Meet our Guides - Charleston Outdoor Adventures

Get to know our guides and captains! One of these professional naturalists will be leading you on your next adventure. All of our staff strive to provide safe, fun, and unforgettable adventures. Like someone in particular? They love to be requested!

Captain Joe Lotts

After 16 years of experience, Joe branched off to start Charleston Outdoor Adventures, LLC. Despite running the business since 2009, you can frequently find him leading trips on the water. Once you meet him it is no surprise that he has been guiding since the young age of fifteen. After discovering his passion for the outdoors, Joe obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education from Brevard College. Living in the mountains of North Carolina, Joe sharpened his kayaking and guiding skills in whitewater rivers and mountain creeks. After moving to Charleston, Joe worked in the industry mastering the skills needed to provide the best guiding service in the region.

Captain Tripp Copeland III

From Winton, NC, Tripp discovered his love of the outdoors at an early age. Spending his summers in the Outer Banks, he grew an appreciation of the East Coast and especially its waters. Tripp followed his passion to Brevard College, where he graduated with a degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. He started guiding kayak eco tours in 2003 in Beaufort, N.C. From there, he moved to Charleston where he has been guiding ever since. He has since developed great enthusiasm and knowledge of Lowcountry estuaries. Tripp’s vast experience and laid back attitude make him a cherished member of the COA team.

Captain Luke Levanchy

Luke is a native of New Jersey and has lived in the Lowcountry for 9 years. He left the corporate world after realizing that he wanted to enjoy his work every day and be outdoors. After six years of guiding for COA, he is one of our most passionate, knowledgeable captains. Luke enjoys providing fun, educational tours for locals and visitors alike. Luke is a lover of all things water and you can frequently find him surfing on Folly Beach when he is not guiding.

Cade Kaufmann

Cade was born in South Carolina where he grew up kayaking, fishing, and exploring in the creeks and marshes of the Lowcountry. His passion carried into an educational setting, studying marine biology and ecology in high school and into higher education at the College of Charleston. Cade is our go-to guide for anything paleontological, with a depth of information on South Carolina’s rich fossil history. His passion for the ecosystem and everything in it is evident in his attitude here on Bowens Island.

Captain Josh Coleman

A South Carolina native, Josh was raised in the tidal waters of Charleston. Always being an outdoor enthusiast, he quickly became passionate about preserving fragile ecosystems. During his time in the United States Marine Corps, Josh was fortunate to visit many exotic places where his love for conservation grew. Now, as an eco-tour guide, his desire is to instill that very same passion into others. When he is not guiding, Josh enjoys hiking and reading about American History. He can often be found at concerts – especially if his idol, Dave Matthews, is playing near Charleston!

Captain Joey Ammirato

Joey moved to Charleston from upstate NY in 2018 after graduating from Union College with a degree in Environmental Science. Originally from San Francisco, his passion for nature and conservation was sparked at a very young age from his frequent family camping trips to National Parks and visits to his grandparents in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. Joey is now devoted to instilling his passion for nature and conservation into others, through guiding and outdoor education, making COA a perfect fit for him. Along with kayaking and paddle boarding, Joey loves to rock climb, ski, hike, mountain bike, and do anything else that connects him to the natural world.

Alex Goldstein

Alex was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her love of the outdoors began while attending summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While pursuing degrees in Spanish and Environmental Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she spent summers working as a camp counselor and expedition leader on the Outer Banks. She loves paddling, gardening, and anything that connects her to the natural world. When she is not on the water, you can find Alex in the COA office, helping you book your upcoming adventure!

Josh “JB” Butler

Growing up in the backwoods of Landrum, South Carolina, Josh found a passion for the wildlife and mountain streams of the Southern Appalachia. Josh would go on to the College of Charleston to obtain a degree in Biology in order to make a living out of his love for the outdoors. Inspired by the likes of Steve Irwin and David Attenborough, Josh uses his platform as a guide to get people excited about ecology and the importance of conservation. When not out on the water, you can find him playing bass with bands downtown or in the woods flipping logs looking for critters.

Ali Craig

Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Alison grew up exploring the mountains and valleys of her home. Alison found her love for the Lowcountry when she came to the area for College of Charleston. She plans to major in Urban Studies with a concentration in sustainability. As an eco-tour guide she is enthusiastic about preserving the environment, connecting people with nature, and enjoying the outdoors. Off the water Alison spends her time practicing yoga, loving dogs, and traveling.

Casten Farr

Casten came COA following her passion for the outdoors to create a new career in tourism & fitness. Born in Cleveland, Ohio Casten moved to Virginia Beach, VA at a young age and fell in love with the ocean, sunshine, animals, and their way of life. She attended college at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where she played Division 1 field hockey, majored in Business Management and loved exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. Casten brings a unique perspective to COA and when shes not at work you can find her teaching fitness classes at Crunch Fitness, fishing for big reds, and relaxing with friends.

Brice Maruna

Brice grew up in San Diego, CA where she spent most of her time hiking, camping and exploring the local beaches. She studied Sustainability before moving to Charleston to teach Environmental Education. Here at COA, Brice is able to nourish her love of the outdoors and share a bit of the lowcountry with others. When not on the water or in the office at COA, you can find her doing Pilates, gardening or exploring the Charleston food scene.

Katie Gleason

Katie is originally from south Florida but moved to Greenville, SC as a kid. She graduated from The College of Charleston with a degree in Marine Biology in 2018. Katie is very dynamic here at COA and can help out in lots of different areas! Katie regularly volunteers for the South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network. She has a strong passion for dolphins and all marine animals. In her free time you can find her working out at the gym, hanging at the beach, or spending time with her sweet dog Emmett!

Ryan Hammer

Growing up, Ryan had quite a nomadic life living in Arkansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and now South Carolina. His love for wildlife and the outdoors started as a child by spending hours on end watching Animal Planet. He graduated from Allegheny College with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science. After spending the last year on fishing vessels in the Bering Sea of Alaska, Ryan is thrilled to lead tours on much calmer waters. When he’s not out paddling, Ryan enjoys exploring local breweries, playing paintball, and admiring all the cute dogs Charleston has to offer.

Erin LaBrake

Erin grew up in Stuttgart, Germany. She earned an undergraduate from Virginia Commonwealth Uninversity and a Masters Degree from The Hague University of Applied Sciences. She has spent the last few years exploring Europe and Australia, but has moved to the low country for new adventures. Getting to know Charleston’s waterways and beaches with dog Tilly is how Erin spends her free time. She also loves to ride her bicycle and create stained glass magic.

Craig Burke

Craig recently moved to Charleston after spending the last 5 years in Minnesota, where he graduated from Macalester College with a degree in environmental studies. Originally from Connecticut, Craig grew up exploring the forests of his hometown, and quickly developed a curiosity for the abundance of life around him. After spending a few summers conducting invasive plant research in college, he solidified his passion to work outdoors and continue to explore the interconnectedness of nature. In his free time, Craig loves to bike, ski, climb, camp, or find any other excuse to get out, travel, and explore the outdoors.

Alexis Bradfield

Alexis was born and raised on the Central Coast of California. She moved to Charleston in 2018 and has spent the past few years on six-month contract rotations in Antarctica. She has a degree in Recreation, Parks, & Tourism from California Polytechnic State, San Luis Obispo, and is currently working on a master’s in leadership studies at The Citadel. Alexis loves to travel and is fortunate to have been to all seven continents. Her love for the outdoors and adventure has been present since a young age, and her love for nature has only grown as she explores the world. Off the water, Alexis spends her time camping, hiking, down-hill skiing, traveling and spending time with her dogs.

Dallas Baker

Dallas Baker is a native of the greater Charleston area- growing up in and around the local waterways. As a year round swimmer, passionate surfer, avid whitewater kayaker, professional sea kayaker, and boat captain, Dallas is no stranger to the water-world. He also specializes in Ornithology, so be sure to ask him everything he knows about birds. When he’s not on the water you can find him playing in his beach driven bluegrass band Dallas Baker & Friends or enjoying all the beauty Charleston has to offer with his girlfriend and dog.