Breakwater Kayak, LLC is owned and operated by a professional registered Maine guide with over 30 years of experience. All of our guides have been tested, registered, and licensed by the state of Maine and have Marine Emergency Medical training beyond what our state licensing requires. We are committed outdoors people with extensive paddling experience. Each season, Breakwater Kayak, LLC guides practice sea kayak rescue techniques to ensure guest safety on the water. Our guides are also concerned about our wildlife and fragile coast and strive to provide you with a rewarding sea kayaking experience with the least amount of impact to our local environment.
Mark DiGirolamo is the founder and owner of Breakwater Kayak, LLC. He lives in Rockland, Maine and has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Maine at Machias. He worked for 10 years as a registered Maine sea kayak guide in Rockport before deciding to start his own company in 2000. Mark’s love of guiding includes a passion for teaching others about the marine life, birds, and plants of this area using the freedom and mobility of a sea kayak. When not guiding, he works as a field biologist on birds and other wildlife research projects for various organizations and environmental consultant companies. Mark spends his leisure time birding, sea kayaking, mushrooming, cooking, traveling in Latin America, and volunteering to lead natural history walks for local environmental organizations.
Tracy Rescigno is Global Partner at Now Partners, has decades of experience working with corporations, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs as a leadership program facilitator, coach, and former outdoor adventure guide. She trained and practiced as a Buddhist nun and also works with organizations to develop empathetic and compassionate company cultures and leadership. She has worked with Expedia Group, Amazon, Genentech, Good RX, California Children’s Resources Network, Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, Someofus.org, Backroads, National Audubon Society and other organizations. She is also a certified trainer and master class teacher for the “Search Inside Yourself” program, a leadership and emotional intelligence program developed at Google.
Clairlynn Rountree- Clairlynn has been kayaking the Maine coast since 1987. Clairlynn, or “CL” as she prefers to be called has camped and backpacked extensively throughout the country during her summers off from teaching at the middle school level. Clairlynn developed her passion for the environment while she was an active member of girl scouts for 14 yrs. She is most at home leading multi-day trips, facilitating team building activities, and exploring the beauty of the ocean.
Colleen Boyle — With 20 years of experience as a Maine Guide and Florida naturalist plus 10 years of living experience on a sailboat Colleen is very much at home on the water. Equally comfortable on Maine’s coastal waters or Florida Mangrove trails Colleen sees the sea kayak as a vehicle to experience all Mother Nature has to offer. Some of her friends feel that she may have been a dolphin in a previous lifetime! Come and join her on the water! Colleen knows more about the Breakwater than all the rest of us combined.
John Colombo — On July 4, 2017, John and his wife walked into Port Clyde Kayaks to say hello to their friends. John signed up for his first ocean kayak tour on the spot. After taking that tour, plus a few more, John was hooked. He soon was an Apprentice for Port Clyde Kayaks helping with everything from washing boats to learning how to guide. In March 2018, John passed the exam and became a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide.
He worked his first season with Port Clyde Kayaks, leading several tours all around Muscongus Bay. In 2019, he joined the Breakwater Kayak team now entering his third season. His favorite seabird is the black guillemot.
John has worked in restaurants for over 40 years, he finds working on the water a relaxing way to unwind. When not in his kayak on the ocean, John enjoys exploring the backroads of New England on his motorcycle. John is also an avid traveler, always planning his next getaway. His motto is “Make Money, Buy Plane Tickets.”
Jim Dugan makes a point of saying “I’m not a guide” but he used to be and he’s an integral part of our operation. He’s an avid paddler and is likely to be the first person to greet you in person or on the phone and he knows kayaking and the area as well as most of the real guides. He’s a photographer and his photos and videos are all over this web site and our Facebook feed. Check out more photos at jimdugan.com
