Scott Stanfield

scott.stanfield@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Cole Slusarenko was raking in about $10,000 a month when he worked on drilling rigs in Saskatchewan.

The job paid for a number of adventures: backpacking in Europe, kayaking in Croatia, spearfishing in Australia, and surfing in Nicaragua and Honduras. But inevitably the money would run out, which meant back work in the oil and gas sector, which he did not like.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what to do,鈥� the 23-year-old Courtenay resident said. 鈥淚 really felt like I needed to grow.鈥�

Things changed when a friend mentioned the adventure tourism program at North Island College.

Eight months later, he had graduated and landed a job as a sea kayak guide in Tofino.

Slusarenko has also studied Internet marketing through an online university 鈥� which got him thinking about combining an online business with the outdoor industry.

鈥淚 always knew I鈥檇 have a business,鈥� said Slusarenko, who has founded an organization called WeThriveOutdoors, a platform that aims to connect thriving individuals who are passionate about the outdoors.

A website is in the works. But first, he and fellow Valley resident, Joel Bood, plan to drive across the U.S. and back across Canada. They were thinking of driving a 1993 Mitsubishi Delica that runs on vegetable oil and solar, but they would prefer a 24-foot RV. Their goal is to inspire and empower young adults to follow their dreams and to connect with nature.

Bood hopes to inspire others to consider a career in the outdoor industry.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 a huge message we鈥檙e trying to get across,鈥� said Bood, who tried the trades route but didn鈥檛 like it.

鈥淲e have choices in life,鈥� added Slusarenko, noting issues facing the tourism industry in B.C. A school in Vancouver, for instance, shut down due to a lack of students. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much potential here in B.C. for new products, yet they don鈥檛 have the guides to fill the jobs.鈥�

During their trip, they plan to speak with students, guides, park rangers, tourism operators and outdoor education program directors to raise awareness of their organization and their vision for clean bodies of water.

They also hope to organize beach and lake clean-ups, in conjunction with local scuba shops. Their first cleanup happens this Saturday, March 25, from 11-4 p.m. at Comox Lake.

Slusarenko and Bood hope to hit the road at the end of April. In the meantime, they are seeking sponsorships and applying for grants to help lease or rent an RV.

Visit WeThriveOutdoors at facebook.com/ColeSluce/