Meet Isabella, a first-year Adventure Studies student whose passion for water, travel, and community has taken her from the surf breaks of Ecuador to the shores of the Great Lakes. She’s now carving a new path here in BC, building her skills and finding ways to make adventure more inclusive for everyone.
Tell us a little about yourself – Where you are from, how you spend your time, etc.
I’m originally from Toronto and have been living in BC for almost a year now! I’m passionate about anything to do with the water and I’ve been very lucky to travel over the past few years living and working in surf and skate communities in Ecuador, Mexico, Europe, and back home on the Great Lakes.
What drew you to this program, and what are you most looking forward to this year?
I grew up very much as a city kid and only started getting myself into adventure sports in the last few years. Despite travelling and working quite a bit in outdoor communities in other countries, I always wanted to explore more of Canada and get involved in the communities that are already here.
I love that this program is open to people of all skill levels and that it gives you the opportunity to get the foundational skills in so many sports to discover what you’re good at and passionate about, and that from there you can carve your own path.
Other than surf, I’m most looking forward to Ski Tour 1 and getting some backcountry lines under my belt!
What do you hope to do with your training after completing the program?
I want to bring people together out in the water! Swimming and surfing are so empowering and everyone deserves the opportunity to feel the magic that comes from that. I plan to keep teaching surf, skate and swim with a focus on building community, connecting with the people who protect and take care of the waters, and to ultimately work towards making the adventure sport industry as a whole more open and accessible for everyone.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about apply?
I would say if you’re at all interested in adventure sports, this program is one of the best entry points to almost every one! If you show up open and ready to try things that challenge you I can guarantee that you’ll get a rewarding experience no matter where it takes you.
Thanks for sharing, Isabella!
