GHOUL RUNNINGS 2024 CREW
Below are some pics and short bios of the people you may meet if you join us for a RIVER or RESERVOIR adventure this season. We are proud of this CREW who have helped us establish and build this 4th season Kayak Rental business for Sandusky County. They all take their positions very seriously and help us maintain our fleet of 105 watercraft this year.
BETH TURNER – AKA: “The Boss Lady”
Beth Turner is the official owner of GHOUL RUNNINGS KAYAK ADVENTURE, LLC… it was all her idea and she has been the driving force behind everything since the idea popped into her head back in 2018 when they took the Ballville Dam out. It has been truly a LABOR of LOVE for her and husband Bob to bring this abandoned A-Frame Sandusky River Trip building and grounds back to life and set up the Yak Shack Rental business at the Fremont Reservoir. Beth has always loved canoeing over the years but is relatively new to kayaking. She bought her first kayak as a wedding anniversary gift to herself and husband… and soon after bought one for him so they could both go out together. Her motto… once you YAK… you never go BACK!!!! Beth and Bob Turner have owned and operated the HAUNTED HYDRO for 33 years this seaon! Beth and Bob Turner have owned and operated the HAUNTED HYDRO for 34 seasons. They official sold it last year and are looking forward to enjoying more time on the River and relaxing in the fall season!
BOB TURNER - AKA: "Crazy" Bob
Manager, ACA Certified Instructor/Guide and husband of the actual owner which makes him a full-time SLAVE to the business... LOL!
Bob has been around water sports all his life, grew up in Knoxville, TN and was a junior water ski champion on the Tennessee River. He swam on the University of Tennessee swim team. Bob was also an Eagle Scout who took numerous Canoe trips over his time with the Scouts. He and his wife Beth later owned and operated Thornwood Golf Course and the F.O.R.T. recreational facility which had a large swimming pond on the property. He was a certified Lifeguard for 15 years while they ran that business. Bob has always enjoyed whitewater rafting and was a regular on the New River and Youghiogheny River during the summers. He got his first Kayak as a Father’s Day Gift about 4 years ago and there has been no turning back. He loves the YAK life and is thrilled to help others enjoy this amazing and super popular pastime.
MARLIN WHITE - AKA: "The Hippie Daredevil”
ACA Certified Instructor/Guide
Marlin was the first person who we interviewed for a position last year and has not only become a great friend but proved himself invaluable when it comes to his kayak skills, paddling knowledge and expertise. He knows the Sandusky River like the back of his hand, has paddled it hundreds of times during all water conditions. He is also an avid Sail Kayaker and has sail-kayaked from Pt. Clinton to Canada and also on the Ocean from one Island in the Keys to many others in Florida. He is a quiet-spoken paddling machine with a wealth of history, nature and familiarity of the Sandusky County area.
JASON KIDDEY - AKA: "The Skipper"
ACA Certified Instructor/Guide
Jason is a paddling perfectionist! His favorite boat is his 13 ft. Red Dagger and you cannot miss him when he is on the water with this! He also served in the US Coastguard where he first learned his water safety skills. Jason is a true born leader who loves to teach others the proper techniques of paddling and safety education while on the water. He is always prepared to take charge of any rescue or emergency situation and is a welcome addition to our Crew.
TANNER WATSON – AKA: “Tan the MAN”
Guide Apprentice/3rd Year Crew Member/Driver
We have known Tanner for over 6 years now. Tanner has a heart of gold, a passion for adventure and is a serious safety advocate as well. He is getting his EMT degree from Owens Community College and volunteers on the search and rescue squad is first-aid and CPR certified and ready and able to help in any emergency situation.
DUANE HUFFMAN – AKA: “Do-Wayne”
Maintenance/Driver
Duane is our go-to man when it comes to mowing, maintenance, building, projects and more around the A-Frame. He is also our number one Shuttle Transportation driver. Duane has a fear of water and is working to overcome that phobia this year by taking some trainings offered by our guides and his goal for the year is to take a River Trip before the season is over.
SAMANTHA BURGESS - AKA: "Sunny Sammy"
Marketing/Groups/Promotions/Tech Support
Sammantha is now in her 2nd season with us. She is totally new to kayaking but has a strong desire to learn. She has a very pleasant customer service quality about her and is not afraid to talk to people and give them a warm sunny smile! She knows a lot about computers and has already helped us with some of our growing-pain issues with technology. She loves helping us with our Farmers Market and promotional events
LORI DISPOSTI - AKA: “Our Saturday Sunshine”
Marketing/Groups/Promotions/Tech Support
Sammantha is now in her 2nd season with us. She is totally new to kayaking but has a strong desire to learn. She has a very pleasant customer service quality about her and is not afraid to talk to people and give them a warm sunny smile! She knows a lot about computers and has already helped us with some of our growing-pain issues with technology. She loves helping us with our Farmers Market and promotional events.
IAN LEONETTI – 2024 - AKA: “Fawx (FOX)”
Guide in Training/Maintenance/Driver/Lawncare/Custom Service
Ian recently moved back to Fremont and actually stopped by during our Eclipse Event, saw our Internship flyer and applied with us the next day. He was a tremendous help during our pre-season build days and loves to paddle and be on the water every chance he gets. He loves to go FAST whether it is on the water or in a souped up car! He also owns his own Vehicle Detail Business called: Leonetti Auto Detailing. Need your car detailed… he is your MAN!!!!
JULIEANNA FENTON – 2024 – AKA: “The Intern”
Our Kent State University intern for the summer
Julieanna reached out to us over Christmas last year and said she was interested in doing her Internship with us this year. She is required to do 450 hours of an internship before she can graduate. We zoomed, she visited in the spring and we talked to Terra State College and was able to get her a room for the summer at their Terra Landings apartments for the summer. She is getting her degree in Environmental Studies and Park Management. She is learning everything she can and has been a wonderful help already this season.
STEPHANIE DUSSEL – 2024 – AKA: “Our Yak Attack River Rat”
Guide in training/Customer service/Driver
Stephanie is proud of the title RIVER RAT. She grew up on the Sandusky and Portage Rivers and said it was like a second home to her. She recently returned back to Fremont from South Carolina where she worked several years on the Savannah River and Clarks Hill Lake where she helped at a large Marina there. She is so excited and thrilled to come on-board as a Guide in Training this year. She has her own Hybrid Kayak/Paddleboard that she will be practicing on at the Fremont Reservoir this year. Stephanie is also a certified Lifeguard. She is a very positive person who has a great smile and is a big TEAM PLAYER and her famous saying is NO PROBLEMS… only SOLUTIONS!
MARK MCGINNIS – 2024 – AKA: “The Icebreaker”
Guide in Training/Maintenance/Lawncare/Custom Service/Driver
Mark earned his nickname this year by jumping in his kayak at a friends sons graduation party and chasing down our crew who was on the river that day training. He went thru the icebreaker area at the old ballville dam without a care in the world… just picked a path and stuck to it… he did swamp his boat but did not get hurt… thank goodness. He eventually caught up to the crew at the end of the run at Roger Young Park. Mark is a teacher for Lutz School, a Boy Scout Leader, Paddleboard Instructor and has been on many Kayak adventures in his lifetime. He is looking at teaching others and making new adventures with us this season.
ALEX MCGINNIS – 2024 – AKA: “The Eagle Scout”
Guide in Training/Maintenance/Lawncare/Custom Service
Alex graduated from Lakota HS this year and is off to Wittenberg University this fall to pursue his degree in Environmental Science. Alex saw us at the Terra State Career Fair and said… that sounds like a super fun summer job to me. He applied and not only got himself a summer job but got his Dad hired on as well… LOL! Alex worked hard to earn his EAGLE SCOUT ranking as well over the years. He took many kayak trips with the scouts and his Dad and felt this was a perfect fit for him this summer!
AUSTIN SMITH – 2024 – AKA: “Chip”
Guide in Training/Custom Service/Maintenance/Lawncare/
Austin comes to us as a CHIP off the OLE block… you see… his Dad… Eric started working for us when he was about Austin’s age back when we had Thornwood Golf Course and the F.O.R.T. facility. Eric was a lifeguard, worked on the golf course and helped at the Haunted Hydro too. Austin started helping as we prepped things for the season. He is anxious to get in the water and learn the ins and outs of being a River Guide this summer as well as continue doing all the many BOB-JOBS we always have.
LOGAN MICHAEL KERN – 2024 - AKA: “Social Media Marketing Ghoul, Artist & Content Creator”
Social media/Content creator
We met Logan last year when he was working for another local business. We hit it off right away and loved his concepts, ideas, creativity and follow-thru with our emails, suggestions and ideas. He is a forward thinking individual that is full of positivity and personality! He decided the time was right this year to start his own social media, marketing and art concept business. He is creating a new Ohio LLC company that will be known as “PANIC STUDIOS, LLC” Find him on FACEBOOK currently. We are happy to inform you all that we are one of his first official clients and have already referred him to some other folks we know that are interested in his services. Logan loves to KAYAK too and we will get him on the WATER several times this year… maybe even with a GO-PRO!!!!!
