THE TEAM

Austin Adams
Owner, Outdoor Guide, Captain, Camp Director/Counselor, Accountant, Promoter, etc.

An elementary school teacher for fifteen years and a Wilmington local for over 20 years, Austin started this business as a summer side hustle in 2015 (all teachers have a summer side hustle).  Starting with two kayaks, forty dollars, and a lot of friends nice enough to let him borrow kayaks, Austin worked really hard to make Cape Fear Adventure Company into an affordable way for families to make memories, locals to explore the area in which they live, and kids to have a great summer in the outdoors at camp!  He loves to share with our customers all of the things he grew up doing on the NC coast, such as kayaking, boating, crabbing, and exploring the marsh.  He and all of our employees are OBSESSED with you having a great time!

Certifications- US Coast Guard certified captain (OUPV), Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid

Shane Smith
Kayak Guide

Shane is a United States Marine Corps Veteran who came to the area in 2010. More recently however, he has worked as a Paramedic since 2015.  In his free time Shane enjoys fishing, hiking the local trails and playing guitar. Originally from the muddy waters of Lake Allatoona just north of Atlanta Ga, Shane has grown up on the water and would love to show you everything it has to offer.

Certifications-Paramedic, Basic life support, Advanced Stoke Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Sarah Reers
Lead Camp Counselor

• Grew up in Graham, NC 
• Current 5th-grade teacher at Forest Hills Elementary 
• A dance instructor for 4 years working with children from the ages 4-16 
• A Nanny for 4 years spending summers coordinating fun outdoor activities and memories  
• Lived in the mountains of Boone, NC where many days were spent outdoors hiking, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, tubing, and snowboarding. 
• Has traveled to 16 different countries
• ​CPR/First Aid Certified

Darryle Watkins
Lead Camp Counselor

• Grew up in Raleigh, NC
• Teaches music at Forest Hills Elementary
• Violin is his favorite, and the first instrument that he learned to play
• Current violin/viola instructor at Music and Arts
• Loves to rollerblade in his free time
• ​Huge Marvel fan!
• ​CPR/First Aid Certified

Megan Heacock
Camp Counselor

• Grew up in Ohio and moved to Wilmington 8 years ago
• 8 year teaching career in NHCS as a 2nd/3rd Grade Teacher and 6 year High School Cheerleading Coach
• Currently obtaining Master's Degree in Professional School Counseling 
• Loves sports (especially football and basketball), live music, going to the beach, and spending time with family/friends
• Favorite place is Seneca Lake, Ohio where extended family spends summers boating, swimming, fishing, and having fun!
• CPR/First Aid Certified
  

Jenny Adams
​Office Manager/Camp Counselor

Jenny is a 3rd generation Wilmington native and has spent her life on the beaches and waters of Wrightsville Beach. Her childhood memories of boating, playing on the beach and swimming, exploring marshes and islands, and collecting shells are her most precious, and she still loves making these memories with her family. Jenny finds peace and joy in the beauty of nature and in the adventure of exploring, whether at the beach or in the mountains. She enjoys hiking, gardening and collecting plants, cooking, and reading. Jenny works behind the scenes answering calls and emails, booking excursions, supporting staff, and organizing camp. She also fills in as a camp counselor when needed. 

CPR/First Aid Certified

Carolynn Pittroff
Camp Counselor

• ​Wilmington resident since 2006 
• 18 year teaching career, currently at Myrtle Grove Middle School
• Masters Degree in Education from UNCW
• Published children’s book illustrator
• 2018 District Teacher of the Year for Brunswick County.
• Free time adventuring, camping, building sand castles, shell collecting, yearly National Park visits, kayaking, boating, fishing, crabbing, birdwatching, building campfires, and art making
• ​CPR/First Aid Certified
  

Chase Werner
​Kayak Guide

Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, Chase has been enjoying the natural beauty of the Cape Fear region all his life. After graduating from NC State with degrees in business and horticulture, he started two businesses growing plants in greenhouses. After closing his second business, he moved to Wilmington in 2022 to be closer to the beach and to pursue a career on the water! Chase has been paddling vessels of all types for years and loves to share this beautiful place with people from near and far. In his free time, Chase enjoys traveling to new countries (8 so far), playing golf, and dancing salsa and bachata. 

​CPR/First Aid Certified

Riley Wells
Camp Counselor

• Grew up in Raleigh, NC

• Currently a student at The University of Tennessee majoring in Wildlife and Fishery Science.
  
• While attending school, he works for The University of Tennessee’s Outdoor Program as a Climbing Wall Attendant
  
• In his free time Riley likes to surf, fish, rock climb, hike, whitewater raft, and camp.

Certifications - Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid.

Calista Lossiah
Camp Counselor

• Calista grew up in Atlantic Beach where she spent most of her time outdoors playing sports and in the water.
• Moved here to Wilmington about five years ago.
• Being out in nature brings her a lot of happiness.
• She loves to hike, go on runs, tend to her plants, play ukulele, fly kites, and camp!
• ​CPR/First Aid Certified
  

New Guide Coming Soon!

Causes that we care ​about
A portion of our profits are donated to these great organizations