Meet Our Team

Alex Lecuona

Alex's love for outdoor and water sport activities began on the beautiful Baja peninsula in Mexico. Later, he discovered a passion for kayaking during a NOLS sea kayaking course. As fate would have it, he was asked to join the crew for the America's cup sailing tour and met his future wife during a sunset sail. 
Before their first daughter was born, Alex and his wife relocated to Virginia where Alex took his knowledge of outdoor sports to the retail industry. Alex expanded his paddling skills and product knowledge working for Wild River Outfitters in Virginia Beach before moving to Loudoun County. 
When Alex is not out paddling or outfitting folks for their outdoor adventures, he loves to spend time with his family hiking, camping, rock climbing, cycling, or any other outdoor activity they can share together!
With 10+ years in the tourism industry, 7+ in sea kayaking and SUP, and 5+ years in adventure outfitting, Alex continues to expand his knowledge and love for the outdoors. Alex's enthusiasm is contagious! He loves to make sure that his guests feel comfortable, confident, and have an amazing time out on the water!

Britt Heilman

Britt's passion for outdoor and watersports began when she was 5 years old. As a competitive swimmer, instructor, lifeguard, and coach, Britt spent most of her childhood in the water. While studying elementary education in college, she developed a love for a variety of outdoor sports including rock climbing, yoga, hiking, camping, free diving, and any other activity that kept her outside!
While living abroad in Mexico, Britt met her future husband Alex, who shared her passion for an active and outdoor lifestyle. It was during this time that she first tried and fell in love with SUP on the beautiful Sea of Cortez!
She loves to emphasize kinesthetic, hands-on learning. Working as both an SUP tour guide and SUP kids' camp instructor for Paddle Nova allows her to bring her love of teaching out into nature. Britt also handles all of Paddle Nova's administrative responsibilities.
Britt is a 200hr RYT Yoga Instructor and is working on achieving her 500hr certification.

Jack Layne

Jack Layne is a native Virginian, you might even notice an accent.  He has been with PaddleNova since 2016.  Alex and Jack go back to our days at Eastern Mountain Sports where our brotherly vibe grew.  Jack spends his time on the water, kayaking and SUP.  Jack is known in the area as a local musician and roadie for others.  He directs a children instrumental ensemble and drum circle at Sterling UMC.  He also has conducted church choirs, handbells and small chamber ensembles with choir in the past. His full time work is in IT for LCPS.  Thanks for joining us for a day on the water, there’s nothing better.

Matt Nacy

Matt has over 30 years of paddling experience.  He has an extensive knowledge of whitewater (Kayaking, SUP and Rescue) as well ocean paddling from growing up on Chincoteague Island where he and his wife own Big Papa SUP. He’s an ACA L2 instructor and a competitive SUP racer.  When he’s not out on the water with his family or introducing people to water sports Matt is finishing up a 28 year career as a professional firefighter/paramedic.

Rosemarie Coakley

For over twenty-five years, Rosemarie has been active in the fitness industry encouraging thousands of people to live more vibrant lives through physical activity and yoga.  Simply put, Rosemarie loves to share her passion for fitness and movement with everyone!  
 As a longtime athlete and outdoor enthusiast Rosemarie embraces any opportunity to be physically challenged and active.  When in Hawaii in the early 2000s, Rosemarie fell in love with Stand Up Paddleboarding.  It intuitively followed that she would not only adapt her yoga practice to the SUP board but that she would also instruct her own unique style of SUP Yoga.   
As in all of her fitness and yoga classes, Rosemarie's SUP Yoga classes are welcoming and create a space for each participant to explore the edges of their comfort zone while tapping into their strength and balance.  Rosemarie's encouraging and inclusive teaching style enables every  participant to be successful on the board regardless of their SUP or Yoga experience.  
Rosemarie has been teaching SUP Yoga with PaddleNova since 2015
Among Rosemarie's many certifications, she is a 500hr YA-RYT yoga instructor and an ACE Sports Conditioning Specialist.

Tyler Basso

Tyler is a true Northern Virginian with an appreciation for adventure and making connections. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves all things nature! 
Tyler has been a proficient paddler for 6 years and is always looking for an excuse to be on the water or hitting the trails. He is proud to be a part of Paddle Nova's team! 

Ben Kelahan

Ben strives to find adventure in his life daily, be it personally or professionally. A grassroots organizer by trade and owner of Adventure Advocacy, Ben integrates escapes into nature wherever he can find it. An avid trail runner, hiker, paddler, skier, and mountain biker, Ben finds his internal resource and spiritual guide somewhere outdoors, usually with his dog Thor leading the way and testing his limits. Ben craves new adventures and skills that he can apply and use to help lead other through shared experiences. outdoors.

Mike Althouse

Mike has worked in the outdoor industry for over a decade researching, selling, outfitting and instructing water sports.  He has kayaked the past 15 years along the east coast and has found a passion for paddling SUP's.  
When not on the water, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and scoping out new places to visit and paddle.  In addition to paddling, Mike enjoys hiking, backpacking, biking and telemark skiing.  
Mike is very knowledgeable about local waters and the different kayaks and boards on the market and enjoys outfitting and sharing tips on how to have successful trips.