From rafting wild rivers to teaching rescue skills, Shane’s journey since graduating from TRU’s Adventure Studies program has been nothing short of an adventure. His guiding career has taken him across the globe—from the glacial waters of Alaska and the Yukon to the rivers of Africa and South America—before flowing into new roles closer to home in British Columbia. Along the way, he discovered a passion for helping others stay safe in the outdoors, leading him to found his own company, Lotic Swiftwater Rescue, where he now teaches the next generation of adventurers essential river safety and first aid skills.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What have you been up to since graduation?
Since graduating, life has taken many different paths. Guiding life has allowed me to follow rivers working and travelling in places like Alaska/Yukon, California, Africa, South America and here in British Columbia.
I was also introduced to the medical world shortly after graduating from TRU. After taking Ski Skills in my second year, I was able to get into Ski Patrol. This translated years later into working for the BC Ambulance Service in Kamloops.
My new path has brought me to teaching both Wilderness First Aid for WMA and Swiftwater Rescue for my own company Lotic Swiftwater Rescue.
What inspired you to apply for the Adventure Studies program?
I heard about the Adventure Program from a friend and former TRU Adventure Studies student Mac Graham. We were talking about what we both wanted to do after high school. Being like-minded and having grown up together spending our summers in Margaree Valley in Cape Breton, NS, we shared common interests and goals. During that conversation he mentioned a school out west that focused on adventure in the outdoor industry. As we looked through the Adventure Studies webpage, we saw our paths!
Looking back, what skills or experiences from the Adventure Guide program have been the most valuable in your career?
The biggest take away I got from the Adventure Studies program was the network of friends and relationships I was able to cultivate. My life is completely shaped by that network. Every opportunity I’ve had has come in part from that amazing group of people I’m lucky to call friends.
What are you currently doing for work? How did you get there—what was your career pathway or journey?
Recently I started Lotic Swiftwater Rescue. Lotic means “to live in swift moving waters”. A lotic community is made up of the plants, animals and organisms that live in rivers and streams.
The goal of Lotic is to provide swiftwater rescue courses for the river community. We strive to service the needs of professionals and recreationalists in the adventure world and beyond. We do this by providing courses customized for what river lovers need at prices set to help guides afford to obtain and maintain their certifications. Keeping people safe while they enjoy the rivers we love is what drives us.
What advice would you share with current Adventure Studies students?
Put time into forming good relationships. Talk to as many people as you can. Every worth while opportunity most likely starts in some future conversation.
