I Want Your Job finds people working in the outdoor industry making a living doing exactly what they love to do and asks them how they did it.

Bryan Hansel is a busy guy working in the outdoor industry. He is a professional photographer and kayak guide living in the small, quirky tourist town of Grand Marais, Minnesota which is on the northshore of Lake Superior. He tells the world about his adventures by writing for several outdoor magazines and through his blog, paddlinglight.com.

After guiding for several years, this year he decided to start North Shore Expeditions which offers both day tours and multi-day kayak trips on Lake Superior.

1) How long have you been in business and what got you started?
I've been working as a pro photog for about eight years now. I learned photography in high school in the late 80s and decided that it would be worthwhile to turn a hobby into a job when I moved to Grand Marais.

North Shore Expeditions is a new company that grows out of the private guiding and instruction that I do. I decided that I wanted a fleet of kayaks to get more people on the water, so I turned it into its own company. I've been guiding and instructing kayaking since 2006. Back then I was looking for a fun summer job to get out and meet a bunch of people. I loved it so much that I decided that I wanted to make it a career choice.

Basically, I live in a typical, small, tourist town with limited opportunities for meaningful employment and most of the available jobs have low wages. In order to make anything close to what I made in the corporate sporting goods world, I have to piece together income by wearing a bunch of different hats. Plus I moved here, so I could do what I love doing.

2) What’s the best part of your job?
I love teaching photography workshops and kayaking, and introducing people to the outdoors. Seeing a smile on someone's face after they realize that they just made a great photo or after they learn their first rescue makes it all worth it. I remember one student who struggled with a self rescue. She almost gave up, but with a little gentle encouragement, she pulled through, got the rescue and when we got onshore gave me a big hug and told me how happy and strong she felt that she could do the rescue. I still get warm and fuzzy inside when I think about it.

Plus, I get to be in the outdoors, doing what I'm passionate about. It's "living the dream."

3) What’s the most difficult aspect of the job?
People think that being a photographer or a guide is a glamorous job, but when you're running a small business all the business stuff consumes more time that the photography or guiding. I personally spend more time on marketing than anything else. I wouldn't call it difficult, but it's definitely work.

4) What are two tips you can give to somebody looking to start their own guiding/photography company?
Think twice about it. If you're turning a hobby into a business, you may find that you ruin your hobby. For example, I love to write as a hobby and I went to college to learn how to write at one of the best writing schools in the U.S., and even though I freelance to various magazines the entire process of submitting drags me down and subtracts from my enjoyment, so I usually channel that creative energy into my blogs where it's more enjoyable for me. I wouldn't want to make all my income from writing because it'd wear me out quickly. It's better for me as a hobby. I have friends that have tried to make it as photographers and guides and many of them burn out after a year. It's more work than you think, and you need to approach it with a business sense instead of as a hobby.

The other tip is to build a strong business background either through classes or experience before jumping in. You need to know how to build a business plan, act on the plan to achieve goals and revise it when it's not working. If you're going to be successful, you can't just wing it and hope things turn out. That can work, but you usually end up wasting a bunch of money and time in the process.

5) What about your job do you think would most surprise people?
The cost of gear and the training you have to get. To calculate the cost to take one fine art landscape shot, I have to add up the cost of all my gear to make it: a $3000 camera, $2000 lens, memory cards, batteries, hard drives, computer system, computer programs, classes I've taken, etc.

After adding up everything, the print that I sell for $50, cost me $10,000 to make. For guiding, I have spent over $1,500 to get and update my Wilderness First Responder cert and ACA kayaking certs.

6) If you could tell something to your 18 year-old self, what would it be?
I was 18 in 1989, so I'd tell myself, "Don't wear a white tux and pink cummerbund to your senior prom and cut the mullet!"

Photo Credits: bryanhansel.com

I’m never one to look a gift horse on the mouth but I don’t know if I want this guy trying to find me if/when they ever find him.

Via: Criggo

Suunto has announced the availability of the Ambit, a new model to their extensive line of wrist top computers. The Ambit is aimed towards backcountry hikers, skiers, mountain climbers and comes equipped with a built in GPS navigation system, altimeter, heart rate monitoring system and a 3D compass. This isn’t Suunto’s first GPS enabled watch (if you can call it that) but it is one of the first that doesn’t look like you are carrying a brick on your wrist.

Under the hood of the Ambit has some really interesting technology built in. It has a built in accelerometer that when combined with the GPS is supposed to provide more accurate speed data and a faster response time to speed fluctuations while running or hiking.

To help maximize battery life, the GPS and heart rate functions can be turned off. Expect the rechargeable lithium-ion battery to last about 15 hours with every feature running and 100 hours under normal operation. That might not sound like a long time but you need to remember that this is a tool developed for training or multi-use where you can access a charging source on a semi-regular basis.

Another cool sounding feature of this unit is that you can download and track your training stats on Movescount.com. They have also developed the ability to upgrade the operating system with new features through the same website.

Here are some of the Abmit functions from the press release:

Specialized outdoor functions of the Suunto Ambit include: Full-featured GPS (SIRF IV) navigations with Find Waypoint functionality with route planning, tracking and track logging, 100 waypoint creations in watch and Movescount.com, location in multiple coordinate systems, 3D compass (including military scale), barometric altitude, temperature.

Advanced training functions include: accurate and highly responsive pace with FusedSpeed™, heart rate functionality, including real-time training effect, recovery time, accurate vertical speed with a barometric altimeter and online sports diary with planning and analysis tools in Movescount.com.

Look for the Ambit to be at your local camping store sometime mid to end of March with a price point of about $500 or $500 if you want the wireless heart rate monitor strap.

Not quite the clearest directions but would you believe I have friends who would do a poorer job while out on a canoe trip? It’s true.

Aquapac has just announced a 100%-waterproof case for the iPad.

It’s got a couple of appealing features compared to other waterproof cases on the market including the large twist and clamp opening. When the three camps are closed you know that there is a 100%-waterproof seal.

The other thing that looks very appealing is the 3.5mm nickel-plated earphone socket that allows you to watch movies yet keep the waterproof integrity of the bag intact.

The MSRP is around $60 US.

I would like to introduce you to Kiviak, a traditional winter foodstuff consumed by Greenlandic Inuits. It’s made from a seal carcass stuffed with fermented birds.

From Gizmodo:

Kiviak is relatively simply to make. First, collect approximately 400 Auks. Then, stuff them-beaks, feathers, feet, and all-into the hollowed-out body cavity of a seal, Tauntaun-style. Next, press out as much air as possible from the carcass and seal it with seal grease to prevent spoilage. Finally cover the meat bag with a large rock pile for approximately 3-18 months. During this time, the Auks ferment within the seal until they can be eaten-raw. Thanks to a layer of fat within the seal sack, the Auks soften while they ferment allowing every part of the bird-save feathers-to be consumed.

If you are into traditional Greenland kayaking it’s time to step it up a notch and make sure Kiviak is on the menu at the next Greenland paddling symposium.

Image Credit: Inga Sørensen

I Want Your Outdoor Job is a new series I have started that finds people in the outdoor industry who are making a living doing exactly what they love to do, and asks them how they did it.

First out of the gate are friends of the site, Fiona Westner-Ramsay and Mike Ramsay, owners of Badger Paddles based out of Huntsville, Ontario.

When not working on their canoe paddles, Fiona and Mike are the primary caregivers for their autistic son, Makobe and actively work on autism awareness in Ontario.

1) How long have you been in business and what got you started?

Fiona: Mike and I met over 10 years ago while working at the Toronto Sportsman Show in the Swift Canoe booth. Mike was working for Swift and I was the guest paddle painting artist. We married a few years later. We always had a dream to work in the outdoor industry and own our own business. With my father (a.k.a. Poppa Badger) being a wood worker and finisher as well as inherited owner of the family business, Badger & Son (he was the grandson), we naturally spent time around his shop learning the ropes, working with wood, mostly fine furniture. My parents were avid canoeists, as are Mike and I, and it was just a natural progression for us to take our passion for working with wood and mix it with our passion for paddling. When my dad retired and shut down his business, everything just fell into place and we decided to carry on the Badger family name for a 4th generation. Sharing a shop with a friend in the beginning and only working on weekends, we started Badger® Paddles in Spring 2009 and have never looked back since.

Mike: We have been in business about 3 years now. It was just always something I wanted to do. I knew it wouldn't be easy but I still wanted to do it. We are at it full time now and I couldn't be happier.

2) What’s the best part of your job?

Fiona: One of the best parts of my job is when you put a coat of finish on a paddle and with each coat; you see the depth and the beauty of the wood truly come to life. It's almost mesmerizing at times especially when you work on a birdseye, quilted, curly or burled wood and the grain looks 3-dimensional. You can get visually lost in it.

I also really like the conversations with the customers and people we interact with in the industry, on Facebook, and Twitter, etc. It's so much fun!

Mike: Test paddling! Being able to make things with my hands that people will actually use and enjoy and is made from local natural resources is fantastic. It’s also a great excuse to fill the shop with tools.

3) What’s the most difficult aspect of the job?

Fiona: We don't really ever get away from our work because we mostly work from home - even when we go paddling we have Badger with us now!

Mike: One of the most difficult aspects is the production planning. Having everything timed right from the kiln to the expected shipping date.

4) What are two tips you can give to somebody looking to start their own paddle making company?

Mike: I would have to say that if you are trying to start any company, make sure you have a business plan but talk to other paddle makers first. They are a great group of people and are always happy to talk trade with a passionate wood worker and fellow paddler. Also, keep your fingers out of the saw.

Fiona: I like what Mike said. Definitely contact other paddle makers and make a connection. We count a number of paddle makers as friends. You also have to decide if you are going to do it all by hand or use machines. And make paddles for friends and family and get their feed back before you go out there with your product. When we walked into one store when we first started - the guy took one look at our paddles and let out a big sigh of relief. He then told us that they get people in trying to sell paddles all the time and when they show up with their goods - they are wonky and not consistent enough to sell in a store.

5) What about your job do you think would most surprise people?

Mike:  I think people would be amazed at how many steps there are in the process and the number of times that a piece of wood is handled before it's a finished paddle, ready for dipping in the water for the first time.

Fiona: I think people would be surprised at how difficult it can be sometimes, when you get a really nicely grained paddle that is light in weight, to hand it over to someone else and not ever get to use it yourself!

Photo Credits: Badger Paddles

Things recently got awkward on a recent episode of Jeopardy! when Alex Trebek struck up a conversation with Duke senior, Greer Mackebee about his love for competitive concrete canoe making.

Trebek’s follow-up question caused the whole mid-show interview to completely sink. (Sorry about that.)

Image credit: knoxville.com

The 7^th annual Reel Paddling Film Festival premiered last night at The Royal Cinema on College Street in Toronto, hosted by The Complete Paddler. The keen audience was treated to the first screenings of some of the year’s award winning films. The full list of winners are:

1. Best Sea Kayaking Film: In Rescues – Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown, you’ll see exciting and practical rescue coaching sessions from one of the world’s top coaches.

2. Best Canoeing Film: Tracing the Columbia brings together two historical moments: David Thompson’s charting of the Columbia River in 1811 and the 45-day journey paddling the river to mark the 200^th anniversary of Thompson’s achievement.

3.  Best Whitewater Film: In Wildwater, journey into the places only river runners can go.  It’s a visually stunning feast for the senses, and an expedition into new ideas.

4. Best Kayak Fishing Film: ExOfficio Presents Kayak Fishing: Game On 4 Jim Sammons hooks up with Paul Harwood on the Fraser River in BC with the goal of catching one of the areas enormous sturgeon.

5.  Best Environmental Paddling Film: The Pipedreams Project follows 3 kayakers on their epic two-month expedition to oppose a $5.5 Billion pipeline project in British Columbia.

6.  Best Paddling Documentary: Chasing Water is the story of Pete McBride, a child of the Colorado River, as he decides to follow the water from his ranch in Western Colorado to see where it ends up.  

7.  Best Amateur/Short Paddling Film: So Fine sees Zac Crouse develop banjo paddling with the help from a Muppet.

8.  Best Instructional Paddling Film: Advanced Classic Solo Canoeing with Becky Mason will leave you spellbound by the advanced strokes and maneuvers she shows and the stunning underwater camera angles. 

9.  Best Stand-up Paddling Film: In Standup 4 Greatbear, Norm Hann takes us on a 400km SUP expedition through the Great Bear Rainforest, and along the proposed North Coast oil tanker route.

“We have more screenings in more cities than ever before,” says Scott MacGregor, Founder and Publisher of Rapid Media “With so many new paddling shops, clubs and events hosting the World Tour, we’re well on our way to blowing 100 showings right out of the water.”

Katie Mutton, Assistant Manager of The Complete Paddler, the host of the Premiere, said “we had over 190 people attend, with lots of prizes and giveaways from sponsors, this was definitely our most successful show yet.  It’s nice to see the word spreading and more and more people taking part in this event.”

The premiere kicks off the Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour, an international paddling film tour with 34 short-listed films screening in 100 cities hosted by paddling shops, clubs and events. Visit reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com for the most up-to-date tour schedule and to learn how to bring the World Tour to your city.

One of the biggest initial capital expenses of any tour operator or guiding company is the purchase of their fleet of kayaks. A small fleet can typically starts at around $20,000 (10 boats at $2,000 each) and keep going up from there.

To help keep those initial costs down, Seaward Kayaks partnered up with Dominion Lending Centres and developed the Advantage Plus Leasing System. The first of it’s kind in the industry.

Very similar to leasing a car, small business owners will be able to lease a fleet of kayaks directly from Seaward for one fixed monthly cost. When the term of the three year lease is over the owner has the option to either buy the boats outright at a reduced cost or return the kayaks to Seaward and renew the lease with a brand new fleet.

To get some more information about the program I contacted Doug Godkin, Director of Marketing and International Sales at Seaward Kayaks.

“Rather than tying up cash flow within the season,” Doug said, “the lease program is based on 1 days rental income per month per kayak leased.”

“Our goal is to offer guiding and rental companies the ability to continue using North American manufactured high quality fiberglassed and thermoformed kayaks. Seaward Kayaks started in the paddle sports industry 25 years ago as a primary supplier to guiding companies and we will always maintain our support and dedication to this area of the sport.”

Like anything in life, there are questions to ask with leasing compared to buying. There are a couple of questions to ask regarding the leasing program. What happens to my kayaks at the end of the lease? Seaward has indicated that at the end of the lease the operator has the ability to purchase the kayaks from the leasing company for a very small residual amount. From there the business owner has the freedom to sell the boats to their customers and generate further revenue for their business. If the operator decides to enter into another lease with a new fleet of kayaks, they can then keep their fleets rotated and new.

I think that the advantage of having a lower initial capital expense will be very appealing to new start-ups but to me the biggest advantage is knowing that as a business owner, you are going to get new boats for your clients after three years of use. I can’t tell you the number of times that I have seen tour operators and paddling schools try to put their clients in worn out and broken boats and hope they won’t notice. They do and that doesn’t win you any points.

More info: Seaward Kayaks

Update [Feb 10, 2012]: Doug Godkin from Seaward sent me this response after posting with an update:

Another advantage to the leasing program is like a business leasing a fleet of automobiles, their payments could be tax deductible as a cost of operations. This is another strong feature of the program as it keeps much more operating capital in the hands of the operator to manage the day to day expenses of their business.

Flickr Photo Credit: Dakiraun  Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0