The Bitches ‘n Barrels Team

Co-founder, Director of Operations, Board Chair, and Trip Lead

Melissa moved to the island in 2015 to pursue her life long dream of becoming a surfer. She is passionate about creating space for women in male-dominated industries and spent most of her adult life working as a Project Manager in the silviculture industry. In addition to surfing, Melissa loves potatoes, good spreadsheets, fizzy water, and soup.

Co-founder, Executive Director, and Trip Lead

After living in Tofino, Korea, and Germany, Madi settled down in Victoria to study holistic nutrition and herbal medicine with a focus on women’s health. Madi loves naps, skinny dipping, ice cream, Mary’s crackers, and her German manfriend/life partner named Mo.

Director of Marketing, Vice Chair, and Trip Lead

Amanda was born and raised in Vancouver. She now lives in Victoria and has two rad dogs, a grown-up job, and a sense of humour that will make your abs hurt. She loves kayaking, surfing, and knitting. We love Amanda are are so grateful for all her help and support.

Board Treasurer and Trip Lead

Mary is the COOLEST. She’s an interior designer, an awesome surfer, an avid adventurer, and an essential member of the BnBs team! When she’s not hard at work you’ll find Mary either camping in a south island parking lot or travelling abroad. In addition to her sweet designs and rad surf skills, Mary also takes incredible photographs.

Board Secretary and Trip Lead

Chelsea rules. She has been on many BnBs trips, and makes a point of sharing her vast knowledge of the ocean and ocean conservation with our participants! When she’s not surfing or hiking, you can probably find Chelsea wading in the tideline looking at creatures.

Trip Lead

Born and raised on Vancouver Island there's a lot of nostalgia flowing through her psyche every surf trip. Robyn swears to protect the planet and social equality as best as she can while inspiring others to do the same. She teaches yoga, dabbles in pottery, and loves photography and filmmaking. She's currently helping non-profits like BnBs reach their business development goals through grant writing consulting.

Trip Lead

Originally from Montreal and now based in Vancouver, Lauren braves the BC Ferries summer chaos to surf and share the stoke with our participants. Lauren loves surfing, warm bread, and her Dyson vaccuum. When asked why she wants to lead BnBs trips, Lauren said “I love working with BnBs because I owe any of my surf abilities to my girlfriends and to BnB trips I took a while back, and it allows me to foster and give back to that community. It’s also just super fun!”

Trip Lead

Sydney is born and raised on Vancouver Island, but spends a good chunk of each year chasing warmer waters and surfing abroad. In addition to being a proper ripper, Sydney is an avid crafter, skiier, climber, mountain biker (basically all cool things). She can also knit and sew. She’s basically good at everything, including being an incredible trip lead.