Linda Beltz is a L4 ACA Surf Instructor. She started her kayaking journey with sea kayaking and quickly became enamored with surf kayaking. Linda also surfs a wave ski and surfboards. She loves the energy of the sure and has a passion for teaching women surf kayaking, especially in short boats.

Linda’s passion for teaching women surf kayaking led her to be a founding member of “Surf Sirens”. She also was a founding member of Fluid Moves and taught surf kayaking with Fluid Moves. Linda has been a judge at numerous Hobuck Hoedown surf competitions, judging all classes of surfing, including HP kayak, IC kayak, wave ski, SUP, whitewater, and sea kayak.

Although Linda has surfed many type of boats, she much prefers short surf kayaks designed for the surf. She believes students will enjoy surfing the most, even as a beginner, in surf specific boats. Linda has found that surfing multiple types of craft, including surf kayaks, wave skis, surf boards, boogie boards and sea kayaks, each brings a different dynamic to the surf. It is Linda’s greatest passion that other women maximize their fun and expand their experience in the surf zone.

Melinda is deeply passionate about kayaking and coaching. Certified by the American Canoe Association as a Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking instructor and Level 3 Surf Kayaking instructor, she thrives on helping others build confidence in challenging waters. Specializing in surf and dynamic environments, she's not just about personal achievements but is dedicated to sharing practical skills. Her focus is straightforward – empowering individuals to navigate waves with confidence. In her, you'll find a focused instructor committed to creating a community of capable and self-assured paddlers. Melinda is one of the organizers of the Surf Sirens Kayaking Camp and the Hobuck Hoedown - both events held in the Pacific Northwest of the USA celebrating the surf in sea and surf kayaks.

Jameson is an ACA Level 4 Surf Kayak Instructor with a broad range of paddling experience.  She began paddling at 10 years old at summer camp in North Carolina.  In her teens, she started whitewater kayaking and whitewater open canoeing.  In college, she worked as a head instructor and trip leader for the University of Texas.  While working as an assistant buyer for Paddling and Climbing at REI Headquarters she competed part-time in Whitewater Rodeo Competitions and was eventually offered a kayak sponsorship.  She spent four years competing full-time on the Whitewater Freestyle (Rodeo) Circuit.  As one of the top 10 ranked US Women, she took 1st place overall at the 1999 Ottawa Pre-World Whitewater Freestyle Championships.

 Jameson has been competing in surf kayaking for over 25 years and specializes in World Championships. She finished 2nd in Women’s International Class at the 2007 Bakio, Spain Surf Kayak World Championships.  The US West Team had top three finishes in many of the World Championships.  Specializing in the International Class (IC) category, she is known for careful wave selection, graceful floaters, and long, sweet rides.

Living in the Puget Sound, she participates in all types of Paddlesports including Whitewater Kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Recreational Sit-on-Tops and Surf Kayaking.  She is a founding organizer of ‘Surf Sirens’ Women’s Surf Kayak Coaching & Camp and ‘Fluid Moves’ Surf Kayak Training in the Northwest.  Jameson is also the Event Manager and the Head Judge for Hobuck Hoedown Paddle Surf Festival and Contest.  She loves engaging new people in kayaking.  Jameson is the owner of a Paddlesports Distribution business in Anacortes, Washington.

Deb Volturno considers sea kayaking to be a way of life that has captivated her for more than four decades. Her passion is still driven by exploring and playing in the dynamic environment where the sea meets the shore, including surf and ocean whitewater.  She also embraces the meditative qualities of kayaking in open water. Deb has enjoyed kayaking wherever there’s water, from above the Arctic Circle to the Southern Hemisphere.  Her home waters are the Pacific Northwest of the USA and Canada. 

As an American Canoe Association Advanced Open Water Trainer/Educator (Level 5) and Surf Kayak Instructor Trainer/Educator (Level 4), Deb holds the highest certifications awarded in the United States. She instructs all levels of sea kayaking including certifying instructors at a national level in the USA.  In addition Deb is a Wilderness First Reponder, holds the rank of Captain in the Tsunami Rangers, was also a member of the US Surf Kayak Team. 

Sally dabbled for many years in kayaking until 2013 when it became a passion. She leads trips and teaches for the Mountaineers. Her learning path brought her to the ACA where she is certified as a Level 3 Instructor.

Kristy is a coastal adventurer who fell in love with the ocean while growing up in the Outer Banks, NC. From surfing waves to paddling rugged coastlines, Kristy feels herself most on the water and the beach. With over a decade of experience in sea kayaking and whitewater, plus extensive work as an outdoor educator, Kristy brings tons of knowledge and excitement to every adventure. When she’s not paddling, you can find her mountain biking or crafting up some tasty meals and treats. She is a certified ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor, BICP mountain biking, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and CPR, so you can be sure that she's got your safety covered while you enjoy the waves. Kristy is part of Dagger Kayak's Pro Team, and she's ready to make some unforgettable memories with you!

I was a participant in the very first Surf Sirens and have attended every one since. A few years ago, I began helping with the instructional side of the weekend. I have been a long time leader with the Mountaineers Sea Kayaking. I really enjoy the coastal environment. I currently hold an ACA L3 Coastal Kayak Certification. I love this event and keep coming back because the energy is so focused on passing the love of dynamic water environments to women of all abilities.

Erika is a coastal kayaker and instructor who delights in helping students develop confidence and competence on the water. Originally from the Midwest, Erika spent her summers leading canoe trips on the Niangua River and boating in the Ozarks. About the time Erika moved to the Pacific Northwest, she read Audrey Sutherland’s book “Paddling North”; inspired, Erika began an energetic pursuit of sea kayaking development, exploring much of the Puget Sound and ultimately finding her passion for the dynamic coastal environments of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Washington Coast. 

Erika has taught courses for the North Sound Sea Kayaking Association, the Mountaineers, and other organizations. She also hosts the Tuesday Skills Practice series in Kitsap–now in its second year– where paddlers come for weekly practice in foundational skills, finding connection and community. As a coach, Erika creates a deeply supportive environment in which students achieve their goals through exploration and discovery. She holds certification as an American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor.

I've been kayaking since 1996, when my late husband, co-founder of the Tsunami Rangers Eric Soares, introduced me to the sport. Although I haven't had much formal instruction, I've always kayaked with paddlers who were way better than me and in conditions that many paddlers typically don't experience even in a lifetime of paddling. Consequently, I've learned a lot. Formal classes I have taken are: a stroke clinic from Greg Barton, and 4 consecutive years of whitewater instruction on the Rogue River with California Watersport Collective, headed by Melissa deMarie. Once I tagged along on one of Eric's Open Ocean Kayaking classes where I got swept into the rocks and had to hide behind a big boulder till the waves diminished and I could get my kayak and myself back on the water. Never a dull moment. I also took two Whitewater of the Sea classes from Cate Hawthorne and Jeff Laxier of Liquid Fusion in Ft. Bragg. Finally, I read books and watch a lot of videos.

Sports are in my blood. I've ridden hunt, Western, and dressage. I fenced for Cal State Sacramento and crewed for the University of Liverpool. For a short time I was a member of a climbing club. I'm a downhill skier. I spent 27 years in the martial arts and earned a fourth degree black belt in Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu, and I'm an excellent swimmer. All these activities have supported my kayaking, and ultimately I paddle because I love the water. For the last twelve years I've edited the Tsunami Ranger blog on the website tsunamirangers.com. In itself, this labor of love has taught me much about kayaking.

Since Deb invited me to attend Surf Sirens in 2017, I've showed up every year. The event has been a great opportunity to hone my surfing skills in both long and short boats. In 2023 I was asked to join the instructional team. It is a privilege and a joy to be able to share the lessons I've learned from so many high level kayakers with the students at Surf Sirens.

Teresa’s love of challenging water and sharing it with others comes together with her 35 years of teaching experience when she works with paddlers to build confidence and skills on the water. She is a certified Level 4 Open Water Kayaking instructor with the American Canoe Association which includes CPR and First Aid certification with over 20 years of sea kayaking experience. Her passion is extended kayak camping expeditions to remote places which involve navigating surf and big water. She loves working with paddlers with different learning styles to encourage them to push their boundaries and hone their paddling skills in order to achieve their goals and explore new places.

Trina Hahn is an enthusiastic coastal kayaker and Greenland paddling instructor who is passionate about sharing her love for kayaking. Born in Washington, Trina enjoys exploring the coastal waters and rocky shores of the PNW. As an ACA L2 Sea Kayak Instructor, Trina spends her time coaching through Olympic Outdoor Center in Port Gamble, WA, sharing her joy for learning with others who are eager to grow their own skills on the water. Trina also has earned a Paddle UK Coastal Sea Kayaking Award and has an endorsement in rolling through the ACA. She delights in helping others develop confidence and comfort in coastal environments. When she isn’t teaching, she spends her time evolving her own skills further as a paddler and instructor and can be found splashing around the West Coast or in Baja chasing rocks and waves. Trina is a member of many local paddling clubs like the Mountaineers, North Sound Sea Kayaking Association, Olympic Peninsula Paddlers, and the Washington Kayak Club, so you might see her on a club paddle! Her favorite places to kayak locally are Deception Pass, Freshwater Bay and Cape Flattery.