About Us
Dara Allen- Owner
I was born and raised on an island off the northern end of Vancouver Island called Malcolm Island. The town "Sointula" is a small Finnish Community with about 500 people. After I graduated high school in 1996, I moved to Nanaimo where I attended Malaspina University College. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Geography and Liberal Studies Minor, a Physical Education diploma in 2000 and a Tourism Studies Diploma in 2002.
I moved to Radium Hot Springs in 2002 and started working as a front desk agent at the Radium Resort. I also worked at the Radium Hot Springs Pools as a lifeguard/cashier.
Over the years I have held several different positions ranging from Front Desk, Night Audit, Lifeguard/Swim Instructor, Aquatic Director at Fairmont Hot Springs and Panorama Mountain Resort, lift attendant at the ski hill (Panorama) and groundskeeper. I also ran my own company (2009-2017) teaching swimming lessons, first aid courses, water safety instructor courses and Lifesaving courses, as well as opened and closed a strata pool located in Radium. I retired from teaching swimming in 2017 when my identical twin girls were in grade 4.
In 2016, I started as a strata assistant at Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. In 2018, I completed my strata management licensing exam and became a Licensed strata manger. I worked closely with the late William Weissig (RIP AUGUST 2023) and learned a lot about strata management. From 2019-2024 I was the General Manager of Mountain Creek Properties Ltd, as well as a strata manager for my own set of properties. I retired from strata management in October 2024.
In the Spring of 2023, I saw a need for helping locals and visitors get to and from golf courses, pubs and bars and different events and establishments around the Columbia valley. I offered rides "by donation" as I worked on getting all the appropriate licensing in place. After a lot of hard work and outpouring local support, I was approved for a passenger transportation license for a "passenger directed vehicle" in April 2024. After several 92 day Temporary Operating Permits, I was finally approved September 2, 2025 to add (2) small year round vehicles to my fleet bringing my fleet total to 3.
I will continue to work towards building my fleet (1 more vehicle) and providing this service to the Columbia Valley. The support from everyone has been heartwarming.
My team (Lisa, Tim, Sean, Mike, Dean, Darlene, Kathy) and I look forward to working with the local community and the many thousands of visitors and second home owners within the Columbia Valley each year with all of your transportation needs along with any food/liquor/grocery deliveries you may need.
Contact us today (text/call) (250) 342-1348 or EMAIL to see how we can help! TEXT IS PREFERRED and we will get back to you at our earliest opportunity.
Our "pod" of Dolphins
The "Pod"
6 of our 8 drivers made it out to Ozzie's Amusement for our 1st of many mini golf tournaments. We all had a blast and "Sean" was the winner for Fall of 2025.
(Left to Right: Dean, Mike, Dara, Sean, Lisa, Darlene)
I am greatly honored to have such amazing employees who all want to work for Dara's Dolphins and will assist in any way they can.
DARA
I have been in the valley for 23 years and absolutely love the area and the "small town feel" everywhere I go.
I love driving and exploring the area along with showing visitors to the area all the great places to go see and do.
Thank you so much for your continued support.
LISA
LISA
Lisa joined the Dara's Dolphins team in September 2024. She is new to the Columbia Valley, however, has settled in and absolutely loves living in the area and looks forward to exploring all the area has to offer.
Lisa helps with dispatching and will be the other dolphin (besides myself) that will be answering the phone and responding to texts.
TIM
LISA
Tim joined the Dara's Dolphins Team in October 2024 and will assist with driving for our longer trips to Cranbrook, Banff and/or Calgary. Tim has lived in the valley since 2003.
SEAN
Darlene
SEAN
Sean started with Dara's Dolphins in May 2025 and has jumped right into the swing of things on our busy weekends.
MIKE
Darlene
SEAN
Mike started with Dara's Dolphins in May 2025 (May Long) and jumped right into one our busiest weekends with an enthusiastic smile and lots of energy.
Darlene
Darlene
Darlene
Darlene started with Dara's Dolphins in July 2025 and is excited to be part of the pod.
Dean
Kathy S
Darlene
Dean started with Dara's Dolphins in July 2025 and is excited to be part of the pod. Picture to follow soon.
Kathy S
Kathy S
Kathy S
Kathy is very excited to being driving part-time with us and you'll see her on evenings and weekends. Kathy has lived in the valley for many years as well has had her own business in which I worked for her about 14 years ago.
STAFF IN TRAINING
TRISHA
TRISHA
TRISHA
Trisha joined the Dara's Dolphins team in Spring of 2024 and has been helping part-time with deliveries as she keeps herself busy with family and other full-time work. She is working on getting her Class 4.
NANCY
TRISHA
TRISHA
Nancy has expressed interest in getting her Class 4 and do some driving part-time for our team. This section will be updated once she has gotten her license.