Galen Licht

CEO & Owner
Paddling South

Galen has been paddling since early childhood and brings a rare combination of elite skill, environmental literacy, and grounded leadership. A former world champion surf kayaker and professional whitewater kayaker, he holds a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz.

His work has taken him from climate research in Peru to leading 30-day expeditions with NOLS in Alaska. He has taught leadership to naval cadets, corporate executives, and youth across diverse communities.

Today, Galen lives aboard a 36-foot motorboat in Sausalito with his partner Kiki and their son Clavey continuing a life shaped by water, exploration, and stewardship.

Steve Hayward

Director of Baja Programs
Sea Trek & Paddling South

Steve has spent more than 25 years guiding, building programs, and mentoring teams at Sea Trek and Paddling South. His paddling life spans the fjords of Chile, the glaciers of Alaska, and the tropical coasts of Belize, Honduras, and Baja.

For over 15 years, he has directed our Baja programs shaping trips that balance adventure, culture, and discovery with calm, thoughtful leadership. Steve has also designed inter-island stand-up paddle expeditions along our classic kayak routes and is deeply fluent in downwind paddling during the powerful El Norte winds.

His connection to Baja runs deep and guests feel it immediately.

Antonio Hernández

Lead Guide & Co-Owner
Loreto Kayak Tours

Born and raised in Loreto, Antonio (known to guests as Toño) brings boundless energy, warmth, and local pride to every trip. A lifelong athlete with a degree in sports education, he has been shaping guest experiences with Paddling South since 2007.

Toño’s humor, musical talent, and infectious enthusiasm make him unforgettable. Many guests request him by name when they return. A reflection of the joy and care he brings to every journey.

Jorge Salas

Lead Guide & Co-Owner
Loreto Kayak Tours

Jorge has been guiding in Loreto for over 25 years and combines deep professional training with an educator’s heart. A graduate of R.A.R.E. and recipient of a NOLS Baja Guide Scholarship, he teaches Alternative Tourism at the local university training the next generation in kayaking, hiking, birding, and Leave No Trace ethics.

On the water, Jorge’s knowledge of Baja’s ecology, geology, and wildlife transforms each paddle into a living classroom. His calm presence and welcoming spirit embody what Paddling South stands for.

Adrián Murillo Higuera

Boat Captian

I was born and raised in a fishing village called San Nicolás. My whole family works in the fishing industry, and I followed in their footsteps. It's what I learned, and I really enjoyed fishing. I did it for many years until one day I had the opportunity to take some courses with the NOLS school. I took them, and from then on, my perspective changed a bit, and I started to learn about the life of kayakers, which really caught my attention. Then I had the opportunity to go on trips with LKT, and I learned a new way of working and being close to the sea. For me, the most beautiful thing is being close to the sea. I really enjoy my job, I love it, and I would like to do it for as long as I can. I started in 2011 with my first trips. I've been doing this for 14 years now, and I still love my job.

Mariana Ledezma

Guide

I was born in Mexico City, but it was in Baja California Sur, where I lived for eight years and studied Alternative Tourism, that I truly found myself. Baja is where I fell in love with nature, with the desert meeting the sea.

Salt water is my element. Sea kayaking became a natural extension of who I am: a gentle, silent, and respectful way to explore the coastline and connect with wildlife. Over the years, I’ve grown into an experienced guide with a strong knowledge of the Gulf of California, its rhythms, its moods, and its hidden places.

Today, I live in Canada, working as an international trekking and sea-kayaking guide. I’ve guided in places as diverse as Mexico, Panama, Greenland, and Papua. But no matter how far I travel, Baja always calls me back. It’s home for me: spiritually and professionally.

David Bugarin Fuerte

Guide

The New Panga

Skiff Support