Our Staff

Over 30 years of outdoor leadership and expertise

Taking a beginner course from one of the Outdoor Centre’s experienced guides and instructors is the best way to explore the outdoors for the first time. The driving force behind the success of the Outdoor Centre has been our passionate coordinators who have developed quality programs based on their expertise and a commitment to introducing individuals to outdoor pursuits. The majority are U of C graduates who are industry leaders and certified professionals and have extensive guiding experience and knowledge.

	Kurt Kinnear Director Kurt Kinnear, Director of the Outdoor Centre, considers sports and outdoor pursuits his passion and the outdoors his playground. After honing his skills in the outdoors as a youngster on his family's central Alberta 20, 000 acre ranch, Kurt achieved a Diploma in Leadership and a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership that he puts to the test everyday. While always striving to pursue new and challenging outdoor experiences, he keeps fit by cycling nearly every day and scuba diving whenever he can. His goal this year is to ride to work 90% of the time leaving his car parked whenever possible. This season, Kurt hopes that the Outdoor Centre programs will entice inexperienced and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts alike to do as his mother always told him....Get Outside!
	Calum Macdonald Equipment Rentals Manager, Sea Kayaking Tours & Courses, Customized Group Programming Coordinator Cal Macdonald began working at the Outdoor Centre in 1982 and after graduating with a Bachelor of Physical Education with a Major in Outdoor Pursuits, U of C driving force he created the sea kayak program in 1985. Having over 20 years of sea kayak guide experience, Cal is a certified lead guide with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC and has lead countless trips in Canada and abroad including Queen Charlotte Islands, BC; Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia; Lake Powell, Utah; Baja, Mexico; and the Bay Islands in Honduras. Do you have questions for Cal regarding sea kayak trips or specialized group programs? Email
	John Janssen Telemark,Wind Sport, & Biking Coordinator John Jansen has over 27 years of cycling, skiing, and flying experience. With a Bachelor of Physical Education with a Major in Outdoor Pursuits, John has worked for the Outdoor Centre since 1989. John not only coordinates the telemark, gliding, and biking programs but he is also a CANSI Level II certified instructor in cross-country and telemark skiing and an HPAC certified senior hang gliding instructor responsible for curriculum design and instruction for introductory through instructor level courses. Do you have a questions for John about telemark, paragliding, hang gliding, traction kiting, kite skiing or bike repair courses? Email
	Albi Sole Glacier Hiking, Ski Touring and Avalanche Safety Coordinator Albi Sole has been guiding since 1979 and has spent the last fourteen of those years working at the Outdoor Centre at the University of Calgary programming avalanche awareness, ski touring and climbing courses. Albi has an extensive resume including: writing the World's first waterfall ice climbing guide, first climbing ascents in Europe, North and South America, and the Himalaya. Albi worked as a heli-ski guide for 13 years, has guided groups to Aconcagua, Huascaran, and Denali, led two expeditions to Himalaya, and was a participant in lightweight sieges of the West Ridge of Makalu and the first ascent of the West Ridge of Everest from Tibet. In 2008 Albi completed an MSc. researching risk taking in avalanche terrain. Since then Albi has lead the foundation and growth of the Outdoor Council of Canada. Do you have a question for Albi about avalanche safety, backcountry ski/boarding, glacier hiking or ski touring course? Email
	Aspen Uzelman Snowshoeing, Hiking/Backpacking, Climbing Coordinator Aspen has been guiding in the Canadian Rockies since 2003 and has been with the Outdoor Center since 2005. Graduating from the College of the Rockies, she moved to Calgary looking for her next adventure. Aspen avidly teaches climbing, paddling, hiking and backpacking trips and she's a certified hiking guide, climbing instructor,paddling guide/instructor and a snowboard instructor. This self-proclaimed odd ball is a free spirit who enjoys being off in left field. She loves to ice climb, paint and travel, going to places that are off the beaten path. Yoga also plays a leading role in this adventurers life and if you go backpacking with her, there's a good chance that you'll be doing gentle yoga at the end of the day to lengthen, stretch and repair your body after a rugged trek. She coordinates the hiking, backpacking, rock and ice climbing programs. Do you have a question for Aspen about hiking and backpacking trips or navigation courses? Email
	Myles Dickinson Indoor Climbing Coordinator He's shy! Details to come! Do you a question for Myles about indoor or rock climbing courses or private booking of the climbing wall? Email
	Angela Harder Canoeing, River Kayaking, Cross Country Skiing & Wilderness First Aid Coordinator Angela Harder has worked at the Outdoor Centre for six years. Angela's outdoor specialty is whitewater solo canoeing and extended wilderness canoe trips. Angela graduated from the Outdoor Pursuits Program from the U of C and has worked as a guide on the Nahanni river and as an instructor at an outdoor education centre in Australia. She could not imagine a summer without teaching others about the joys of canoeing and kayaking. Her passion is to get people outside and encourage them to see and do things that they could not have imagined! Do you have a question for Ang about canoe trips, river kayaking, cross country skiing or wilderness first aid courses? Email
	Logan Jones Outdoor Camps for Kids and Teens,Mountain Biking Coordinator I am the one who takes the kids to the trees I am the one who puts bandaids on their knees I make sure they drink water and play on a raft I organize the camps and make sure they are staffed. I make sure that the kids do see, What we have left of those beautiful trees! Do you want to ask Logan a question about winter and summer camps for kids and teens or the mountain biking courses? Email
	Ian Turner Front Desk and Customer Relations Ian is here to help you with any questions you may have about our gear rentals, repair shop, course offerings and how to register. Do you have a question? He's got the answer! Email