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.
I will continue to work towards building my fleet and providing this service to the Columbia Valley. The support from everyone has been heartwarming.
My team (Lisa, Tim, Rob, Sean, Mike, and I along with are staff in training (Kathy, Dean, Trisha & Dan) 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 bookings@darasdolphins.net to see how we can help! TEXT IS PREFERRED and we will get back to you at our earliest opportunity.
Our "pod" of Dolphins
DARA
DARA
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.
We are excited to have you ride with Dara's Dolphins and or have us deliver something to you. Contact us for more details. (250) 342-1348
LISA
DARA
DARA
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
DARA
TIM
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.
ROB
DARA
TIM
Rob joined the Dara's Dolphins team in December 2024 and is well versed in commercial driving. He has always wanted to live in the Columbia Valley and looks forward to living and working in the valley.
SEAN
SEAN
SEAN
Sean started with Dara's Dolphins in May 2025 and has jumped right into the swing of things on our busy weekends. Picture coming soon
MIKE
SEAN
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.
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.
DAN
TRISHA
TRISHA
Dan is new to the Dara's Dolphins team and has been assisting with deliveries, however has been a HUGE supporter of the company since inception and we are excited to have him in board once he gets his Class 4!
DEAN
TRISHA
KATHY
Dean is excited to get his Class 4 and do some driving part-time for our team. He has passed his knowledge test and is just waiting to complete his road test in July unless he can get in earlier.
KATHY
KATHY
KATHY
Kathy is excited to get her Class 4 and do some driving part-time for our team. This section will be updated once she has gotten her license.
NANCY
KATHY
NANCY
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.