Westcoast Adventure College

Derek Sterling Specialist

Aka: D-Rock!

Captain, Naturalist and Photographer

Derek was born on Vancouver Island and spent his youth on the back roads, lakes and ocean around the area. By his teens, he was working as a wilderness and ocean canoe guide, as well as a fishing guide out on the west coast of the island. Favorite trips at the time were the West Coast Trail, canoeing the Broken Group, Tofino area and Hot Springs Cove. “Life” and family moved him to the interior, with new opportunities for flyfishing, hiking and camping. During this time, a career in retail photography transformed into a full time passion as a professional photographer.

Moving back to the island in 2003, Derek added to his ongoing love of the ocean by certifying up to the level of Rescue Diver as a scuba diver. Following this, certifications followed as a 60ton Limited Master marine Captain, a Restricted Engineer and as a University of Victoria Certified Marine Naturalist. Work in the Whale Watching industry has also been paralleled  with certifications as a Kayak guide and completion of the Level II Adventure Tourism program at the Westcoast Adventure College. Living on a sailboat in downtown Victoria just rounds out the whole package! Plans for the upcoming off seasons includes volunteer work at an animal rehabilitation center in Belize and planned sailing in the Sea of Cortez!