Zack Kruzins
(Please scroll down for my Professional & Backcountry Resume)
Thank you for visiting my online profile! I do my very best to keep this site as up to date and detailed as possible but sometimes long periods of time spent in really remote settings without access to internet can set me back so please be patient.
The intention behind this site:
I originally designed and set up this website as an experience profile soley with the intent to maintain a record of my outdoor experiences to help potential employers get a sense of who I am and what kind of experience I have in my field of work as an outdoor educator. It is more than a online resume, it is a great interactive and fun outlet to exemplify and share with the world, my passion & enthusiasm for what I do. Family, friends, students, colleagues, acquaintances, new people I meet, or anyone web-surfing who might happen upon it can follow my adventures and projects through photos, videos, stories, descriptions, thoughts, learnings, or travel advice found in my posts. Similar to my educational philosophy with a lot of the work I do, I hope from browsing my website, you might be inspired to get out and explore beyond your own horizons.
Who Am I?
I grew up in southern Ontario, Canada in a town called Dundas just outside of Hamilton. I got introduced to the outdoors from camping trips with my family in the Algonquin Park area and then later through scouts. These experiences inspired me to go to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay Ontario on the shores of Lake Superior. Here I completed a double honours bachelors degree program in Geography and Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism.
I had previously worked guiding canoe trips at a few different summer camps but soon got involved with Outward Bound Canada by working with their youth program in Burks Falls, Ontario and then participating in an extended expeditionary course on the Sunshine Coast and Coast Mountains of British Columbia. I then knew I wanted to work in the field of outdoor education so i started building more experience.
I then spent a summer guiding sea kayak trips on Lake Superior in the town of Rossport, Ontario. Here I lived all summer in a trailer with no power and no running water in a town of no more than 100 people with no one my age around. This allowed for me to spend a lot of time on my own, paddling around the islands in the Rossport Islands Archipelago on the central northern shore of Lake Superior.
During this time in the summer of 2006, I thrived off spending lots of time on my own in the wilderness. Something about the simplicity of it has allowed my mind slow down, shut everything else off and heightening my senses, my awareness for the environment around me. It has resulted in a deep spiritual connection with water and landscapes first of Lake Superior but now everywhere I go.
I discovered how introspective time like this is very valuable. When used with intention to make these connections, the possibilities and opportunities for growth are endless. Now that I have realized this I am excited to share it with everyone.
Check out my LSRG page for more detailed information about some Lake Superior related projects that developed as a result of my excitement and passion to share these connections.
It is through sharing these experiences with others that has and will be so fulfilling as I continue to travel, work, and live amongst different cultures in truly breath-taking, remote, and wild places on our planet.
I have immersed myself in a vast array of experiences thriving off of each from hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with my Dad to exploring the Mojave Desert in southern California to sailing from the Panama Border of Costa Rica up to Baja Calfornia Mexico.
Now after traveling to Patagonia, working all over Canada, publishing a guidebook for Lake Superior, I am once again living aboard the sailing vessel, “Karaka” (see the karaka page for more information)
I have experienced, learned, and been inspired an incredible amount from spending time with amazing, interesting, and passionate people. My family, friends, students, colleagues, both locals & travelers I meet have been my teachers – my inspiration, for whom I am forever grateful.
Throughout my life I have been extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and live the way I do.
I’d like to thank these people who have given me so much inspiration through love, friendship, support, and guidance. Equally I would like to thank all of those whom I have shared adventures with however big or small they may have been, you have all inspired me to keep going. I don’t know if I would have been able to get where I am now without all you great people out there!
I have always got some kind of adventure up my sleeves, whether through work, play or exploration. Once one is over i am in the midst of planning for the next. Keep checking for updates and you can find out all about where my current adventures have taken me.
Something I am actively trying to do more of is let those people know how much they have inspired me whenever possible. There is nothing more rewarding or humbling when someone tells you how much you have inspired, supported, or helped them. I hope to give back as much as possible by being here as a resource with the information I put on my profile. So please comment on posts or ask me questions about anything and I can promise you I will go above and beyond to get back to you in as comprehensive and timely of a manner as possible.
I am always intentional about making connections, building relationships and staying in contact. I hope I can do this through the website and eventually build an online community of like minded people all doing their part to help make this world a better place by having an open mind, absorbing and sharing the great energy around us.
All thoughts and feedback, both positive and constructive are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Stay in touch and I wish you all safe and happy travels, wherever life may take you.
With thought & care,
Zack Kruzins
Please see below to view my most up to date Professional & Backcountry Resumes (July 2012):
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