Sport: Competitive Climbing

Hometown: North Vancouver, BC

Bio: Sean McColl is Canada’s top competitive climber, and one of the few North Americans to achieve success on the world stage of competitive climbing; an area typically dominated by Europeans. As a Junior competitor, McColl won every Canadian Youth Championship he competed in (1999 to 2005) and claimed five World Championship titles. Since joining the World Cup circuit in 2008, he has consistently placed in the top 10 — and was the first North American to win a Gold Medal at a World Championship climbing event in 2009, the first Canadian to win a World Cup climbing event in 2011 and more recently won the Combined Ranking at the 2012 World Championships in Paris. Not bad for a 24-year-old.

Explore Magazine: When did you first start climbing?

Sean McColl: I started climbing when I was 10 years old with my family. Our old tennis club shut down and we were looking for another sport to do as a family. We bought annual passes to the local climbing gym and I was quickly spotted by head coach Andrew Wilson and asked to join the Junior Team. From there, I started training a couple days a week and I absolutely loved every day of it.

EX: When did you decide to go pro?

SM: This is a difficult question to answer because it’s hard to pinpoint an exact year. I think my 2009 season was a good eye-opener for me. From there, I started dedicating much more time to training and really decided to give it my all. I’ve always taken it seriously and I loved to train four days a week since I was 14 years old.

EX: What is in your gear locker these days?

SM: My favourite item has got to be the Mammut Realization climbing pants/harness. They have a harness built into the shorts so when you put your shorts on, you’re ready to go. I use it during lead climbing competitions and they’re amazingly comfortable as well, when compared to other harnesses. My favourite climbing shoes are the La Sportiva Solutions because of their incredible diversity in what they can be used for. I feel the strongest on slab, on an overhang, toe hooks, heel hooks; they’re just amazing.

EX: Where is your favourite place to climb (recreationally) in Canada and why?

SM: Hands down, in Canada my favourite place to climb is in Squamish. I grew up in North Vancouver so my proximity with Squamish has always been there. I remember going outside climbing as young as 11 years old and finding it a totally different element. I could climb 5.12 indoors and would get shut down on 5.10 outside. It made me motivated to improve my outdoor skill and I quickly learned how to move on real rock as opposed to indoor rock climbing. In Squamish, they have bouldering, lead climbing, crack climbing, big wall and even some deep-water soloing. I also find that climbing in Squamish is always hard; moving on granite is just harder that moving on limestone. I think overall it made me a better climber.

EX: Can you give me a quick rundown of your training regime?

SM: My training generally starts each year in January of February. This year, I’m concentrating on improving my strength for the first few months. I didn’t have my first bouldering competition until April and my first lead isn’t until July. I’ll focus on campus board, dead hangs and hard bouldering right now. After a few months, I’ll transition into only hard bouldering, conditioning and short circuit training. Once I feel I’m at a level I’m happy with, I’ll move slowly into longer and longer circuit training. I imagine I’ll be around 30-move circuit training at the end of May. I’ll dedicate the whole month of June to work on longer and longer circuits until I’m into the lead section of 2013 and I’ll drop almost all bouldering and focus on lead, recovery and stamina. By October, I’ll have almost stopped training specifics. I’ll be trying to hold my climbing level for the last couple months of the season with maybe some outdoor climbing mixed in!

EX: To what do you attribute your success?

SM: I’ve had a unique climbing upbringing. I had great coaches through my Junior career who were motivated to coach. I also am very stubborn and like to succeed. With climbing, whenever there was a route that I couldn’t do, I worked so hard to get the route and got stronger in the process. I realized quite quickly that the more I climbed, and the harder I worked at climbing, the better I would become as an athlete. All those hours in the gym paid off when you’re standing on the podium after winning a competition. I had tremendous support from my family and friends, which also contributed to my success. While competing as a Junior, there was always someone who was older and better than me. I strived to be like them and eventually better. I always tried to believe in myself and focus on all the positives. I can look at most situations and pull out positive things from it, I also dislike negative people. After that, I was fortunate enough to have some success in competitions and get sponsorship from some great companies. My current sponsors Mammut, La Sportiva, HRT Handholds, Skratch and Sanuk are the reason I can compete the whole year and travel.

EX: Any tips for novice climbers?

SM: First, start by getting a training partner or partners. There’s nothing better than having someone to help you achieve a goal. On the days you’re not so motivated, maybe they’ll boost your motivation. Second, make a training program with your partners. It can be as basic as “let’s go climbing Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.” Lastly, stick to your program and make sure you’re having fun. I absolutely love climbing, training, and competing. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t a passion of mine, which is very important.

Sport: Survival

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Bio: Best known as the star and producer of the hit TV series Survivorman, Les Stroud is widely credited with creating an entire genre of television: “Survival TV.” Stroud is also recognized as the only person in the history of television to produce an internationally broadcast series entirely written, filmed and hosted solo. Beyond the small screen success, Stroud is a member of the prestigious Explorers Club and also the best-selling author of Survive—Essential Skills & Tactics To Get You Out Of Anywhere—Alive! and Will to Live, an advanced survival trainer for the Canadian Military Armed Forces and an accomplished musician to boot.

Explore Magazine: When did you first discover your passion for the outdoors?

Les Stroud: In my very young years, watching Jacques Cousteau and Tarzan movies — and this translated into building shelters out behind my cottage and sleeping on the bare rocks.

EX: What are your favourite items of outdoors gear?

LS: My canvas folding camp seat; my homemade wool “blanket coats;” my belt knife; my big canoe packs; my handmade paddle.

EX: Where is your favourite outdoor destination in Canada and why?

LS: Wabakimi Provincial Park [Ontario] — because I was fortunate enough to spend a whole year living out in the bush there and it is such a beautiful and remote place. There is nothing like it anywhere.

EX: Do you have a fitness and training regime?

LS: General [cardiovascular] exercise, including running — but I do it as interval training with push-ups and sit-ups and dips and chin-ups, as well as mountain biking.

EX: What do you feel is the most important element of your success?

LS: Persistence — coming to a hurdle I can’t go over and instead finding a way under or around it. Fear of mediocrity — I do not want to get to the end and find out what I did was mediocre. And passion, and then some more passion

EX: What are your three top survival tips for outdoors enthusiasts?

LS: 1. Stay calm.

2. Get a fire going immediately.

3. Remember that you can go an incredibly long time without food — so it is the least of your concerns.

Sport: Kayaking

Hometown: Oakville, ON

Bio: One of Canada’s most well-known Olympians, sprint kayaker Adam van Koeverden has won four Olympic medals — gold (2004), two silvers (2012 and 2008) and a bronze (2004) — and is a 22-time World Cup Champion and 67-time Canadian Champion. At the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Van Koeverden was our country’s only double-medallist. In 2008, despite winning silver, he was given a Guiness Book World Record for the fastest 500 metres ever recorded in a canoe or kayak. In 2011, his World Championship victory was by a margin of more than three seconds. Suffice to say, this 31-year-old can paddle.

Explore Magazine: When did you first “discover” kayaking?

Adam van Kooeverden: I wasn’t much of an athlete growing up, I tried out for a lot of teams and different sports but didn’t find too much success in the early-indicator sports that tend to put young kids into categories like “future athlete.” I have some trouble with how we judge people like that, how a young “talent” will usually get more attention than other kids. It’s the reverse squeaky-wheel effect. It’s the fastest, strongest kid with the best ball skills that gets the grease. The squeaky kids usually just run cross-country. I ran cross-country and I still love it… I’m not knocking running at all.

So there was a recruiting ad in the local newspaper — The Oakville Beaver — the Burloak Canoe Club ran it in 1995 to get some new kids on the water. It read “Future Champions Wanted.” My mom called in advance to make sure that non-athletic kids were also invited. I think she had to convince me not to bring my acoustic guitar down to the club with me. I didn’t realize I was aimlessly wandering into a high performance training centre.

I suppose the aimlessness only lasted a day. The coaches down at Burloak (which included Olympic Champion Larry Cain, and my current coach, Scott Oldershaw) had me setting goals and planning my week’s training schedule around school, my jazz band commitments and the hair appointment that they scheduled for me (I had a Kurt Cobain-esque pony tail at the time, and they insisted that it come off).  It took a few months to become an athlete. Once that was done, I could start concentrating on becoming a kayaker.

EX: When did you start to take kayaking/paddling seriously — that is, when did you decide to “go pro?”

AK: That first day. I got a training schedule and a goal sheet. That’s not to say that I “went pro” on day one. I swam a lot on days 1-100, but I was taking it very seriously. I guess “pro” is up for interpretation when it comes to kayaking.  What’s that mean?  I’m still waiting for my million-dollar shoe deal…

EX: What’s your current favourite gear – kayak, paddle and any other item(s)?

AK: I race and train only in Nelo kayaks, which are made in Portugal, and [use] a Turbo Strength, paddle which Peter Patasi makes in Smiths Falls, ON.  He’s a Czechoslovakian immigrant, a tool and dye maker and a Canadian Olympian — he raced for Canada in Montreal in 1976.  He still paddles every day, and makes the best paddles in the world.

I wear Oakley eyewear on the water and Asics shoes and apparel to train in. I go through a lot of spandex, my shorts only last a few weeks, especially in saltwater; they look like swiss cheese after a few weeks of turning them inside out and backwards to find a seat without holes… But Asics is still the most durable.

EX: Where is your favourite place to paddle recreationally in Canada?

AK: Algonquin Park! It’s like my home course. I have a little cabin there, and it’s an awesome place to escape to for a few days. It’s water-access, so I need to paddle to get out there and back. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a sprint kayak, but there isn’t a lot of cargo space, so the gear-list is usually pretty minimal by necessity.

EX: Can you give me a quick rundown of your training regime?

AK: We’re out on the water 10 times a week, usually racking up close to 200 km. We do all sorts of paddling throughout the season, from marathon 25 to 30 km sessions, to 10 km time trials, intervals of every distance and length, to short maximal sprints of five to 10 strokes dragging some resistance like a few tennis balls around a bungee cord. A few tennis balls doesn’t sound like a ton of water-resistance but it makes a crazy difference. Milos [Raonic] sends me his leftover balls after he’s done crushing 300 km/hr serves.

I do a lot of cross training.  Everything from weight training, running, swimming, cross country skiing, boxing, cycling. I’d like to say outdoor hockey and snowboarding are also “cross training” but I suppose that’d be a stretch. When we’re really full-on training, my main leisure activities are gardening and reading since I can barely walk up the stairs without having a break halfway.

EX: What do you feel is the most important element (or elements) of your success?

AK: I think the most important thing in every endeavour is to enjoy every aspect of the process, and to find happiness and fulfilment in the mundanity of daily training. I approach my training and preparation as the real reward, and view the racing, medals and hopeful-successes as icing on the cake. I’ll always train and exercise, but one day I’ll have to give up the racing, so I’m glad that the element of this lifestyle that I truly find the most rewarding is the day-to-day stuff, the things I never have to give up.

EX: If you had three tips for the average paddler to improving his or her kayaking, what would they be?

AK: Kayaking is a technical sport. Think about what you’re trying to accomplish on the water, consider how Bernoulli would move a boat forward with a paddle, and watch some video of the best kayakers in the world. My first coach, Dean (my current coach’s, Scott, brother) used to say that I “couldn’t afford the luxury of an imperfect stroke,” since I wasn’t the strongest or fittest or biggest dude in a race. Maybe we should get “What Would Bernoulli Do?” (WWBD?) bracelets made for kayakers, since he’s the father of fluid dynamics and all. Let’s just not make ‘em yellow.

Sport: Surfing

Hometown: Tofino, BC

Bio: Is Peter Devries Canada’s best surfer? Let’s take a look at the facts: Devries won O’Neil Cold Water Classic on his home waters in 2009, has graced the cover of Surfer magazine (a Canadian on the cover of Surfer — think about it!) and has only been defeated in competition on Canadian waters once in the past eight years. Well, if he is the best, he’ll probably never admit it — these days Devries generally eschews professional competition for hometown life in Tofino, on Vancouver Island, surfing West Coast waves in West Coast rain and spending time with friends and family.

EXPLORE: What was it about surfing that you found irresistible – the initial draw?

PETER DEVRIES: In the beginning it was all about watching what my dad was doing and wanting to copy him. When I really started getting into it and figuring it out, I realized how difficult it was and the challenge of improving was what I was drawn to.

EX: When did you decide you wanted to make a living as a pro surfer?

PD: It wasn’t something I really decided. I knew I wanted to make a living, but at the time it didn’t seem attainable for me. I finished high school and knew I wanted to travel the world and surf and things just worked out from there. I’d been riding for Hurley for a few years and they offered me a contract and things have just kept going from there.

EX: What are your thoughts on surf competition these days?

PD: I still enjoy competing, but only from time to time. The hard thing about living in Tofino and competing is how long it takes to get to all these places. The travel is a pain, and also the fact that you are surfing mostly average waves with 200 people out every time you surf. That takes the joy of going to new places out of it. One of my favourite things about surfing is surfing uncrowded places so competing was the exact opposite of that.

EX: What are you wearing and riding these days?

PD: I just got a new sample suit from Hurley for 2013 and it’s amazing. So comfortable and flexible. I’ve been riding a lot of Sitka XTR epoxy boards lately. They are really light, fast and lively so they feel really good in the waves in Tofino

EX:  What is special about surfing on Canada’s West Coast?

PD: The scenery and the area are pretty special. The waves here are really consistent too, which I like; and when you get those good days at secret spots with not many people are around it’s hard to beat.

EX: Can you give me a rundown of your training regime?

PD: Surf a lot! [Then] light stretching and massage.

EX: What do you feel has been the most important element of your success?

PD: For me it’s always been about wanting to improve. I have never been satisfied with how I surf so I’m always trying to get better. I analyse video to pick out little things that I want to change.

EX: If you had three tips for people starting out in recreational surfing, what would they be?

PD: 1. Have fun. That’s what it’s all about.

2. Pay attention to the ocean and learn how to read it.

3. Learn the rules of the lineup.

Looking to get in-the-know on the most useful things an outdoorsperson like yourself needs to know? Read on and check out these 10 articles — 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoorsperson.

Start With Number One:

Modern water purification tablets have come a long way since those awful iodine tablets, and filters work well too — but what if you are all out of tablets, you don’t have a filter and you need safe water? You boil it. Here’s how to do it right:

• Scoop up a small amount of water and bring it to a boil in your pot. Swirl it around to disinfect the pot, then pour it out.

• Fill the pot up with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once it’s boiling rapidly, it’s disinfected.

• Pour out a little bit of the water to disinfect the rim of the pot.

• Fill water bottles — but don’t refill the bottle you used to collect the contaminated water!

• Allow it to cool (duh).

• Drink! The water will be flat from this process, however, you can put a little life back into it by shaking it up. Or toss in some Gatorade powder. Whatever works for you!

On the West Coast, black bears can even be sporadically active in winter. In any case, it’s never too early to educate yourself for next year’s camping season.

Here are some tactics for dealing with bears in the bushes:

1. Avoid bears by making your presence pre-emptively known. While trekking through trails, chat loudly with your companion. Clap your hands. Every once in a while, yell out “No bear! No bear!” If you are hiking solo, sing a tune, ring a bell or take along a marine signal air-horn and give it a blast every once in a while.

2. Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep a lookout for bear sign, such as scat, tracks or rubs. Bears produce territorial warnings in the forms of these signs — further intrusion could be perceived as aggression on your part. Tempting as they are, stay away from berry patches — berries mean bears. Be wary of the smell of rotten flesh or fish — it’s bear attractor number one.

3. Don’t give bears a reason to come your way. If your plan is to have a picnic lunch followed by a hike, make sure your foodstuffs are consumed or returned to your car or campsite or disposed of properly. And keep mindful of your own scent. Did you wash with papaya shampoo this morning? What about coconut sunscreen?

Experts prefer to divide bears in terms of behaviour, not species. These behaviours are: defensive and predatory:

Defensive behaviour occurs when a bear feels threatened or is protecting its food or cubs. These bears will show signs of stress: huffing, vocalizing, jaw-popping, pawing the ground, breaking branches or even “bluff charges,” but what they want is for you to go away. Oblige – here is how:

1. Don’t run as this may provoke a chase. Stop and face the bear. Don’t challenge it with eye contact. Keep the bear in view and back off. Talking to the bear in calm, low-pitched voice not only serves to dissuade the bear, but also will calm you and keep your brain working so you can intelligently assess the situation.

2. Bear spray, within its range of about five metres, is 98 per cent effective in warding off all bears, canines and cougars.

3. If an attack from a defensive bear becomes imminent and you are without a means of defence (i.e. bear spray) — experts advise you to lie down in a protective position, regardless of the species. Ideally, the threat you pose will be diminished and the bear can leave in peace.

Predatory behaviour means the bear is stalking you — it is aware of your presence and is actively closing in. This is rare. Bears will be stealthy during this process and exhibit little signs of stress. Here is how to deal with a predatory bear:

1. Regardless whether black or grizzly, bear spray is your go-to here.

2. Black bears’ natural curiosity can mimic predatory behaviour. In areas of higher human populations, black bears have been known to approach humans in an almost “predatory” fashion — but they may just be habituated and/or food conditioned. Keep this in mind if you encounter a black bear near a population centre.

3. If you’re in a remote area and are actively stalked or approached by a black bear, assume it is predatory. An approaching grizzly is more often defensive.

Remember: if you see a bear, leave the area the way you came and do not return.

1. Buy some cheap, clear nail polish and pour a little into a small, open container — such as the cap from a soft drink bottle.

2. Take each match and dip the head in the nail polish, then lay flat on the edge of a counter or tabletop with the match-head extending off the edge.

3. Once dry, hold a match by the head and dip the entire remaining exposed wooden end into the nail polish (in bottle).

4. Lay match on wax paper to dry, repeat until you’ve got enough for your camping trip.

NOTE: Some people do this trick with paraffin wax — nail polish works better, as it won’t gunk up the match striker and provides a more durable finish.