If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you have probably heard about the Outdoor Adventure Show. My crew and I have attended this show in the past and we have really enjoyed all the presentations and the free swag that is given away at this event. This year I figured it was time to get in as a blogger. I emailed the event organiser and I was granted media passes. That meant that this year I would be an official blogger for this event!
SATURDAY
I was giddy this morning as I walked into the entrance for the show. I mean who wouldn’t get excited with all this cool outdoor stuff? In the entrance of the show, there is a lovely sign and a canoe from Swift that looks like my new canoe. Great place for photo ops! Yes, I had to take a photo before I even received my media pass.
After getting my media pass, I entered the show for that iconic “Welcome to the Outdoor Adventure Show” sign hanging above the plethora of display booths. Again, I was super giddy and a little added bonus I was here before the crowds, so I was able to walk around and look at the booths before it was busy.
I had a schedule of presentations I was going to check out today, which meant I had about a half hour to walk around and chat with some of the vendors. My first stop was at the GORP booth. This company produces clean energy bars with natural ingredients and my first experience with these bars was from the Explore Gear Box program I’m enrolled with. They were super excited to hear that I really enjoyed their product and I had to sample the ginger snap and apple bar.
I must have walked down the food sampling isle because my next stop was at the Bounce Canada booth. Again, another energy ball product that I really enjoy. I came across these last year at the outdoor show, and was happy to find them at Costco. Now I am able to get them at a local grocery store. Even better since I don’t have to drive almost an hour now! This product is found in all my outdoor bags and also my work bags. They are just the perfect sized snack for the middle of my day. Here I sampled the Spirulina Ginseng ball.
Off I went to check in with the first presentation of the day. This was Camper Christina talking about solo camping. I was glad that I had saved a seat because the house was packed for this presentation! There were even numerous people standing around. Christina told her story about how she became a solo camper, and the challenges and rewards that you get from solo camping. She also explained all the preparation and courses she took to help her feel safe while out camping on her own. She is one brave lady! If you have not yet checked out her blog or YouTube channel, be sure to do so.
The second presentation I was off to catch was Jim Baird from the Alone series. He won the current season with his brother Ted, and he was talking about his time on the show. My son and I watched this show and we were cheering for the Canadian boys 100%. It was really neat to hear about his time, and I found that I was reminiscing the feelings I had during the video clips he showed during his presentation. I think my favourite part that still gives me chills is when he and his brother finally meet up on the show.
Just before the presentation, I hear my named called and behind me were Jen and Chris from The Urban Adventurers (@urbanadventurers on Instagram)! They are planning a trip to Newfoundland, so we are obviously going to be chatting. They also managed to score a Eureka NoBugZone shelter! They were selling like hot cakes at this show.
It seems like this was the visiting portion of my day 🙂 I actually really enjoy going to this show, as you get to meet old and new outdoor enthusiasts. I was able to chat with Heather from Exploration Project and Kevin Callan “The Happy Camper“! I actually missed Kevin’s talk because the room was so full that people were standing in the door trying to watch his presentation. I have been lucky to see him talk at other events, so next time Kevin, next time. 🙂
This lead me into the next presentation where Mike Ranta was talking about bears. Ok, so someone called me out on this the other day by saying “so you do have some fears”. Yes, I do fear coming across a bear in the backcountry. I don’t know what it is, I can handle the thought of a moose, raccoon (even though they are annoying), and all those other critters that make big noises but are small, but bears. Yikes. He gave out some great information on what to do and how to handle yourself if you do happen to come across one of these creatures. I know I learned something new. I had always thought to go after the bears nose or eyes, but really you want to go at the back of the neck and head. YIKES! If I’m ever that close to a bear I don’t know if I would remember this.
The last presentation that I was going to see was from Brad and Leah from Explore the Backcountry. They were talking about lost routes and different types of adventures they go on. I think the best explanation of this was their Type 1 and Type 2 style trips. Type 1 being a nice trip easy going, nice portages, your usual trip. Type 2 were those trips where you don’t always know the conditions of a portage, you are hating the trip in the moment and want to go home, but when you arrive at your destination for the night all that fades away and you have a great time. I need more of these type 2 trips in my future. Yes, I am that crazy to want the mayhem that comes with those trips.
Finally all the presentations I was looking to see were over, and now it was time to roam the floor of the show. This meant meeting and talking with lots more people! Also gives me a chance to see all the different booths that are here for the show.
First stop was at Ontario Parks. We spend a lot of time in these parks, so it was nice to chat with the park staff. Sheila was my favorite! She acted how I feel and act a lot of the times. Excited, super happy, just overall enthusiastic about her job and just wanted everyone to know how awesome Ontario Parks is. No need in convincing me!!
Off I went to stop by Algonquin Outfitters. At this booth you are able to get some first hand information about exploring Algonquin Park. They are able to help you organise trips, figure out gear needs, and they have many locations where you can rent and buy gear for exploring. I know that when I got into one of their stores, it’s really hard to not increase my gear. I knew that Unlostify was being represented and I just had to chat with Jeff and Deki about their maps. I am really excited about the whole whiteboard marker option (I guess being a teacher does that), but they also explained to me a few of the new features that were getting released online later that week. I got some inside info! Isn’t that just so cool! I can’t wait to upgrade my map collection in March.
The Pook booth was definitely entertaining. They have a hat with more than 20 ways to wear it. I couldn’t quite follow along as he went through them all! At this point I was holding tight to my credit card LOL. My goal was to not buy gear this weekend (I have too much already).
Leanne (from Live Love Get Outside) and her hubby were helping out at Happy Yak. They were a huge sponsor for them on their hike they completed this year. We also chat over social media, and I love hearing about different food options for backcountry trips. I’m hoping to try out a couple of these products this summer.
This next guy was super awesome (ok little bias here)… this is Johnny O from Ocean Quest Adventures. He is a tour guide for that company based out of Newfoundland. Yes, I grew up there, and he is also friends with a good friend of mine back home. When she heard I was going to be at the show, she told me I just have to meet him and chat. I am hoping to get out on a little adventure this summer with him and my friend when I go home.
Over at the KIHD Products booth, you can check out the stick stoves they have for sale. I received one last year as a prize and will be using and testing it out this summer.
The next booth I think was the most popular photographed booth. These two beauties were sitting and watching the crowd all around. It was hard to get a good picture as the owl kept cleaning it’s feathers. Finally managed to get one with her looking out at the crowd.
I then stopped at the Qwick Wick booth. They sell fire starters made from old wood shavings and recycled candle wax. We have used these many times on trips and they get a good burn going. They have worked really well in wet conditions where you needed to dry out the wood before it would actually catch fire.
Christina and I found this neat display at Kawartha Lakes, and yes we had to get our picture! It seems we find ourselves taking funny pictures when we are together. I think we are both just a little crazy LOL.
As we near the end of the day, we wander over to the Ontario’s Highlands booth. I walk over and immediately recognised one of the ladies working there. I didn’t want to be wrong, so I asked her name, yup, that’s the name I remember, then asked about what high school she went to, yup, same school I taught at, then the connection was made. She was a student on the rowing team that I coached! Imagine that! It was so amazing to see a former student now working at such a cool place. You just never know who you will meet at these events. Carly was responsible for driving the “big chair” around to events and had it set up for people to come and take pictures. This chair was calling my name and I was going to sit it in at some point for sure! It just wasn’t going to be today. By the time I was done talk to Carly and getting caught up, the show was over for the day.
I will see you tomorrow big chair!
Please check in next week when I post part 2 about Sunday’s presentations and people I met at the show. Hope you enjoyed part 1!
(I’m definitely on the hunt for a new phone as this one can’t seem to handle taking pictures in a darker environment. I do apologise for some of the blurry photos 🙁 )