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, the pandemic 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 fifty kayaks and stand up paddle boards.
For the 2022 season, Ben pened his first brick-and-motor retail location at 4730 State Hwy Building B Eastham MA, 02642. Dubbed the "Beach Shopt" 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), handcrafted soaps (Wellfleet, MA), candles (Marstons Mills, MA) and so much more.
Now entering his 5th season with Paddle Cape Cod, Ben is very excited for whats in store for 2023. Stay tuned :)
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. Introduce yourself to Ben today, he would love to connect. Adventure@paddlecapecodma.com
John - 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.
Phil - Tour Guide
My wife Diane and I have enjoyed summering and paddling on Cape Cod for 35 years.
Since retiring as an engineer at Raytheon, I spend the Cape paddling season in beautiful Brewster MA. When off cape, I enjoy paddling the Blackstone and Connecticut rivers, and occasional wilderness trips to the Adirondacks, New Hampshire, and northern Maine. More recently, I’ve been exploring the blackwater rivers of the Carolina “low country” and section backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.
This is my second year guiding paddle tours with Paddle Cape Cod MA. I thoroughly enjoy working with our experienced and fun-loving team, and especially enjoy our Nauset Marsh touring area, which is among the most beautiful and wild places on the Cape! I look forward to a year of meeting interesting clients and sharing great paddling adventures.
Phil is CPR and First Aid Certified by the Red Cross.
Chell - Tour Guide
I achieved my dream of retiring to Cape Cod 1 1/2 years ago. Formerly I worked in public health at UConn and lived on Coventry Lake CT. There I spent many pleasant hours kayaking, swimming and water skiing.
I am happiest outdoors and thrilled to be exploring all that the Cape offers - salt water, kettle ponds, bike ways and hiking trails. I am fascinated by the diversity of ecosystems from arid dunes, to cedar swamps, to pine forests. Nauset Marsh is especially intriguing, home to much wildlife and an important means of clearing pollutants.
As a tour guide, I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for kayaking and this remarkable salt marsh. While we’re on the water I’d enjoy hearing about your experiences on the Cape as well.
Chell is CPR and First Aid certified by the Red Cross.
This is her first season with Paddle Cape Cod MA.
Karen
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.
Sage
Sage's Bio Coming Soon
Lisa
I am a physical education teacher and lacrosse coach currently working in Brooklyn, NY but am a New Englander at heart having been born and raised in Suffield, CT. I have spent every summer on Cape Cod and cannot get enough of the beautiful beaches - my favorites being Nauset Light, Nauset, and Race Point. I am an avid runner, biker, and am training for my first marathon in October. I also love hiking, yoga, paddle boarding and everything else the great outdoors has to offer.
This is my first year working for Paddle Cape Cod and I cannot wait to have a great summer with you all!
Morgan
Morgan's Bio Coming Soon