Eli was born and raised in Minnesota, where he developed a love for the outdoors. He would often go camping and head to the North Shore as a kid and a teenager. The land of 10,000 lakes instilled his love of being on the water. For a while, he worked as a teacher. Then a few years ago, he decided to transition into the world of outdoor guiding. For two years, he guided in Ketchikan, Alaska, where he bolstered his paddling and guiding skills. The San Juans had always been a place of interest with their quick currents and dynamic water. Eli decided to take his love of paddling to another level by coming to Anacortes to work as a guide.