TYLER CURTIS HELI SKI GUIDE
S W E D E N
Tyler Curtis works on and off the water to sustain himself year-round. National coach for the Norwegian Paddle Fed- eration, sales agent for Sweet Protec- tion, author, private kayak coach and international paddling guide, Curtis is fully immersed in kayaking. Recently, though, Curtis has spent his
off-seasons submerged in snow instead of water. As a lead helicopter ski guide 200 kilometers from the Arctic Circle in Kittelfjäll, Sweden, his day job has high stakes. Each day Curtis monitors snow condi-
tions, briefs clients on helicopter safety, plans trip logistics and chooses safe ter- rain for each heli ski group’s adventure. The five-time Canadian Freestyle has
Champion transferred skills to each new job. paddling “The biggest
thing I have gained through kayaking, which I apply to everyday life, is com- munication and having the social skills to deal with people,” he says. “This comes in handy when working in the tourism and customer service industry.” Curtis’ lifestyle allows him to con-
tinue to be competitive in the freestyle and extreme racing scene. “By focusing on a lifestyle that allows me to work with the things I love, I don’t really see any of it as being work but rather living life to the fullest.”
EVAN GARCIA FILMMAKER
US A
While many paddlers toil away on land, there are some who have made the river their office. Evan Garcia is one of those lucky people. As a professional filmmaker, Garcia has established him- self as a whitewater storyteller—he’s worked his way into getting paid to paddle every day. “My job is to kayak at a high level and
make films about whitewater and the lifestyle of us river people,” says Garcia. Though he’s well known for his
smooth racing style, waterfall running and filming of remote and exotic multi- day river expeditions, Garcia says it wasn’t easy to get where he is now. He maintains what he calls a gyp-
sy-kayaker lifestyle by managing his spending. “I don’t buy things I don’t need, splurge, or waste
money...mon- ey is my one-way ticket to the river,” he says. Garcia’s dedication has paid off. “I’m
proud of myself for making the life choices that brought me here,” he says. “I knew that if I put everything I had into my paddling, maybe someday I could be one of those people that call the river their occupation.”
THE SECRET AMBITIONS OF PROFESSIONAL KAYAKERS
SAETHER Author
MARR
Rally car driver or professional lawn mower
CURTIS
Owning and operating a
timbering company MANSFIELD
Big mountain skier, garbage man or helicopter pilot
GARCIA
Owner of a tiki bar on the shores of
the South Pacific FOX
Fireman CARROLL
Professional singer THOMPSON
Filming some other
outdoor sport (skiing is his first love)
www.rapidmag.com | 37
WISDOM FROM THE WORKFORCE
CURTIS Use your job to facilitate your paddling. Picture kayaking in your future and work toward it—don’t sacrifice everything for paddling today and miss out on a lifetime of paddling.
WISDOM FROM THE WORKFORCE
GARCIA When I was working outside of the paddling scene I felt something special, every time I got on the water I was so stoked! Don’t lose that spark—when you get out on the river, soak it all in.
dreamjob
PHOTO: ERIC PARKER
PHOTO: PATRIK TRÄDGÅRDH
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