Woodsmoke's Partners and Associate Instructors

Woodsmoke Partners and Associate Instructors

Anna Paraiyar is an ethnobiologist, ethnobotanist and a professional freediving athlete. Anna first met the Woodsmoke team in 2007, when she and Woodsmoke founder Lisa Fenton completed an Ethnobotany MSc together. Since then Anna has completed many Woodsmoke courses and has a particular interest in plantlore and wild foods. Anna’s love of wild places, ethnobotany and indigenous culture’s has come together in her passion for ‘freediving’.

Anna has surpassed the British record for Static Apnea (motionless, breath hold face down in water) achieving a breath hold time of 6.53 (the current British record is 6.03 and the world record is 8.23), She has a constant weight (swim down and up with bi-fins or mono-fin) depth of 65m. Anna teaches freediving in Dahab, Egypt, and is AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) 2, 3 and 4 star qualified and has also completed a two month masters course in freediving with Blue Immersion. Anna trains for her own freediving alongside her teaching activities and

believe’s that freediving is a fantastic way to immerse oneself into the natural environment - in doing so one gains a deep sense of peace and tranquillity with great meditative benefits.

Anna says “Freediving is not about depth and time, and an approach focussed on this will rarely lead to the ultimate gifts of freediving. Having studied ethnobotany, I really wanted to examine the traditional side of freediving- how this activity is used and understood by those

surviving on marine and coastal resources, such as the Moken Sea Gypsies of South East Asia. I am interested in traditional activities both in and near the water, and in examining both marine knowledge and botanical knowledge of coastal zones or other aquatic/terrestrial habitats. Also, how the dive is regarded in sacred/spiritual/cultural terms. I like the idea of really understanding what it is to be in a place, to have a higher sense of place and landscape- to feel a place.”

Anna is currently working closely with Woodsmoke to design several expeditions that bring together freediving, canoe/kayaking, coastal foraging, spear fishing and buscraft/camping.

Alexandra and Garrett Conover of North Woods Ways are renown Maine Guides, authors and experts in both winter and canoe travel. They have many published articles and have spent up to 4 months at a time traversing the frozen lands of Labrador; unsupported and pulling everything they needed to sustain themselves on traditional wood toboggans. Ultimate pragmatists, they use what works best, and having tried equipment both ultra modern and traditional, they have found that it is the use of more traditional outfit that really lends itself to longer term travel in wilderness.

Ben McNutt and Lisa Fenton first teamed up with the Conovers in the winter of 2008, and will be conducting their 3rd trip with the Conovers in Jan 2010.

Alexandra S. B. Conover has been exploring the woods and paddling rivers since childhood. A registered Maine Guide since 1978, she has introduced many people to the rivers and woodlands of Maine and Labrador.

In 1977 she received a degree in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic. Her interest is in helping people acquire skills to travel self-sufficiently and in harmony with the natural world, as well as integrating the spiritual elements of humans and wilderness. Alexandra handcrafts North Woods paddles, based on a pattern used in this region for over 100 years. When not guiding, Alexandra is playing, composing, and performing on piano, accordion, and Autoharp.

Garrett Conover studied wildlife biology and creative writing at University of Montana, and graduated from College of the Atlantic. His interests have their origin in childhood and work has always been chosen for its proximity to the wilds. His delight in the ecology and ethnology of the boreal regions and northern travel skills are natural assets to North Woods Ways.

Alexandra and Garrett are Maine Guides registered by the State. Each has had backcountry first aid training through SOLO of Conway, New Hampshire. They are frequent presenters at wilderness travel symposiums and advocacy conferences. Garrett's slide shows are in demand by outing clubs, museums, colleges, corporations, nature centres, and other organizations. Before starting North Woods Ways, the Conover’s had the good fortune of an extended apprenticeship with renowned Maine Guide "Mick" Fahey. Since then they have actively sought knowledgeable men and women of the north woods, and have lived with several Native families who still spend significant time in the Canadian bush.

Dr Jon Dallimore and Barry Roberts of Wilderness Medical Training are some of the foremost experts in Wilderness and Expedition medicine in their fields. In 2006 Ben McNutt and Lisa Fenton first collaborated with WMT to design and deliver the Expedition Skills Course, which is now in its 4th successful year.

Dr. Jon Dallimore, MSc MRCGP DCH DRCOG Dip. Mountain Med. FRGS, is the Medical Director of Wilderness Medical Training and has completed 20 expeditions as doctor and/or leader. These expeditions have varied from the jungles of Sulawesi, Belize, Thailand and Ecuador to the deserts of Sinai, Namibia and Kenya and to the high mountains of East Africa, Arctic Greenland and the Himalayas. Jon completed the UIAA Diploma in Mountain Medicine in September 2004 and is now a member of the UK teaching faculty. Jon has an MSc in travel medicine, is a member of the RGS medical cell, a contributing author to the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) handbook 'Expedition Medicine' and a co-editor of the new OUP Expedition Medicine Handbook.

In addition to his WMT commitments, Jon has developed a portfolio medical career, working as a staff grade doctor in the Emergency Department at Bristol Royal Infirmary, as a part-time GP and as an advisor to five expedition companies. Jon is also a lecturer at Bristol University and advises medical students on their overseas electives. In addition he is an ALS and ATLS instructor.

Barry Roberts, BSc BEd FRGS, Commercial Director for Wilderness medical Training. Barry has 22 expeditions to his credit including climbing and diving expeditions and community or science based projects. He has particular experience of East Africa, Pakistan, Nepal and Tibet and he has also worked in North America, Greenland, the Sinai, Mexico, Belize, Morocco and Zimbabwe. He is a passionate “extreme” sportsman and is a skydiver, ski mountaineer, climber, paraglider pilot and diver.

In May ‘04 Barry climbed Everest via the north ridge from Tibet. He is sponsored by The North Face UK and was recently featured in the Geographical and Maxim magazines. Barry is the co-author of www.stayingaliveoffpiste.com, a free back country skiing/riding guide. Barry lectures internationally about his expedition experiences to corporate and public audiences. Barry’s most recent expedition in March 2006 was as co-leader The North Face Greenland – Roof of the Arctic Expedition, which was successful in making the first winter ascent of the highest peak in the Arctic on March 4th. He made further history by paragliding back to advanced base camp from below the summit and ascending the mountain a second time on March 9th. Before the expedition was over, he fought face to face with a polar bear. Barry's articles have appeared on www.planetfear.com, www.thesummitjournal.com, Skywings, Dark Summer and the BASI magazine and he is a contributing author to the new OUP Expedition Medicine Handbook. His second adventure film is currently in production. Visit bazroberts.com for more information.