UNITED BY OUR PASSION
We are three generations of marine scientists, connected through marine research and education. Isabelle, a world renowned marine ecologist, was Chantale’s PhD advisor and had a big impact on her ideas in marine ecology and conservation. Noelle and Lauren met while studying coral reef ecology during a field course in Curaçao – that was taught by Chantale! Our paths have all remained intertwined over the years, united by a passion for marine conservation. We have committed our lives to understanding, protecting, and sharing our passion for the Ocean. Competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is one more platform for us to draw attention to ocean protection, and to support the people and organizations on the front lines of the fight for our ocean.
Four marine scientists rowing across an ocean, for the oceans
Chantale Bégin
MARINE SCIENTIST, EDUCATOR, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER
Chantale grew up in Québec, Canada. When she was 16 years old, after a random chance at going down to 800ft deep in the St. Lawrence Estuary in the submersible Clelia, she decided she wanted to be a marine biologist. This idea took her to Dalhousie University where she studied invasive seaweeds on the Nova Scotia coast, Université Laval where she studied invertebrate communities associated with kelp beds in the northern Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and eventually Simon Fraser University where she researched the impact of changing land use and sedimentation rates on the coral reefs of the Eastern Caribbean.
Noelle Helder
MARINE ECOLOGIST, GUIDE, TYPE II FUN ENTHUSIAST
Noelle hails from small town North Carolina, USA. Beach vacations along the Carolina coast just weren’t enough time near the sea. She made the move south to attend the University of South Florida to major in biology, where she studied jaw mechanics in baby sharks, became a SCUBA divermaster and scientific diver, and outdoor adventure guide. She also attended a study abroad course in Curaçao – where she immediately befriended Lauren and their instructor, Chantale.
Isabelle Côté
PROFESSOR OF MARINE ECOLOGY, RUNNER, SWIMMER
Isabelle was born to a family of fishermen, sailors and captains, so a career in or on the water was almost inevitable. She was a competitive swimmer for a decade, but learning to scuba dive partway through her undergraduate degree in marine biology at McGill University really sealed her fate. She remembers the amazement of seeing her very first fish underwater – a yellow perch – like it was yesterday. As a senior, she jumped at the chance of doing her honours research on sea urchins at McGill’s tropical field station in Barbados. This was another turning point, as it triggered a life-long passion for coral reefs and their inhabitants.
Lauren Shea
MARINE BIOLOGIST, SAILOR, AND DIVING INSTRUCTOR
Growing up in Florida, Lauren spent most of her time on the water swimming, scuba diving, and surfing. After furthering her diving education aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean, she decided she wanted to study marine biology and began studying for a BSc in Marine Biology at the University of South Florida.
SUPPORT CREW
Cady Hart
PERFORMANCE COACH
Coach Cady Hart-Petterssen has had a life-long commitment to unlocking human potential. Her time as captain of the UCONN Crew team prepared her for a career in coaching athletes towards excellence in many forms of movement, including CrossFit, Yoga and Rowing. Cady is the Lead Training Advisor at Concept2 and owner of Green Mountain Community Fitness located in Vermont. Contributing to the Salty Scientist’s endeavor is the perfect opportunity to share her depth of training knowledge and understanding of how grit and determination can lead to fantastic feats of performance.
Terri Schneider
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANT
Terri has been literally ‘moving forward’ in the far reaches of the planet for most of her life —via ultrarunning, hiking, triathlon, cycling, adventure racing, mountaineering and adventuring. As a former 10-year professional triathlete turned adventure racer, in the fall of 2011 she led a 4-person expedition traversing the country of Bhutan via a never-been-done route, trekking and mountain biking and while her team shot a documentary film, Crossing Bhutan. She’s earned a degree in Exercise Physiology as well as a masters in Sport Psychology. Terri is the author of several books, with a few more currently in the works. She is super fired-up to work with the Salty Science team, honing their mental game for the upcoming challenge.
Richella and Kyle Theil
WEBSITE MAGICIANS
Wonder how we have such an awesome website? We have our friends Richella and Kyle to thank! They are the owners of Visual Realm- an amazing web marketing business- and are constantly helping us maintain and update our website and sponsor materials. Immediately after learning about our expedition they offered to create our website and we are constantly amazed by their creativity and skills! Kyle and Richella are very busy with their regular clients at Visual Realm and we’re extremely grateful for the time they donate to help us look good!
Kristen Swindle
FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
Kristen is a friend and neighbor who constantly amazes us by taking on new challenges. When not training for marathons, studying to become a veterinarian, working as a vet tech or hanging out with her two young kids, she generously volunteers her time to help others. Kristen was the architect behind our first fundraiser, the Beer Summit that was held in January 2022 and has helped catalyze our fundraising efforts.
Boomer Baumeister
BOAT SUPPORT
Boomer is the senior captain for the Florida Institute of Oceanography and has spent years at sea on various types of boats. He’s also married to Chantale, and our boat (Emma) has been in their driveway since we got her in March 2022 (not to mention that he let us wrap his personal truck in Salty Science swag)! Boomer loves working on boats, and he has spent a ton of time on Emma cleaning, checking out her systems, and fixing small problems to help us get her in perfect condition for the crossing. Boomer has trailered Emma more miles for various events than all of us combined!
Lindsey Stigleman
PHOTOGRAPHER
Content to come.