Adam graduated the Adventure Guide Diploma in 2022. He completed the sea kayak, surf, and ski progressions.
Adam is currently the Retail and Marketing Specialist for Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes. He is a member-at-large with the Board of Directors for the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC and a Level 2 Sea Kayak Guide at Spirit of the West Adventures He is even a Level 1 Instructor with Paddle Canada.
Get to know Adam
What have you been up to since graduating from TRU?
Immediately after graduating, I did my first season as an AOG with Spirit of the West, followed by a season of pro patrolling at Mt Washington. In the past year, I’ve taken on more responsibility with the kayak shop and have pivoted to guiding, instructing, and ski patrolling on a part-time basis. I am expecting a baby boy with my wife Nadia in February 2025!
How does your job aid in your career aspirations?
Since my dream has always been to start my own kayaking business (whether that’s a multi-day guiding operation, an instructional outfit, a retail shop, or a combination of the three), my current role at CVKC has been invaluable to my development as an aspiring entrepreneur. On a daily basis, I am making decisions around what products to stock, how to manage inventory effectively, how to get our products in front of the right people, and how to provide the best customer experience to every person that walks into our store or lands on our website.
Taking everything you learned from the Adventure Guide Program, what skills helped you in your current role?
The most helpful skill I learned was networking. It sounds cliche, but operating a small business takes the support of a community, and the connections I have made through guiding and instructing are vast. When you’re an active member of your industry, it strengthens your credibility and creates a sort of gravitational pull that attracts people towards the work you’re doing.
What key advice can you share with our current students?
Think long-term about your career path in the adventure industry. Be honest with yourself about what makes you unique and try to find ways to blend those elements of yourself with your outdoor acumen. It will make you stand out amongst a crowd and make you more employable over the long run.
