We do what we love.
This is why.
Paddle with courage.
Respect the world.
Learn for life.
Have fun.
~ Kayak Ant
Our Values
At KayakANT, we believe our values define us as people and organizations. Our values focus our work and inform how we engage with people and the world around us.
Courage …
To try new things, confront challenges or fears, even if it means failure, and then to keep trying.
To be a person who supports the growth of others, not someone who holds others back.
To make decisions that keep ourselves and others safe from physical or emotional harm.
To do the right thing.
Respect …
For nature and the world around us.
For those who came before us, and those who will follow us.
For all present, knowing diversity in culture, life experience and world view is strength that creates opportunity for growth.
Learning …
As a lifelong pursuit.
As something we gain not from teacher to student, but from one person to another, regardless of age or experience.
As something we discover inside of ‘real’ experiences, challenging times, shared adversity, shared enjoyment and in reflection on experience.
Fun …
Is vital to our life and our learning experiences, making them memorable and continuing.
Is found in the moment, is found in the storytelling after a moment, and is found in the moments we least expect.
Is worth sharing with friends new and old.
Who is Ant?
This is a guy who loves the outdoors and loves sharing it with others!
Maybe it was growing up enjoying the outdoors and paddling in Maine as a kid. Perhaps it was all that time in the outdoors leading expeditions and training in unique places around the world as a U.S. Marine. Or, it may have been passed along by friends, mentors and co-instructors in the communities he still serves like the Sierra Club, Outward Bound or the National Outdoor Leadership School.
Whatever it was, Anthony Sousa, a.k.a. “Ant,” has taken on outdoor experiential education as a lifetime pursuit. He uses a variety of teaching methods to share with friends new and old his passions for nature, having fun in the outdoors, and learning new skills to expand horizons.
Some of Anthony’s qualifications:
Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor, American Canoe Association
Coastal Kayak Camping Instructor, American Canoe Association
Wilderness First Responder
Leave No Trace Master Educator
Advanced Florida Master Naturalist, University of Florida
Lead Instructor, North Carolina and Hurricane Island Outward Bound Schools
Sea Kayak Instructor/Patrol Leader, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)
M.A. in Education from Florida A&M University, and B.S. in Education from Miami University-Ohio,
Sierra Club Outings Leader, Inspiring Connections Outdoors Program
U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Instructor-Leader for Hire
Need a highly qualified leader, guide and instructor for an upcoming expedition? Anthony could be the one you need to help make your expedition safe, fun and successful.
In addition to serving for many years as a leader-educator on multi-day expeditions, Anthony also works as a guest instructor at kayak workshops and symposiums, if that’s where you need support.
Whether you are an expedition outfitter or a private group, email us today to start the conversation about hiring our services.
Guest Instructors
No one can do it alone and that goes for KayakANT as well. Whenever possible and definitely when we need it to maintain our low instructor-to-participant ratios, we bring in additional expert paddlers to all of our programs.
Stay tuned to this site for background stories on some of guest instructors and regular paddling friends.
Want to join us? Contact us.