Special Guests 2026

Adam Shoalts is a professional adventurer and Westaway Explorer-in-Residence at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and Outward Bound’s ambassador. His expeditions range from mapping rivers to archaeological projects, but Shoalts is best known for his long solo journeys, including crossing alone nearly 4,000 km of Canada’s Arctic. Named one of the “greatest living explorers” by CBC and even declared “Canada’s Indiana Jones” by the Toronto Star, Shoalts’s latest adventure was a 3,400 km solo journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic, the subject of his new national bestselling book Where the Falcon Flies. His other books include Alone Against the North, A History of Canada in 10 Maps, and Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada's Arctic, and The Whisper on the Night Wind, all of them national bestsellers. He has a PhD from McMaster University in history, and in his free time, enjoys long walks in the woods.

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adamshoalts.com

Joe Robinet is a Canadian bushcraft expert, survivalist, and YouTube creator known for his authentic and educational wilderness adventures. Since launching his channel in 2007, Joe has built a community of over 1.5 million subscribers by sharing solo camping trips, bushcraft skills, canoe expeditions, and gear reviews. He gained wider recognition after competing on the reality survival show Alone, where he showcased his resilience and expertise. His videos focus on minimalist living in nature, crafting natural shelters, and surviving in diverse environments, especially cold weather. Joe also founded Robinet Outfitters, offering quality outdoor gear inspired by his experiences.

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Tori Baird is reshaping perceptions of women canoeists with her company, Paddle Like A Girl. Established in 2020, these workshops empower women to embrace canoeing and the wilderness, transforming stereotypes and fostering confidence. Set against the serene backdrop of her property on the Magnetawan River, Tori aims to inspire women of diverse shapes, ages, and backgrounds to connect with nature's tranquility and beauty.

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Tori is an accomplished canoeist and recently starred in National Geographic's "Home in the Wild."

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paddlelikeagirl.com

Kielyn Marrone is a Canadian wilderness guide and survivalist best known for competing on Season 7 of History Channel’s Alone, where she survived 80 days in the Arctic and placed third. Based in Espanola, Ontario, she co-founded Lure of the North, a company offering traditional winter expeditions and handcrafted gear. Living off-grid with her husband, Dave, Kielyn focuses on snowshoeing, canoeing, and teaching northern survival skills. Her experience on Alone and dedication to outdoor living highlight her deep connection to nature and rugged self-reliance.

lureofthenorth.com

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​Kevin (aka The Happy Camper) is the author of 19 books; his latest being Another Bend in the River: The Happy Camper’s Memoir. He is an award winning writer and a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America. Kevin is also a regular guest on several television morning shows and CBC Radio. He has won several film awards, writes a column for Paddling Magazine and Explore Magazine. Kevin was listed one of the top 100 modern day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada.

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kevincallan.com

Ray Zahab is a Canadian ultra-distance runner, explorer, and motivational speaker renowned for his remarkable feats in extreme environments. In 2006, he transitioned from a sedentary lifestyle to running, and by 2007, he completed a 7,500 km journey across the Sahara Desert in 111 days, a feat documented in the film Running the Sahara, produced by Matt Damon. Zahab has since undertaken numerous expeditions, including traversing the Gobi Desert, Arctic regions, and setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest unsupported expedition to the South Pole. He is the founder of impossible2Possible, a non-profit organization that inspires youth through adventure-based learning. Recognized for his contributions, Zahab has received the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada and serves as an Explorer-in-Residence with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

rayzahab.com

Ken Whiting is a Canadian world champion kayaker, author, and media producer renowned for his contributions to paddlesports. A five-time Canadian National Champion and the 1997/98 World Freestyle Kayaking Champion, he transitioned from competitive kayaking to become a leading figure in outdoor media. As the founder of Heliconia, a prominent media company specializing in outdoor content, Whiting produces and hosts Facing Waves, North America's only paddlesport television series, which airs in over 120 million U.S. households . He also leads PaddleTV, the world's largest paddlesports YouTube channel, and has authored 12 books and videos on paddling . Through his work, Whiting aims to inspire and educate audiences about the joys of paddling and outdoor adventure.

Ben Beauchamp is a Canadian outdoor enthusiast and YouTuber known for his backcountry camping and fishing adventures.

He’s had the pleasure of exploring some of Ontario’s most iconic canoe routes, areas such as Temagami, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, Lake Superior, Pic River, and the Steel River. He has also ventured along the lesser-known and seldom-explored Jimmy Kash River, which flows into the Dog River just above Denison Falls, a location made famous by filmmaker and paddler Bill Mason.

Ben’s goal is to inspire people to enjoy the outdoors by showcasing the beauty nature through his own passion and enthusiasm.

Marty Morissette is a passionate outdoorsman whose love for adventure was sparked at age 12 during his first backcountry camping trip. That formative experience shaped his life, instilling a deep connection to the wilderness that continues to fuel his journey today. Whether he's navigating remote trails or setting up camp under the stars, Marty finds peace and purpose in the outdoors. Through his social media presence, he shares both the beauty and challenges of backcountry life—not only to inspire those who dream of taking the leap, but also to bring the magic of the wild to those who may never get the chance to experience it firsthand.

Brad and Leah Jennings, the husband-and-wife team behind Explore the Backcountry, are passionate adventurers dedicated to rediscovering forgotten canoe routes and documenting remote wilderness expeditions. What began in 2008 as a television pilot co-created by Brad and his father Wayne has evolved into a leading voice in Canadian backcountry travel. With nearly two decades of experience, Brad has produced countless maps, reports, films, and photographs, inspiring others to explore wild spaces. Today, Brad and Leah focus their efforts on ambitious journeys through Canada’s most remote regions—including a 1,100 km traverse of Ontario and Manitoba’s Little North and the first documented descent of the upper Tichégami River in Quebec. Their films have been featured at major paddling festivals across the country. explorethebackcountry.com

Born and raised in Ottawa, Evan Lefebvre is widely recognized as “the canoeing guy” on social media—but his love for the outdoors goes far beyond the paddle. A passionate nature enthusiast, Evan has spent years exploring everything from Canada’s most remote wilderness regions to the beauty found right in his backyard. With a deep appreciation for flora, fauna, and fungi alike, Evan brings curiosity and joy to every adventure. Through his content and storytelling, he hopes to inspire others to connect with nature and discover their own passion for the outdoors.