The Team

Benten Niggel - Owner

Ben started Paddle Cape Cod MA the summer after graduating from the local public high school here in Eastham, Nauset Regional. In the beginning seasons, the company started as a delivery service with the boats stored and cleaned at his home. Ben attended his first year at Harvard College in the Fall of 2019 as a member of the Class of 2023; however, the coronavirus abruptly sent most students home to study online, which Ben did while maintaining straight As.

After his second season in 2020, Covid-19 uniquely allowed Ben the opportunity to take a step back from his academic studies and take a leave of absence to tackle some personal goals as well as grow his company further. In 2021, he welcomed a knowledgable team, including tour guides, and expanded the business inventory to include nearly sixty kayaks and stand up paddle boards. He made the decision to take another leave of absence from college for an additional year to further pursue both professional and personal goals.

Over the last winter, Ben grew Paddle Cape Cod MA again. He is excited to have opened his first brick-and-motor retail location at 4730 State Hwy Building B Eastham MA, 02642 for the Summer of 2022. Dubbed the "Beach Shop and Local Artisan Market" it truly is your one stop shop for everything before and after the beach-- from boogie boards, to beach games, and Sun Bum, we have it all! Expanding his rental service, we offer "Rent Your Beach Day" with varying sizes of YETI coolers, the Great Island Cape Cod Beach Chair Backpack, Baja beach blankets, and sturdy beach umbrellas. His focus is quality and supporting locals first, so when you shop throughout the store look for over two dozen local business pop-ups; it's integrated throughout from local beach towels (Chatham, MA), and zipper bags (Brewster, MA) to Cape Shark Clothing (Chatham, MA) and artisans like artists, photographers, local honey farms (Harwich, MA), handcrafted soaps (Wellfleet, MA), candles (Marstons Mills, MA) and so much more.

Ben's passions beyond being on the water include business, spending time with friends around bon fires, riding his motorcycle, and throwing the tennis ball for his dog, Bruno. He is always looking to expand his network.

John Shaw - Head Tour Guide

I am a retired Engineer who, with my wife Kitty and our sons, has called Eastham

“home” for almost three decades.

My love of kayaking began when I accepted an invitation from UCLA to try out for

collegiate crew. Rowing for UCLA, I discovered the exhilarating sensation of flying

on water when human muscle and poise are in harmony with a fragile boat. Thirty

years later, I accepted a friend’s invitation to try kayaking, rekindling my sensation

of flying on water. Kayaking quickly became a favorite pastime for Kitty and me to

fly away fro the madding crowd.

With the sensation of flight and freedom kayaking offers, a bad day on the water

beats a good day at the office for me hands down. My desire for you is to make any

time you join me on the water a great time.

John is CPR and First Aid Certified by the Red Cross. This is his second season with Paddle Cape Cod Ma.

Cecelia Root - Tour Guide

This is Cece’s first summer with Paddle Cape Cod MA, and she is excited to share her passion for adventure and exploring the outdoors with others!

Cece grew up in Andover, MA but spent her summers at her Grandparents’ home in Harwich Port. She recently graduated with a Masters in Elementary Education from Merrimack College while teaching third grade.

In addition to leading tours, Cece runs an Etsy shop where she sells funny t-shirts, sweatshirts, and digital downloads online. On her days off, Cece enjoys roller blading, painting, hanging at the beach, and searching for the best sunset spots on Cape.

Take a tour or book a rental with Cece this summer!

Cece is CPR and First Aid certified by the Red Cross.

Sasha Milsky - Tour Guide

Sasha was born and raised in Chicago but spent her summers at her grandparents’ house on Town Cove in Eastham. This is her first summer working at Paddle Cape Cod MA, but she has been kayaking in the National Seashore salt marshes since she was 9 years old.

She recently graduated from Union College with a major in Biology and a minor in Classics and will be working part-time at The Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown when not leading kayak tours. She plans to apply to Ph.D programs in marine ecology this coming fall. Sasha previously worked for the Town of Orleans as an endangered species monitor where her team was tasked with protecting piping plovers, least terns, and diamondback terrapins. She is excited to share her passion for marine ecosystems and shorebirds during her saltmarsh tours.

Stop by the shop or take a tour with Sasha this summer!

Sasha is CPR and First Aid Certified by the Red Cross.

Karen Long - Manager

My husband and I moved to the Cape in September of 2005 from Western Massachusetts. We enjoyed the sailing life aboard a 36 foot Moody for about 10 years, sailing from Watch Hill Rhode Island, to Block Island, to Martha’s Vineyard and Long Island.

After the “sailing bug” left us we traveled the Northeast in our RV and enjoyed many New England sites. We now enjoy our relaxing life on Cape Cod with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Clare.

Before our retirement, I worked in the Mental Health field for most of my life.

This will be my first summer working at Paddle Cape Cod and am looking forward to a new adventure.

Madeline Elliott

This is Madeline’s first summer with Paddle Cape Cod MA, but she has spent summers on the Cape since her childhood; she especially loved her grandparents house in Eastham (fun fact - her parents met in Harwich, MA!).

She recently graduated from the College of William and Mary with a double-major in Government and Spanish, which was useful during her study abroad in Peru. Currently on a gap year before law school, Madeline is looking forward to working on and around the water this summer.

Her favorite Cape beaches include Nauset in Orleans, MA and Head of the Meadow in Truro, MA, and her favorite food is Pesto! She’s so excited to work with Paddle Cape Cod MA this summer!

Courtney Redihan

Courtney lives in Orleans and is a current student at Nauset Regional High School. She is annually employed by Charles Moore Areana in Orleans, MA the local skating rink. She skates hockey casually.

She is a regular volunteer at Wildcare, in Eastham where her father and her frequently rescue hurt animals in distress across the Cape. Her favorite animals include squirrels, chipmunks, turtles, and all birds, especially owls. You can also find her volunteering to score keep games at the rink.

When she is not in the community, Courtney is relaxing on the Nauset outer beach. Her family is lucky enough to own a dune shack out in Orleans, where she hosts the best bon fires on late nights.

At Nauset, she is involved in softball, is the manager of the Hockey Team and is a leader among her peers.

Courtney's passions beyond being on the water include her traveling sports team and driving around the back-roads of the Cape jamming to her favorite play lists.