About Us

History: Whitecap Kayak was started by the youth group leaders of the Range Community Bible Church to provide a stimulating environment for mentoring young men & women as they train as guides for summer employment.

Neal Schroeter - is the director of Whitecap Kayak. He otherwise works as an emergency room physician in Ironwood & serves as the pastor of the Range Community Bible Church. He has paddled mostly whitewater for over 20 years.

Lara Schroeter - is a student at the U of MN - Duluth, majoring in international studies. Kayaking since she was old enough to hold a paddle, Lara loves to introduce anyone interested to the sport.

Marcus Bratu grew up on the lake called Gitchigumi and would spend the rest of his life living on her shoreline if given the option. His main trade is wood working and managing a small buisness called Hardwood Interiors. He feels truly blessed to be able to live the life he does and is thankful for the people he’s able to call friends.

He loves kayaking, snowboarding, surfing, God, sailing, random acts of stupidity, talking to himself, speed (not the drug), teaching people/introducing people to new things, hiking, road biking, music, farts, LOVES Loves Cooking...
Favorite Bible verse is
Philippians 4:13..

Hannah Borth - is always smiling and singing. A student at Gogebic Community College, she loves to interact with everyone she comes across. She is affectionately nicknamed “mom” by the junior guides.

Ben Noren - ...is always active and loves any outdoor sport in which he can race. He is currently training for collegiate nordic skiing and studying to be an engineer.

Rachel Borth - is an R.N. and an ardent shoe-hater. Never indoors, she is “the queen of endurance” and is game for any activity- especially if it’s around water.

LeaAnn Schroeter - works as a Pediatrician in Hurley-Ironwood. She paddled whitewater when long boats were cool. Now, she prefers her long kayak on Lake Superior.

Mark Silver - Mark has paddled since… well a long time! He loves to get out on the Gile Flowage to cruise the islands and paddle on Lake Superior whether on the south shore near home or the always interesting Apostle Islands. In the summer if he’s not paddling he’s probably hunting muskies, spending time with his wife Margaret or working his Real Estate business (his real job). Winter is filled with snowboard riding instruction, (he’s a level 2 instructor) cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Mark is fun to paddle and camp with and has a lot of area history to share with you. He loves living in the U.P. and sharing the outdoors. He looks forward to meeting you. Ask him about his grandsons.

Elsa Schroeter - has kayaked from coast to coast, & from Mexico to China. She just spent the last two years volunteering in Nepal, and is now back & ready for another year of kayaking!

Clint Mabie - is a lineman with the Xcel Energy. He is a level 3 certified ACA instructor and loves teaching paddling skills. His favorite trips are when he can paddle long and hard with his wife and sons.

Sydney Mabie - is a paramedic, and the guides love her experienced input during the wilderness first responder training. She is also a camp chef extraordinaire.