Staff Biographies

Sebastian Powell, Facility Manager

A dyno-whiz with a huge ape index, Sebastian is our full time facility manager. A member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), Seb recently completed his Climbing Gym Instructor Level 2 certification. Sebastian is the guy to call to book birthday parties, group adventures, or climbing lessons. When he’s not hanging off our plastic, coaching the youth team or setting finger-pulling routes, he loves hanging out at sport crags around western Canada. Our awesome youth climbing team considers Seb their fearless leader… or was that feared leader… or fearful… You get the picture.

Kimanda Jarzebiak, Director of Operations, Chair of the Board

An “international man of mystery” - and by man, we mean woman - Kimanda is the Chair of the not-for-profit society that runs the Boulders. She also serves as Director of Operations, which is secret code for people who are skilled at taking credit for other’s work. Rumour has it that she runs a public affairs consulting firm in her spare time, but we find it hard to believe that someone who on-sights 5.15 has the time to hold down a desk job. See what we mean about mystery? We do have proof that Kimanda is a member of the ACMG, is a Climbing Gym Instructor 3, and occasionally teaches for TRU. When she’s not working, climbing, talking and travelling (usually doing all 4 at once), she spends time doing dead- hangs in the mistaken belief that it will correct her height deficit.

Gillian Calder, Instructor, Secretary to the Board

Gillian has spent most of her life trying to figure out what to do with her monkey-length arms. After years on the badminton courts and toiling as a legal academic, she finally discovered the joys of climbing. Gillian leads the Boulders’ Women’s Program, and also sits on the Board of the Society. Besides coffee, there is little this enthusiastic and patient teacher likes better than sharing the magic of climbing with others. Gillian holds ACMG Climbing Gym Instructor Level 1 certification. She is also the only one of our instructors to have successfully argued a case at the Supreme Court of Canada. It’s not directly relevant to climbing, but we sure are proud of her!

Kimberly House, Instructor

You’ll find Kim wearing bright colours and gracefully pulling her way through tough boulder problems. A former Stelly’s student, she graduated from climbing with the youth team to completing her ACMG Climbing Gym Instructor Level One. Kim does a bit of everything at the Boulders, from coaching and teaching introductory classes to route-setting. A UVic student, she loves to travel after classes are done. Recent trips include Nepal and the Dominican Republic.

Samantha Todd, Desk Chick

Sammy has been hanging around this place for so long, we finally had to start paying her. An original member of the youth climbing program, Sammy goes to school at Stelly’s during the week, and helps out at the gym on evenings and weekends. If you’ve booked a birthday party, Sammy’s probably the girl helping your birthday kid have a fun time.

Paddy Alava, Instructor

When Paddy is not trying to subvert the gym's iTunes playlists and impose his deep house agenda, he can be found shuffling papers at the front desk, teaching beginner lessons and coaching the climbing team. He likes crimpy routes, corn dogs, sunsets and long walks on the beach. Paddy is completing his last year of the B.Ed. program at the University of Victoria, and will be enlightening elementary school students by January 2009.

Herman Remodo, Instructor

Herman is an easy-going North Island boy who has been climbing for three years and mountain biking for twelve years. He discovered the Boulders in 2006 and has been hanging around ever since. As a certified ACMG Climbing Gym Instructor Level 1, Herman is one of the friendly folks that teaches intro lessons, sets routes, and greets people through the door. When not at the gym Herman can be found chillin with his family, blazing down trails on his bike or climbing around the local crags on the beautiful South Island.

Christie Harvie, Instructor

Computer whiz, climbing aficionado, and new mom, Christie is a recent addition to the Boulders, and brings some big city sophistication to our little gym. Christie recently returned to Victoria after a stint in Vancouver, where - amongst other things - she worked at the very same climbing gym responsible for stealing Colby from us. We haven't quite forgiven the other facility, so we're taking advantage of this little bit of the internet to rub it in... "We have Christie. We have Christie. Nah nah nah nah"... Where were we? Oh. Christie. She's a great instructor, a fabulous coach, and definitely certifiable. Oops... We mean CERTIFIED. We're certifiable, and Christie is certified, as in a certified climbing gym instructor. We will get those terms straight one day soon.

Stephanie Dixon, Instructor

Stephanie is way too modest to write about all of her accomplishments, so we thought we'd do it for her. While we believe all of our instructors and staff are Olympic material, Steph is the only one who has actually earned Olympic gold - and more than once! A stellar swimmer, and inspiring swimming coach and instructor, Steph recently became addicted to climbing. She completed her Climbing Gym Instructor certification in 2007, and coaches our youth program. We think of her as our secret weapon when it comes to mental preparation for competition. Currently a student at UVic, we hope she sticks around Victoria for a long time to come. While we're divulging her secrets, we also understand Steph to be responsible for all the Hank Williams on the gym's play list.

Patrick Vincentine, Instructor

Patrick is a teacher by training and trade, and has an expertise in developing student-centered curriculum with an outdoor education focus. We aren't quite sure how he manages to find the energy to teach and supervise at the gym after his long work week, but we presume it is out of kindness... or pity. Let's stick with kindness. When he isn't teaching, or teaching climbing, or teaching while climbing, he spends time with his expanding family. Patrick completed his Climbing Gym Instructor Level One in 2007, and is pursuing his CGI 2 in 2008.

Martin Pultz, Web Guy

Monkey? Man? Missing link? Science hasn’t answered the question yet, but this engineering student can be easily identified by the way in which his knuckles scrape the ground when he walks. Martin helps out around the gym in a number of ways, including volunteering his time on this website. Look for him swinging from hold to hold in search of some tasty dynos. Marty holds his Climbing Gym Instructor One cert from the ACMG, and avoids telling people about it.