LLCT Guides

An attempt to describe them…

LLCT is comprised of excellent individuals who care deeply about the success of every participant on every canopy tour!  They work and train hard to assure every participant has opportunities to create memories to last a lifetime.  Our guides are professionally trained to the highest standard in the zip line canopy tour industry and the LOVE their jobs and take their responsibilities quite serious.

Our team is made up of working professionals (looking to scratch their own adventure itch), moms and dads who love the outdoors and who have enough personality in their little finger as Carrot Top does in his entire body, college students (most are Outdoor Leadership & Education majors), and a select few individuals who just can not be defined by words – simply put – A Lake Lanier Canopy Tour guide is an individual that is not easily forgotten!!

SARABETH HUDGINS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Watching people jump off a platform at the end when they were scared at the beginning.
What you do on a free day?: Swim, hang out with friends, pretty much anything that will keep me occupied!!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I am a criminal justice major at NGCSU and I want to be an investigator for the GBI.

JANET WHITWELL

Favorite Guiding Moment?: One lady looked right at me on the 1st platform and said emphatically “I CAN’T do this!”. She really wanted to turn around and go back down the ladder. She not only overcame her fear but was zipping backwards with no hands by the last line! Awesome!
What you do on a free day?: Doing something outdoors with my husband and 2 girls.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I am a recovering Corporate Banker and an awesome unicyclist and pogo sticker (is that the correct terminology?).

SHANE SULLARDS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Hearing zippers talking to one another (not knowing I am listening) and saying things like…’I never thought I could do this’ and ‘This is the best thing I have ever done’ and ‘I thought I was to old to do stuff like this’.
What you do on a free day?: Hmmmm – anything with my family (married to a hottie) since 1995 and we have 3 kids under the age of 5!  Not sure if fun is the word I would use here, but definitely BLESSED!  Other random ‘free day’ acts might be climbing, caving, working around the house, reading, blaw…blaw…blaw (most people have quit reading this by now anyway)
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I have a goal to climb the highest mountain in every state…(getting there) – I LOVE chips and salsa (black bean and corn with lime lately) – I have COMPLETELY sworn off ever assuming someone is pregnant and I feel like an 18 year old trapped in an aging body…

CODY FRANKLIN

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I had an 86 year old woman who had a hip replacement…and let me tell you she mastered the entire course, especially the sky bridges.
What you do on a free day?: I enjoy camping, climbing, hiking, cycling, rafting and spelunking. I guess you can say I am an outdoor guru.

Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I cannot frown. Only smiles on this guy.

BRANDON BRIDGEFARMER

Favorite Guiding Moment?: My favorite moment would have to be the surprising time when my group saw a man butt naked on his boat in the cove, very shocking.
What you do on a free day?: I like to chill with friends and just have fun when I get a free day.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I work for a Christian ministry that I am very passionate about.

SCOTT CHANNELL

(The one on the bottom!)

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I had a participant reach the first platform of my tour literally uncontrollably weeping with fear but she didn’t give up. Together, her group and I convinced her to keep going and by the end of the tour she was going backwards with no hands and having the time of her life!
What you do on a free day?: I pretty much stay outside all day no matter what. I love climbing, hiking, camping, going out on the lake, playing soccer and running around with my dog Tink.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I love to travel and now the only continent outside of antarctica that I haven’t been to is Africa and I desperately want to go there soon! I spent the last 6 months living abroad in Australia and China. I am planning on moving back to Australia permanently in January to join the staff of a Christian ministry called Y.W.A.M.

LEEANNA HOFFMAN

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I love the variation of different screams as people go down the line. I’ve had rooster crows, George of the Jungle, even an interpretive dance to the Lion King. I love to see people letting loose and being themselves as they ride!
What you do on a free day?: Well… whaling riding, lion hunting, and discovering sunken pirate ships in the caribbean tend to take up most of my time. But when I’m not doing that, I enjoy climbing, taking pictures, or just chilling out with my dogs!  I also love to surf but due to the lack of ocean in good ol’ Buford Ga, it doesn’t happen very often.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I spent six months traveling through Australia and Asia doing missions work and can’t wait to move back to Oz next year to work at it full time!

ERIK SLAYMAKER

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Seeing all the smiling faces.
What you do on a free day?: Anything awesome- cycling, climbing, disc golf, fishing!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I grew up in Alaska and I am super awesome!

DANNY SORTO

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Well as of right now my favorite guiding moment would have to be hearing people scream on the last zip line before ending the tour! It’s pretty awesome.
What I do on a free day?: There are many things I do on a free day, hang with my girlfriend, or work on web design type things, go out on the lake and TRY to wakeboard. just relax at home, play the guitar, or just be funny!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I’m a born and raised YANKEE! (don’t mess with me).

E.J. GANN

Favorite Guiding Moment?: My favorite guiding moment is when laughter is created; and lots of it! Whether it’s from how goofy we all look in our gear, laughing from sheer excitement, or from someone who has overcame a fear that is now laughing because they can’t believe they did it, or, our other guides—hilarious people all around…It all makes me happy!
What you do on a free day?: Outside of the trees you will find me hangin’ with my Husband, traveling, diggin’ in my garden, park days with my pup, runnin’, pedicures, attending  12Stone Church, & anything fun that the friends and I can get into, just to name a few!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I’ve been working as a Massage Therapist since 2006 and my passion is in helping peoples’ lives become more stress free. I thrive on networking with people showing different ways to add fun, freedom, and fulfillment to our lives!  “Life is a challenge, meet it! Life is a dream, realize it! Life is a game, play it! Life is Love, enjoy it!!!”

WES CANEUP

Favorite Guiding Moment?: My second tour everyone was very funny! I could not stop laughing for 2 hours straight!
What you do on a free day?: I enjoy hanging out with my family. Going camping, hiking, and swimming.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: At my other job, I have the nickname “Shag”. I can explain this if you only ask, it is kid friendly!

KELLY HOGAN

Favorite Guiding Moment?: My first tour, a young girl at the age of nine was touring with LLCT. It was her birthday present(that she picked out). After the tour was over, and after departing from the group, I ran into this young girl again and she quickly walks up and gives me a huge hug. She did not have to say anything at all. I saw the appreciation in her eyes. It truly was a great feeling knowing that I could show her the best time, even for how intimidating zip-lining may be for a person so small.
What you do on a free day?: My hobbies include my son. Landon is my world and I spend every moment outside of school and work with him. He amazes me everyday.  I am also attending Gainesville State College for a Pre-Med degree and plan to pursue a nursing degree. In the future, I would love to be a pediatrician. That’s a little bit about me, now I would love to know more about you! I hope to see you soon here at Lake Lanier Canopy Tours!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: My first tour was May 21st with Vincent the intern, and it was an amazing experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work for LLCT. It is a second job for me, but it is so much more than that. It is a place that I feel stress-free, welcomed and relaxed. Though I do take this job seriously like any other, I also have a great time. I spend my day enjoying people. I love meeting new people and getting to know my group. Interacting with children that come on the tour and seeing their faces light up, can make the best of the tour for me.

AMBER ‘BAM’ MOONEY

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I had an 8 year old girl and a 9 year old boy on a tour.  They were fearless and they screamed with excitement the entire time! There is no way I would have done that when I was their age.  I was so impressed.
What you do on a free day?: I like to take my dog, Hogan, with me, when I run errands. I just love the reactions I get when people see a 100 lb. German Shepard sitting in the front seat of a tiny Toyota Celica.  He is so big!!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: My nickname is Bam! I like to go spelunking, mountain biking, zip lining, skydiving, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. I love finding new and exciting ways to scare myself! I enjoy shooting videos and editing them together. I am graduating from GSC in December of 2011 with an Associates in Media Studies before transferring to NGCSU in the Spring of 2012.

BRENT HAMILTON

Favorite Guiding Moment: This little guy named Eric was so scared before the first lake line he was crying and hugging the tree, but by the time we got to the second crossing he was making duck noises and wanting to go first.
What do you do on a free day? I rock climb, chill in my hammock, hike, and do a lot of other random outdoor adventures. I play 4 different instruments, love to travel. Generally anything outside, and not going to class!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you? I randomly live in the back of my Subaru Forester because I think it’s awesome. My friends at school affectionately call me the hippie; get to know me and you’ll see why. I have been to 6 foreign countries, and am eventually going to be a missionary to India.

VICKI KIRKLEY

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I had a 73 year old lady and her daughter on my very first tour. I was worried at first, until I learned they were checking off the mom’s bucket list. Ms. Ethel showed no hesitation and jumped off the platform like she had zipped for years. I could not believe the enthusiasm she had and I can still envision her long white scarf flowing in the wind behind her! We cut up and laughed so hard the entire tour. She and her daughter were awesome!!
What you do on a free day?: What is a free day??!!?? I love to spend time with my husband, David, and three daughters – “Dylan” Elizabeth who is “almost” 12, Danielle who is 1 ½ (oops!!) and my four-legged daughter (Yellow Lab), Piper who is 2. We all compete in dock diving and I am proud to say that Dylan competes with Piper to raise money for Susan G. Komen & Breast Cancer Awareness. My family and I also go on hikes and camping trips and I like to road and mountain bike when I have time.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: Well…2 kids and 40 pounds ago I was a professional Pairs Figure Skater. I competed for 22 years, coached for 6 years and retired after having my children. Sadly, Dylan did not like it. Maybe Danielle will be my little skater! When I was a teen, I took a break from figure skating and took up skateboarding. I was sponsored by California Skate Boards and actually did a demo with Tony Hawk. I gave that up after breaking a couple bones. I am passionate about my family, my Catholic faith, and my devotion to Christ. I am so thankful for the wonderful life I have been given and thank God daily for the many blessings I have.

SPENCER LIPSON

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I love every time when I am able to help people conquer their fears on the zip lines!
What you do on a free day?: I thoroughly enjoy any outdoor activity.  I go road biking or rock climbing any time I get the chance.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I’m from Kansas, and yes, they are planning on making it a state soon!!  Go Kansas.

MICHELLE GOLDMAN

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I don’t have a specific favorite moment yet, but my favorite part about guiding is getting to know all the people on the tour.  It’s so much fun and makes everyone comfortable to get to know everyone else on the tour too.  Even if none of us know each other at the beginning, we’re all friends by the end!
What you do on a free day?: I am a ballet instructor and dancing is my most favorite thing to do ever!  But hanging out with my friends is just as good.  I also love winning……I mean, playing board games with family and friends!  I love being in the woods, whether I’m kiking or camping, rain or shine!  But preferably shine.  Chilling and listening to music is pretty much awesome to!!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I go by my middle name….so DON’T call me Andrea!!

HALEIGH GROSS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: When I dropped my glove while zipping and had to take my shoes off and break with them!!  My hands smelled dreadful after that tour.
What you do on a free day?: I love to visit my goat that I sponsor through Goat Compassion International.  Luckily he resides at the most amazing place in the world, Goats on the Roof!  So, he is not too far for me to visit him weekly.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I have personally raised 3 level 80 WoW characters.  Jukyna, Glithrarith, Vrytyn.  I have logged over 2 years of actual game play in the last 5 years.  Our guild is currently the strongest in the world!!!!!!!

RYAN TAYLOR

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Has to be when I was zipping across the lake line and my shorts fell down…talk about a free show for the participants.  It was cold that day.
What you do on a free day?: I love to take my pet bichon frise, Kisses, to the mall and window shop.  She just loves to be carried around in her Louis Vuitton bag.  It matches my satchel.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: Along with zip lining, I also deliver singing telegrams!  I would love to entertain you while zipping with my talented soprano voice.

GINELLE GORDON

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I was racing on the dual lines on Pine Isle against Greg….needless to say, my last name came into play and I smoked him!
What you do on a free day?: I have an extensive collection of beanie babies and sock puppets.  I actually own the original sock puppet from Lamb Chop.  I have to dust them and make sure they are kept in a controlled climate.  I have my own You Tube channel of sock puppet and beanie baby soap operas.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: Well, my uncle is Jeff Gordon.  He is always sending me tickets to races, which I never use so if you are a NASCAR fan…let me know.  I usually sell the tickets so I can purchase more beanie babies and sock puppets.

RANDY BYERS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: My favorite moment is about myself.  I completed the entire Legacy Tour….backwards!  I pulled myself through the whole course in 10 minutes.  That’s why I’m cool…BOOM!
What you do on a free day?: I like to travel the world and the seven seas….every hour!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: My wife and I are due to have our first baby in January, 2012 and I am a certified lifeguard….I have saved my own life from drowning multiple times!!

GREG PECK

Favorite Guiding Moment?: June 5, 2011
What you do on a free day?: I like to contemplate….
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I am a white belt….ya, that’s right! Boom

NAMCHE

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Bark.
What you do on a free day?: Woof.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: *pant pant pant*

DREW GANN

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Once I got distracted while leading a tour and everything would have worked out for the best except
What you do on a free day?: I LOVE shopping!! I especially love shopping on beautiful sunny days!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I am a professional mechanical bull rider.  I currently hold the male shirtless time record at Wild Bills and I don’t plan on losing it any time soon! I can also let you in on a little secret quote I like to reference every now and then when I just need a lift…”If you think nobody cares if you are alive, try missing a couple of payments”.

SPENCER DAVIS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Any time there’s large groups cause I know I get to hook up both trollies.
What you do on a free day?: I’m a Formula 1 driver. It’s the only way to satisfy my need for speed.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: ...Huh?

ZACH BETHEA

Favorite Guiding Moment?: M
What you do on a free day?: I
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: A

JON GUNDERSON

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Every time I get on the trolley
What you do on a free day?: Be a kid! Paddle, climb, ride bikes, and be a dad!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I have a great love for the outdoors and I’m the oldest guide here at Lake Lanier Canopy Tours!

MITCHELL CLARK

Favorite Guiding Moment?: When new participants first walk up. I love to talk, so getting to meet new people is always exciting. And you can always get a good feel for a person by their sense of style!
What you do on a free day?: Landscaping, hunting, fishing, knitting, and most of all, dress design. Almost every moment of my day is spent developing break through styles in the fashion world. Don’t you just love animal prints??
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I am founder and president of the Gainesville City Fashionista Club

TIFANIE SLAYMAKER

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Seeing people overcome their fears!
What you do on a free day?: I love running, spending time with my husband and our new puppy.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I have actually competed in juggling competitions. I’m as good as ay circus clown you’ll meet!

MICHAEL GARY

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I like to push people outside of their comfort zone. I once pushed a guy so hard that he wet his pants while zipping over the lake. Even though the participant smelled horrible, the tears of joy that filled his eyes after overcoming his fear of heights made me proud to be his guide.
What you do on a free day?: I like to troll people. In other words, I like giving people a hard time. I used to hack into my girlfriends facebook a lot. I posted some stuff about her and changed her password so that she couldn’t delete the post. I thought it was hilarious! She did not. …I don’t know why she still dates me.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I was born with a fluffy pink tail.

TIANA TEAGUE

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Pulling people in when they get stuck. It makes me feel like a super hero!
What you do on a free day?: I love jumping out of airplanes. Sometimes without a parachute!
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I auditioned for the Russian Ballet but was rejected because I couldn’t speak Russian. Instead, I devoted myself to weight lifting and now have three titles to my name.

JOSH LEPOCK

Favorite Guiding Moment?:I love pretending to fall off and seeing the look on everyone’s face.
What you do on a free day?: I trick ride horses. Both the horse and myself are bareback.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I reconstruct works of architecture using Q-tips. I’ve done the Tower of Pisa, the Statue of Liberty, and a dog. Ask me about my rates!

ALEX STAALNER

Favorite Guiding Moment?: M
What you do on a free day?: I
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: A

GRIER ROGERS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: When I fell off a platform and had to be rescued by a group of girl scouts. Wait… was the me?
What you do on a free day?: I spend my days skinny dipping and taking care of my pet squirrel, Squeekums. He gets violent when he’s hungry…
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I’m officially the first LLCT guide to chew and swallow three pine cones in one sitting!

CARLY PRESTON

Favorite Guiding Moment?: That would have to be my very first tour. I had the most amazing group of participants, including a very sweet lady: Dotti. She was terrified to get out there and take those first steps off the platform, but she totally rocked it and made all in the way through with a smile on her face. I love seeing people overcome their fears and surprise themselves with what they can do! It’s the most rewarding part of my job!
What you do on a free day?: Sleep and study! Wonderful life of a college student! I love spending time with my boyfriend, who also works at LLCT. I also enjoy mountain biking, hiking, Olympic lifting, and going to the firing range…some of my favorite things to do with my Dad. But I also love to veg out and relax with my Mama.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?:  I am studying to be a nurse practitioner. Currently working on my Associates at Gainesville State College. My Faith and my Family are two of the most important things in my life. And I love to laugh, it’s the best medicine there is.

CASEY KISSEL

Favorite Guiding Moment?: M
What you do on a free day?: I
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: A

SANDI SAVARESE 

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I had some kids on a tour that told me I as the coolest mom ever for being a tour guide!
What you do on a free day?: I’m told I used to be a bartender, but I can’t remember that part of my life.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I spent some time backpacking through Germany. I made money along the way by challenging the biggest men in the bars to an arm wrestling challenge. They didn’t know what was coming.

PAUL ROBINSON

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Watching people go backwards over the lake.
What you do on a free day?: Free day? I typically have to change from my zip gear to a three piece suit while driving to my second job on my motorcycle. Yes, that is as impressive as it sounds.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I was knocked out in a fight once and woke up in a weird country two weeks later. Somehow I had already learned their language.

BRETT GARDNER

Favorite Guiding Moment?: I often model Mitchell’s sundresses on the courses after hours. There’s something refreshing about the way the air flows through the intricate details in the fabric. Thanks Mitch!
What you do on a free day?: Outrageous 3D needlepoint. …Seriously. One of them is in the Smithsonian.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I tried to move to Thailand to become a monk, but I was kicked out of the monastery because I couldn’t keep my vow of silence. Ironically, I’ve never heard as much cheering than the day I left.

TYLER HENRY

Favorite Guiding Moment?: Watching someone transition from being scared to death to having the time of their life.
What you do on a free day?: All of kinds of adrenaline-filled, adventurous, and borderline stupid activities that give my momma gray hair.
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: I am a self-proclaimed master at the art of finger snapping.

ERIC SANDERSON

Favorite Guiding Moment?: M
What you do on a free day?: I
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: A

KASEY DAVIS

Favorite Guiding Moment?: M
What you do on a free day?: I
Any other crazy or serious facts about you?: A