working with dedicated emergency responders, talented private boaters and wilderness guides, talking with highly educated field service workers and fisheries biologists who are saving our key species salmon.

The Mamquam Whitewater kayak site is a privilege, my second home, and is truly a very special place. Every time I’m in that little paradise I’m grateful of all the efforts been made to ensure we all have access and happy to be part of the MRAS team.

Kai Friele was born and raised in Squamish, just a short walk from the Mamquam River. From ditch-snorkeling flooded tributaries to family walks, biking, hiking, climbing, and paddling, the Mamquam River watershed undoubtedly shaped Kai’s upbringing. Needless to say it holds a special place in his heart.

With kids attending the same French school in Squamish, Kai’s dad and John struck up a life long friendship. The two families would go on annual trips and gather on special occasions. John also happened to be Kai’s bus driver and the coolest bus driver at that, blaring reggae down the streets of Squamish. This means that Kai grew up hearing John’s vision and witnessed the origin of MRAS.  

Naturally Kai became involved with MRAS in 2020, realising the value of grass-roots, volunteer-led efforts and the significance of John’s impact and vision. 

As a Squamish local, whitewater paddler, and naturalist Kai values his MRAS board position as an opportunity to give back to his community and to be a spokesperson for both paddlers and the Mamquam River Watershed.

 Maddy Loewen has called Squamish home for a little over two years now, but she has already made a place for herself in the whitewater community. Born in Ottawa, she learned backcountry camping and snowboarding, finding her place in the wilderness. Squamish was just the next step to learning whitewater kayaking. Here, she brought back the Mamquam Meltdown, a whitewater slalom race. Joining the board was just the next step to ensuring access continues on the Mamquam River.