interview

Tyler Curtis Tyler By reaching out to encompass

more disciplines and niches in the world, I have allowed myself more opportunities. interview

Raised on the banks of Canada’s infamous Ottawa River, whitewater has been a part of Tyler Curtis’ life for almost as long as he can remember. Taking his fi rst strokes in the front of a C-2 at age 9, Tyler was shaped by the waters of the Ottawa and the community that gathered around its amazing playspots and big water rapids. Early on, whitewater for Tyler was only what was happening on the Ottawa, but a 3-month trip to Honduras after high school exposed him to a wider world of and turned out to be the fi rst step toward a lifetime of international whitewater exploration. Growing up on the Ottawa it was inevitable that freestyle would play a crucial role in Tyler’s paddling career. In constant competition with his local paddling friends, they were all trying to be fi rst to learn the new tricks, surf the biggest holes, get the biggest trashings, and the most days in the season. Entering - and winning - his fi rst competition in 1996, Tyler has enjoyed continued success in the realm of freestyle, claiming fi ve Canadian National Championships and holding a place on the Canadian Freestyle Team for six World Championships. But Tyler’s talents extend far beyond the competitive realm. He has tried his hand in nearly every aspect of whitewater paddling, and through hard work, dedication, enthusiasm, and a strong dose of natural talent, he has experienced a high measure of success. An inspired teacher, Tyler owns and operates schools in two countries. A dedicated explorer, he has paddled challenging rivers in more than 30 countries and written two guidebooks. Also making solid contributions to product development and industry growth, Tyler is the quintessential ‘do it all’ kayaker. To fi nd out how he manages to do what he does and do it all very well, we caught up with Tyler as he left his base in Norway to head home for spring high water on the Ottawa.

KS: With all the amazing places you spend time in away from home, is it still sweet And Norway. Well…I know for a fact that Norway is the one destination talked about by to head home to the Ottawa? all kayakers. The whitewater is some of the best in the world and the numerous rivers TC: The Ottawa is like my own personal Nirvana. It is the place I have paddled the give a wide range of opportunities for paddling. A world-class, high-end company to most and no matter how long I stay away I feel completely home when I am there. I cater to the kayaking enthusiast was lacking and the opportunity was too good to pass guess it is for this reason that I built a house on the river. I always knew that I wanted up. With a solid bases set up I am now able to spend time all 3 of the best countries for paddling in the world - Canada, Norway and Chile. to have something of my own on the Ottawa, and my long-term goal is now a reality. It is kinda weird that I spend minimal time there but no matter what happens in life KS: How long have you been guiding and teaching and what do you get out of doing it? I know I have a ‘home’ to go to! TC: I get a great satisfaction from teaching, coaching, and guiding kayaking. To KS: Where else do you call home these days? have the opportunity to share with others what I have learned and what I know is a great thing. Through my days on the water I meet a ton of great people who also live TC: Norway has been the place I have been calling home for the past few years. I have interesting lives and it’s helped me in create a worldwide network of fellow paddlers. I been following opportunities that have allowed me to spend my summers in the country have been teaching kayaking for 16 years now and see a long future of being involved of fjords, mountains, lakes, trolls, and a lifetime of creeking. Norway Daze has been on many levels of instructing, coaching, and guiding. Tyler Curtis growing a solid clientele base and experiencing success for the past 3 years. Who knows how big it can go. KS: Teaching is pretty opposite to being a sponsored, high profi le athlete. How do you do both? Do you think the combination attract clients? ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? I have also continued to spend a few months in Chile every season. The paddling is fantastic and luckily takes place when everything in the Northern Hemisphere is frozen. TC: I might have to disagree with the opinion that instructing, coaching, and guiding is not ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? Having my company Whitewater Chile allows me to make some money in the off-season what being sponsored is about. In this era of being a sponsored athlete we are expected to and travel to get more days of paddling in every season. do more for the support we receive. You can no longer just be a ‘good’ kayaker and get things ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? for free. If you want to exceed the norm you have to raise the bar, and if we want to grow ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. ?? ? ??????? ?? ? ?? ? ? ?. KS: Why did you choose Futaleufu and Norway for your school bases? the sport of kayaking we have to encompass all aspects of the sport. My current sponsors are TC: The Rio Futaleufu is the greatest river in the world. After my fi rst visit to the Futa I very supportive and excited about my involvement in this area of the industry. I can connect knew it would be a place I would continue to return to year after year. With my experience with a huge market and showcase the product I feel is the best! Instructing, coaching, and Words and Photography: ???????????? instructing and coaching it seemed only perfect to start up a kayaking vacation company. guiding is one of the best ways to generate sales for products and my sponsors brand.

INTERVIEW 28 29 30 INTERVIEW interview Tyler Curtis raise the bar, exceed the norm you have to athletes are getting less and less. Athletes are defi nitely TC: nothing thesedays. Would you agree? virtually getting are some but less, and less getting of circles small sponsored athletes, word is that athletes are not the only Among kayaking. in athletes whitewater sponsored most the of one are the You KS: as area this in future whitewater worldcontinues good togrow and prosper. a see I vacation. internationalpaddling an go quality to wanting or instruction for looking those for interest generate helps athlete and instructor top a as reputation my think I and getthingsforfree. You can no longer just be a ‘good’ kayaker aspects ofthesport. sport of kayaking we have to encompass all wud ae o ge o te ttmn that statement the on agree to have would I and if we want to grow the If you want to modern day ideology of hucking. the of roots and creeking of birthplace the is Corsica opinion, my In Corsica. to back traced be can footage video old super and images great many So Rizzaneze. the of waterfall the from image fantastic a as well as envisionstill can photosI of longtight in boats creeks located. were they where and images the of note and take magazines the out check continually would I it, do to around driving and whitewater, technical down visit. When I fi rst started falling off waterfalls, blasting TC: Corsica). recently most and Futaleufu the featured has (which Series Guides KayakofVideo the hosts Session ofthe very a Corsica last year where also you paddled and fi are lmed as one you in trip your about boater. that Tellus creek accomplished it has word paddler… teacher,a being with Along guide,KS: sponsored and job withinthe industry. these companies and perhaps one-day I’ll fi nd my dream within involvement very more toward working in interested am I distribution. and better materials, and development, a research marketing, gained branding, have about tools. knowledge I learning companies as sponsors these my Through all consider also I products they generate. the on input valuable give to me potential allow also fullest they and my to sponsor’s paddle My to paddle. me allow I products brands the in believe also I travel and paddle. ForthisIamverygrateful. equipment I require and still continue to have budget to couldn’t really afford to simply go out and purchase the TC: guidebooks, writing teaching, traveling, competingetc…? like plate, your on sponsorship the things other many so have onyou when especially path, continue are why you little if so words, getting other In sort here? some contradiction there Is of enough… get not saying are do others, kayakers and you, time same the at and athlete sponsored the of epitome the almost are you some For sponsors. your to dedicated seem You KS: want todo. we what do to opportunities create to become can we creativehow and live we life the about paddlers as are dream. I think it is interesting to see how passionate we the fifund to to ones ways motivateddifferent thend competing for a smaller piece of the pie, which is forcing The reality of the sponsorship world is that I that is world sponsorshipkayakthe of reality The Corsica was one of the places I had always wanted to other than the fact that one discipline does not fulfinot does discipline one that ll fact the than other TC: all in top on stay to disciplines? How doyou copewiththatchallenge? do you do What whitewater of kayaking. aspects most well) very do (and do you fact the is by intrigued were we what you, with interview an with ahead go to decided we When KS: large waterfalls. run to FUN and rewardingfi quite and waterfallsit nd numbera dorun have I ofall. it meter22-25 (60-75ft) the big ones. This is just another aspect of my desire to stuff on a daily basis but I am notmonster one theto shy away run from I that say wouldn’t I LEGIT. is doing are they what and skilled, motivated, are guys These fito goingfor. are looking run stouts are thethey what nd to required skills the perfect to energy and time the forth putting and this on direction.focusing are who this Those in moving is kayaking The of strange. progression that really not is waterfalls bigger running bigger is and crew this that fact The ago. short years few a expected have could we what than more much so is kayakingof world new Themotivating. and TC: running really diffi cultrapids? also you to addition in Haverunner waterfall big regular a going? become is sport the way the simply that’s think you those do or think hard, too you going are do paddlers – waterfalls bigger much and footers 60 running regularly folks see you When KS: walking through of the dense Patagonian forest. hours 6 us took that section canyon 2km a to had we off all it top to and next coming maps were less than useful to give us details about what was Our seconds. 10 for under kayak loaded fully a take would that whirlpools and boils with whitewater III class in minds our of out scared continually water the on days 3 spent We rain. and wind only delivered weather the water the on were weather.we goodOnce of window small a in river flthe a into took oatplane hugeflvolumerunninga river at oodingcfs.60,000 We a was This PatagoniaChile. in Pascua Rio the on 2004 in expedition an was memory my in most out stands Phillips put it ‘pain is the purifi er’. The hardest trip that friendAndygoodmy as but easy not is suppliesof full kayak a headwater.Hiking the to lakes small mountains,2 across 3 over hike 18km the was adventure the of part toughest Norway.The in Aamodtdalen sometimes the into and was mission logistics challenging One levels. water to or weather due was it Sometimes TC: KS: Whatisthehardest paddlingtripyou’ve done? both videos. talking to the camera, which lead to my involvement in guy the be to seem always I reason some For trip. the document and multi-task to I sense made and only it nicely guess so together came plan The committed. immediately was I Corsica to trip a of idea the about Hirter Simon and Gacond Marc fi to I talked When rst The fact that I do it all is not for any particular reason Seeing the runningboys the goodsinspiring very is diffireally few a on been have I paddlingtrips.cult faced for the pastwhile. one of the biggest and most annoying challenges I have perhaps Norway.is in This work and stay to paperwork plan is the continual need for working visa’s and proper masterhindering mything only the Norway.guess in I stay to involved with the NPF is to help see more plan freestyle growth and desire My stronger. get only team will the have we plan focused the with and Worlds 2009 the to team Junior Norwegian strong a sent We for aleader and Imanaged tosuitthe role. more need the get noticed quickly to NPF The followed. desire organized the Norway in grew involvement freestyle and in interest As freestyle. for coaching Freestyler’ Iquickly became the resource for advice and ‘Canadian the As clubs. local the than other programs developmentyouth anyalonekayakingadvanced let or intermediate for coaching or that instruction no realizedwas there quickly I here over instructing started ‘Youngboaters’, and clinics all over Norway. When I fi rst called Programs Development Youth some doing have been I (NPF). Federation Paddling Norwegian the in TC: How didthathappen?Willyou continue? Teamwordscoached last youalso Norway.Atthe KS: World Cup and World Championships. while others are the big international events such as the Some of them are the local festivals and support. freestyle fests, or in believe I what promote that events to within the industry. My focus has now shifted once to again started become important eventsto growing my image international and networking the of Some places. new in up popped ones new and place took longer no theeventscameandwent.Someeventstheyears Over the ‘OttawaCrew’ and the Canadian National Team. good at and I became one of the long-term members of quite became I something was require.It ever could I equipment the fiall and vehicles, free support, nancial my early sponsorship years as I was provided with large offocus major the was sponsors.Competing up pick as well as scene international the in the noticed was get andto way 90’s the in do to thing the was US the TC: career? Hasthatplacechangedthrough theyears? paddling your in had competing has place What KS: and perfecting freestyle moves inworld-classfeatures. learning on time focus or buddies paddling always longtime can I my with flriver motivating. a the downenjoy andoat home very come is and energy with bursting is community river the Ottawa, the to home the world and will continue to do so. Every time I return Ottawa River has produced the some of the best kayakers beginning in the From basis. continual a on myself what inspired me and gave me the is mindset to provideschallenge River Ottawa the whitewater amazing the TC: few sentences, butcanyou try? a diffiin be that might capture it to and cult career has Ottawa inflpowerful a had roots…Thepaddling yourobviously on uence your to back get Let’s KS: my roots onthe OttawaRiver. to back trip a with playboating on focus to time takemake to surealways I paddlingandbut goodsthe majority of my time has been spent in Norway exploring good a years few past the Over internationaltravel. to sort of epic adventure, and more often than notsome it leads plan to manage always I season paddling Every everything seems tobalance itselfquitewell. myself for set have I schedule the and chosen have I lifestyle the with but discipline, each at in paddle level high to a order in time my manage to have do I have allowedmyself more opportunities. I world, whitewater the in nichesand disciplinesmore encompass to out reaching desires.By paddlingmy all Traveling the ‘Rodeo Circuit’ throughout Canada and The people who I started myThewhostarted kayakingpeople I andwith life Over the past two years I have been very involved very been have I years two past the Over Caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption Caption Caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption Caption 31 32 INTERVIEW interview Tyler Curtis n cpue s mn iae ta I et t ol be would it felt I that images many so captured and Futa the on seasons many so spent had I no-brainer. TC: things? write to take it fiyoumany do so did where do and to these time the nd long How Chile. to other the and have Futaleufu, the to you one - guidebooks accomplishments, two written your of Speaking KS: my elbowtoday! and have it replaced with 6-gage wire, which remains in A short 15 days later I went back in to remove the plate into the operating me room for a metal plate and 5 screws. sent again once which pieces, three in elbow my City.Quebec rockandshatteredwaterfallin a clipped I injury major happened 3 years second later in 2004 while running Mya 27meter physiotherapy. of months and surgery 4 required which Worlds, 2001 the before fiinjuries.The just shoulderdislocationmajor a was rst major injuries that could have been paddle two career from recoverending fully to fortunate was I experiences. TC: KS: Ofwhataccomplishment(s)are you mostproud? more… do maybe amasters orteachers college. Who knows! to ability the have and degree to my University better my with studies online in enrolling by from sponsors. This poor decision is now being rectifi ed early to enjoy the fi nancial gains of making big salaries poor decision in the past to leave University a semester a made have might I thing. a change wouldn’t and far have been fortunate enough to live the life I wanted so ‘normal’life.I a monotonousofandliving security the TC: you are inthesport? sacrifior haveyougivenup What KS: wheretobe ced to do iskayak. studies,reallywantI all balance while in and workload home. The true challenge is keeping my fi nances, school move and sometimes thewithout an actual place to currently call on be to seem always I organized. staying TC: in your day-to-day life? fiyou do challenging what most that, nd Beyond KS: Caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption Caption My fi rst book ‘Futaleufu Whitewater’ was a bit of a of bit a fiMywas Whitewater’ ‘Futaleufu book rst The only thing that I have given up or sacrifior up given have I that thing only The is ced y ot hlegn apc o te a-ody is day-to-day the of aspect challenging most My y raet copihet ae hs o life of those are accomplishments greatest My advice andcoachingforfreestyle. Freestyler’ I quickly became the resource for all over Norway. ‘Youngboaters’, and clinics Development Programs called I have been doing some Youth time here and there working on my next book project as model for the rest of the world. I am also spending some Development Program Juniorin Norway is booming and that could become a Our Chile. my Whitewater of marketing company more and growth as well as world, whitewater the with world my sharing for tool better a become can it reworkedso beingof process the in is «http://www.riverplay.ca»HYPERLINK www.riverplay.ca Norway and Sweden that need to be paddled. My specifiwebsite some both as in well regions as c do’ to ‘things TC: you have inmindfor thefuture? KS: What are some of those dreams, plans and schemes me inmy kayak. ideas,keepof will full jammedgoals,that projects and kayaker.a foreverbe alreadywill are years next Myfew I doingthis By sport. thegrow hopefully kayakingand to back give to roles more on take to continue will I to kayaking and without itIamareally grumpyguy! addicted 100% totally am I anything. for up that give hand kayaking has given me so much and I would never makingsomeseriousthe moneypoint.other On this at be might I sport other some on time of amount same TC: doing somethingentirely different? HaveyoueverwhitewaterKS: consideredleavingand can alwaysfi you nd time todo something more! accomplish to want you If rewarding. Writing a book is no easy task but the end result is very the bank account the dream becamein areality. dent big a and folks, good some of work hard and help the With guidebook. most a for country a deserving is Chile wonderland, whitewater absolute an As book. a of formfi theand into something put nally Casey Kurt and Foss John of footsteps the in follow to As for the Whitewater Chile book, it seemed only fi tting to get things done! an short a or time out With for shoulder visit. surgery whitewater I to had a touch wanting of oftime those for piece book inspirational fantastic this to guide personal a be could It others. with world the in river greatest the ofknowledge my share to idea fabulous a Caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption Caption I sometimes think that if I would have focused thefocused have would I if that sometimesthink I A few more countries are very much on the list of list the on much very are countries more few A As the ‘Canadian of kayaking. when possible, and continuing way to mold a thelegacy for the future leading possible, as much as involved staying be will come to years the of part biggest The fi lm of sorts. well as putting together a concept for a potential future