Get to Know Our Guides and Captains!
Embark on your next adventure with one of our professional naturalists leading the way. At Charleston Outdoor Adventures, our staff is dedicated to providing safe, fun, and unforgettable experiences.
Like Someone in Particular?
Our guides love to be requested! If you’ve connected with one of our naturalists, don’t hesitate to ask for them when booking your next adventure.
Join us and let our passionate team lead you on an unforgettable journey through the Lowcountry’s natural wonders.
Captain Joe Lotts
With 16 years of experience in outdoor adventure activities like outdoor survival skills, swift water rescue certifications, AMGA top rope climbing certifications, wilderness first responder, spelunking guide, mountaineering, climbing guide, class V whitewater kayaking and instructor, raft guiding trip leader, 5th generation farmer and mechanical knowledge and knowhow under his belt at the age of 27, Joe branched off using his knowledge and experience to create Charleston Outdoor Adventures in 2009. Joe honed his kayaking and guiding skills in the whitewater rivers and Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forest where he grew up on his family farm. When he turned 18 he moved to North Carolina where Pisgah National Forest and Green River served as his daily playground before moving to Charleston, where he mastered the skills of business management and renewed his passion for natural history and wildlife necessary to provide the best guiding service in South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Wilderness Leadership & Experiential Education from Brevard College a leading higher education school in the outdoor industry. Despite his role in running the business, you can frequently find him leading trips on the water, sharing his passion and expertise firsthand. It’s no surprise that Joe has been guiding since he was fifteen, given his deep love for the outdoors. Joe dedicates himself to COA staff, wife Jordane and two boys, Jon and Jake.
Manager Tanner Malkasian
Tanner is from Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he grew up sea-glass hunting on the beach with his mother, golfing with his brothers and father, and exploring the woods in between. He then moved to Charleston in 2014 to pursue a degree in Biology from the College of Charleston. Prior to joining COA in March of 2025, Tanner was a Naturalist and guide, as well as a biologist for the SCDNR. Much of his research revolved around oyster ecosystem rehabilitation and their environmental impacts. He is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys being able to teach others about the intricacies found in the salt marsh that encapsulates Charleston. When not in the office, Tanner is either on the golf course, flying his drone around the lowcountry, or taking pictures of birds through his binoculars.
Office Manager Hannah Shapiro
Hannah grew up catching crawdads and following deer trails in the woods of Kentucky, inspired by her hippy-homesteader grandparents. She earned a biology degree from Western Kentucky University and spent time in Costa Rica working with leatherback sea turtles and researching cloud forests. After moving to Charleston and visiting a sea turtle nesting beach on Edisto, she knew she wanted to work with Lowcountry wildlife. Now part of the COA crew, you’ll find Hannah welcoming you for your tours or out exploring every wild corner South Carolina has to offer.
Captain Tripp Copeland III
Hailing from Winton, NC, Tripp discovered his love for the outdoors at an early age. Spending summers in the Outer Banks, he developed a deep appreciation for the East Coast and its waters. Tripp pursued his passion at Brevard College, earning a degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. He began guiding kayak eco tours in Beaufort, NC, in 2003, and later moved to Charleston, where he has been guiding ever since. Tripp’s extensive experience and relaxed demeanor make him a cherished member of the COA team, known for his enthusiasm and knowledge of Lowcountry estuaries.
Captain Josh Coleman
A South Carolina native, Josh grew up in the tidal waters of Charleston, fostering an early love for the outdoors. This enthusiasm quickly evolved into a passion for preserving fragile ecosystems. During his service in the United States Marine Corps, Josh traveled to many exotic locations, further deepening his commitment to conservation. Now, as an eco-tour guide, he aims to instill this same passion in others. When not guiding, Josh enjoys hiking and delving into American history. He’s also a concert enthusiast, particularly when his idol, Dave Matthews, is playing near Charleston!
Captain George Werfelman
Captain George Werfelman grew up on the marshes and bays on the South Shore of Long Island NY and now is a proud a resident of Charleston, SC. A life spent on the water in many aspects. George has been a licensed captain for 35 years, and now is a dolphin chasing, bird watching, pluff mud loving captain of the salt marsh.
Captain Chris Rapchick
Capt. Chris Rapchick grew up on James Island, running around the creeks of Clark Sound as a boy. Chris recognized that a life sitting behind a desk was not for him and spent 15 years fishing in the Florida Keys, Southeast Alaska and the US Virgin Islands. After many aquatic adventures all over the world, he recently moved back to Charleston to be close to family and plant some roots. He has tapped into his passion of showing folks the marsh he grew up in and educating them why it is so critical that we protect this incredible environment.
Captain Bo Franklin
Captain Bo is an avid outdoorsman who grew up in Clemson, SC, and spent his youth fostering a lifelong passion for the inland and coastal waters of Georgia and SC. After graduating from Clemson University with a Mechanical Engineering Degree, Captain Bo dedicated 35 years to the aerospace industry, leading technical and business teams in the development of the world’s most advanced military and commercial aircraft. Upon retiring, Bo sought a new path to create and add value. Boat captaining, safe boating instruction, and educating others on the majesty of the saltwater marsh now allow him to live his passion every day. When not at COA, you will find him “on a boat somewhere,” enjoying Charleston with his wife, or playing with his grandkids—often all three at the same time!
Captain Matt Menke
Raised in Colorado, Matt developed a deep connection to the natural world early on. After earning a degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology, he pursued his passion for the water, working as a guide and captain across the U.S. His wide-ranging experience and scientific background give him a distinctive perspective on Charleston’s unique ecosystems.
Naturalist Cade Kaufmann
Cade was born in South Carolina, where he grew up kayaking, fishing, and exploring the creeks and marshes of the Lowcountry. His passion for the outdoors carried into his education, as he studied marine biology and ecology in high school and continued his studies at the College of Charleston. Cade is our go-to guide for anything paleontological, with extensive knowledge of South Carolina’s rich fossil history. His enthusiasm for the ecosystem and everything in it is evident in his attitude here on Bowens Island.
Naturalist Wil Mayfield
Born and raised on Pawley’s Island, SC, Wil is an all-around waterman, avid surfer, and firefighter. He holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Wil dedicated six years to serving as a local firefighter and was once a semi-professional skateboarder. Among his favorite pastimes is spearfishing, and he also enjoys paddleboarding with his beloved dog, Penni. You’ll often find him at Folly Beach or exploring Charleston’s waterways, deeply immersed in his passion for the ocean and outdoor adventures.
Naturalist Jianna Wankel
Jianna grew up surrounded by farmland in Illinois, but always felt a pull toward the ocean. She spent much of her childhood foraging, climbing trees, and running around barefoot. She began searching for anywhere with an ocean and landed in Charleston in 2019 and earned her bachelor’s degree in marine biology at the College of Charleston in 2024. There, she focused on underwater soundscapes, which has since evolved into studying marine mammal bioacoustics, specifically in dolphins and whales. She loves being in remote nature, whether it’s camping, hiking, kayaking, or scuba diving. One of her favorite parts of being a kayak guide is returning to the same place every day and getting to know the true locals—especially the resident dolphins.
Naturalist Max Votta
Hailing from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Max Votta has been immersed in the vibrant coastal landscapes of Charleston since childhood. From an early age, Max developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors, fostering a profound connection with water and the Earth’s history. His academic journey led him to pursue a dual degree in Biology and Anthropology at the College of Charleston, where he delved into the intricate ecosystems of both living organisms and human cultures.
Max’s perspective was further enriched by a transformative study abroad experience in Hong Kong and Bali, where he studied Tropical Ecology and gained invaluable insights into global environmental dynamics. Now, as a naturalist with Charleston Outdoor Adventures, Max delights in sharing his wealth of knowledge and captivating stories with fellow adventurers. Outside of guiding, Max’s passions extend to travel, culinary exploration, nurturing plants, and embracing spontaneous escapades. Whether he’s traversing new landscapes or diving into aquatic adventures, Max’s boundless enthusiasm for the natural world shines through in everything he does.
Captain KD Wood
Originating from Utah and raised in Wilmington, NC, KD’s affinity for the ocean and its ecological wonders has been a lifelong passion. Early on, KD served as an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard, safeguarding beachgoers and instilling in them a reverence for the sea. As the junior guard captain, she imparted valuable lessons on ocean stewardship to aspiring young minds, emphasizing the importance of respecting marine life and ecosystems. KD’s academic pursuits led her to Colorado, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a specialized focus on Ecology and Evolution. Despite the allure of the mountains, KD’s heart remained tethered to the coast, eventually drawing her back to the shores of the East Coast and settling in Charleston. When she’s not immersed in coastal exploration or guiding adventures on the water, KD can be found cherishing moments with her vizsla companion, indulging in the art of baking artisanal bread, honing her photography skills, or engaging in spirited video game sessions with her partner.
Naturalist Mason Meredith
Mason was born and raised in Colorado where he learned about fishing and hiking at a very young age. As he got older he continued to live life with a passion for the outdoors. Growing up Mason was involved in Scouting, and at age 15 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouting allowed him to continue a life outdoors. Mason moved to Oregon when he was 10 and that broadened his outdoor experiences. Living within close proximity to one of Oregons best fisheries Mason became heavily invested in fishing. He fished for every thing he could in Oregon. This lead to his love for fishing, and pursuing a career in the outdoor industry. In 2022 Mason moved to the Florida keys to work as an outdoor educator and fishing guide. He spent a little under two years in the keys working, and during his off time he was competing in kayak fishing tournaments. Around 2020 was when Mason started visiting South Carolina and the low country. He fell in love with the fishing opportunities and wildlife the lowcountry has to offer. He settled down in Charleston during the fall of 2024 and is pursuing a career as an outdoor professional.
Naturalist Josh Daniel
Josh was born and raised in Charleston and growing up, he spent every spare minute he had on the water or in the woods. He attended three years at Bennington College in Vermont and plans to return in the fall of 2025, where he will finish out a degree in environmental science before hopefully getting a Masters out west and then working for the NPS or USFS. Back home in Charleston his main passion has always been saltwater fishing, but since expanding his horizons to the north he has delved into almost all facets of recreational outdoorsmanship including skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, birding, and even spelunking. He is so excited to spend the summer at COA and share with others the beauty of the waters he calls home.
Naturalist Jack Alexander
Jack grew up (landlocked) in rural Idaho, where he developed a love for wildlife from an early age. Since then, he has not strayed far from the ocean, exploring his passion for coastal ecosystems across the U.S. Jack earned a B.S. in Biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he first fell in love with birds while adventuring along California’s central coast. After graduating, Jack worked to conserve endangered forest birds on the island of Kauai, Hawai’i. Jack is a new resident of Charleston and has loved getting to know the area’s waters from his kayak. When he’s not on the water, you can find Jack looking for birds, cooking up a big meal, playing soccer, or enjoying the sun. Jack is beyond stoked to spend the season guiding with COA!
Naturalist Erin Burgess
Erin is originally from a small town in VA. She grew up on the water being able to go fishing, crabbing, and especially kayaking. She has a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership and has a background of working in State Parks. She loves teaching others about nature, history, and showing them the beauty of kayaking!
Naturalist Aidan Rehab
Aidan grew up on the New Jersey coastline studying marine and riparian ecology from a young age, furthering his studies at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology on the ecologically unique Sandy Hook Bay, NJ, and graduated with a Bachelor of Marine Biology in Townsville, Australia at James Cook University. He loves tying together the greater ecology of the Earth’s aquatic systems and learning as much as he can through field based study.