OUR  STORY

Liverpool Adventure Outfitters Ltd. opened in April of 2003 as a small shop focused mainly on canoeing, kayaking and camping accessories. We had so much space that we used to have tents set up inside the store! Over the years, we've expanded to include bicycles, camping gear, clothing and a full service bicycle repair shop. We are now bursting at the seams, and while we still have tents available for purchase, we would be hard-pressed to find room to set any of them up!

In addition to our store, we offer kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboard and multi-sport adventures on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Belize & Costa Rica. We also offer kayak and SUP clinics and Paddle Canada certification courses in Liverpool, NS. We continue to add to our offerings every year, driven by our passion for helping people and our love of the outdoors. Welcome to Liverpool Adventure Outfitters - we would love to help you plan your next great adventure!

T H E   T E A M

Meet Your Guides

Glenn Parlee
Glenn is co-owner of Liverpool Adventure Outfitters and our lead guide for our Central America tours. He began teaching swimming and canoeing while still in high school and later completed a Bachelor of Recreation from Dalhousie University.

Glenn's love of the outdoors has led him to earn many certifications since then, including Canoe NS Level 4 Canoe, Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level 2, Red Cross Small Craft Safety Instructor Trainer, VHF Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime & Aeronautical), SVOP Certificate, Paddle Canada Instructor in Canoeing, SUP, Sea Kayaking & Canoe Tripping,  Advanced Wilderness & Remote First Aid, and NS Licensed Guide (Hunting & Fishing).

Glenn's experience, partnered with his knowledge of the areas he explores, is sure to make your tour or clinic a memorable, educational and fun experience. In his (limited) spare time, you can probably find him on stage with a guitar.

Tom Blackford
​Tom joined the team as a kayak guide in 2020 but is no stranger to the area. In 2022 Tom assumed the role of lead guide for all our Atlantic Canadian tours. His wife Suzie grew up in Port Joli and, together with their four children, they returned every summer. Now as permanent residents, they enjoy Nova Scotia's South Shore year-round.

In Maine, Tom worked as a boatbuilder and an educator. In addition to building lobster boats, he taught and eventually ran a small residential private school for boys. Leading Fall canoe trips on the Allagash was his favourite part of the experience. A lifelong interest in sailing and a more recent interest in sea kayaking was a good fit for the coast of Maine and is equally rewarding here on the coast of Nova Scotia.

Tom holds his Level II Sea Kayaking through Paddle Canada and a Wilderness Remote First Aid Certification. He enjoys sharing the experience of paddling and learning more about the local coast. When Tom is not out on the water, he can be found in his workshop building his next kayak.

Caitlin (Parlee) Nickerson
​Caitlin manages the daily operations at Liverpool Adventure Outfitters. She's been involved with the family business since opening in 2003. 

Caitlin is a certified Paddle Canada Instructor in Standup Paddleboarding and assists with our kayak and canoeing tours. She also has her Standard First Aid and CPR, her National Lifeguard certification and her Level 1 Swim Coach.

When she's not on the water, you can find Caitlin at the shop, in the office or spending time with her two children. She also hosts international students who attend high school in Liverpool, coaches the Milton Dambusters swim team and volunteers with the local minor hockey league and the local elementary school.

Bekah Craik
As a Nova Scotian-er born and raised, Bekah loves being close to the ocean. From a young age, family stay-cations often involved canoe and kayak camping trips at Kejimkujik National Park and day-tripping in kayaks in the Mahone Bay and along other south shore coastlines. 

In university, Bekah studied Environmental Studies with a focus on outdoor recreation management. Part of her curriculum included becoming a stronger kayaker and canoeist!! Bekah has also adventured on the ocean in Homer, Alaska and along the Florida Keys. Her passion for and desire to kayak more regularly has led to Bekah gaining a Level 1 Sea Kayak and Basic Kayak Skills Instructor certifications.

Since returning home to Nova Scotia, marrying a Brit, and (somewhat) settling down to raise her now three year old child, Bekah works full time in the municipal recreation sector in the Annapolis Valley.   

During the summer, when she isn’t kayaking, Bekah is an avid (though beginner) gardener. Other favourites include doing yoga, rock climbing with her husband, and in the colder months cross country skiing and teaching her kiddo to snowboard. 

Steph Walsh
Steph grew up in rural England, spending happy days walking the countryside in the rain, usually with a dog. She discovered travel and hasn't looked back. Moving to Wales for university, and travelling to Europe, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Alaska, Ecuador and the Galapagos, where she has sailed, kayaked, canoed, hiked, volunteered and worked with wildlife.

Settling in Canada, she started off in Alberta, working in AB and BC, and drove cross country with her husband in 2009 to settle in NS. Steph has worked with the environment and wildlife for over 20 years and enjoys the peace of paddling and opportunities to see wildlife from water level. 

Steph has spent time in scouts and guides, becoming a club scout leader in both the UK and Canada. She has been interested in canoeing and kayaking for many years and owns a canoe and paddle board. Steph started the certification process in 2020 and holds Basic Sea Kayak, Level 1 Sea Kayak, and Basic Sea Kayak Instructor. 

Steph really enjoys sharing new experiences with people, especially around nature, and offering the chance to paddle to those that otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity or confidence to try. 

​Wally Woodbury
As a guide for Liverpool Adventure Outfitters, Wally brings with him a tremendous amount of experience. A certified Paddle Canada Instructor in canoeing, kayaking and Standup Paddleboarding, he has also been a bike tour guide in Atlantic Canada for over ten years.

Wally has completed the Yukon River Quest twice, raced marathon canoe and has taken part in competitive adventure racing and sprint boat racing. He is also a Level 2 Downhill Ski Instructor and Coach and a Nordic Ski Coach.

When Wally's not guiding, you can find him surfing, biking, paddling, skiing, or spending time with his pup Watson.

​​Jeff Norman
​With over twenty years of kayak guiding in various parts of the world such as Belize, Costa Rica, Egypt, UAE and Nova Scotia, Jeff brings his extensive knowledge of nature and history to share with you!

His job as a school teacher has allowed him the time and opportunity to pursue his passion of kayaking and share it with others. He holds many certifications, such as Paddle Canada Kayak Instructor, ISA Surf Instructor, Swim Instructor and National Lifeguard, First Aid Instructor, Bike Instructor and more. He has coached various sports including hockey, track, badminton and soccer.