Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Anthony Tashnik grew up on the rocky shoreline of West Cliff Drive, an iconic surf destination in Northern California that is anchored by the famous Steamer’s Lane surf break. Exposed to the raw energy of the open ocean, West Cliff has been chiseled into a ruggedly beautiful natural arena by waves marching in from the vast Pacific. It is one of the major centers of surfing, worldwide, and is a proving ground for generations of surfers, past and present.
Bill Steele recently retired as a national-level director for the Boy Scouts of America, based at their national HQ in Texas where he was in charge of Alumni Relations and the National Eagle Scout Association. He is now a writer, speaker and near full time explorer. Bill is a Speleologist of international standing having led or participated in expeditions to many of the longest and deepest caves in many states of the USA, Mexico, and China.
National Geographic-featured adventurer Charles Scott has traveled the world doing endurance challenges with his two children linked to charitable causes. He is the author of Rising Son: A Father and Son’s Bike Adventure Across Japan and has spoken at the World Bank, Harvard, the United Nations, and many other venues.
Polar adventurer, expedition guide, and educator, Eric Larsen has spent the past 20 years traveling in some of the most remote and extreme environments on the planet. To date, Eric has completed more polar expeditions than any other American in history. Included in that list are the first ever summer expedition to the North Pole as well as a world record expedition to the South Pole, North Pole and top of Mt. Everest all within a 365-day period.
Gerry Roach is a world-class mountaineer, who after climbing Everest in 1983, went on to become the second person to climb the Seven Summits in 1985. He has climbed Gasherbrum II without supplemental oxygen. In 2000 Gerry became the first person to climb the 10 highest North American mountains, then became the first to climb every major peak over 16,000 feet in North America. Climbing throughout the world, he has received numerous accolades along the way.
On May 23, 2008 Ian Taylor became the youngest Irishman to stand on the top of the world. In June 2007 Ian and friend set out to climb four mountains on four continents in one year with Mount Everest being the final climb. Before June 2007 he had only climbed one mountain over 5,000m. Ian also took on a charity element, raising €70,000 to build the Mt. Everest primary school in Uganda with Irish charity Fields of Life.
Jeff Blumenfeld, adventure marketing specialist, understands that modern-day exploration ultimately involves making it relevant to mass audiences. Based in Bolder, Colorado, he is president of the adventure marketing agency Blumenfeld and Assoc., and is editor and publisher of Expedition News which he founded in 1994 to cover news about exploration.
Jim Clash has given talks literally at both ends of the Earth – the Amundsen-Scott Station on the South Pole and a nuclear icebreaker at the North Pole. The seasoned Forbes adventure and business journalist speaks on motivation and risk assessment through his own exotic experiences.
Captain Lynn Danaher was born in Portland, Oregon, raised on the Columbia River. She has spent her life around the marine environment, self taught and educated in the field. Lynn spent 23 years living in Alaska. During that time she homesteaded in the bush for 5 years and was a commercial fisherman for 14 years.
As a young adventurer, speaker and leader Matt is second to none. A polar adventurer, sailor, and inspirational speaker Matt takes an audience on powerful leadership adventures. Using the latest in interactive technology, the audience makes critical decisions during the unique and compelling journey. This leadership adventure inspires audiences to challenge themselves and their teams to think differently and push for success
Michael's remarkable career as one of the world’s leading undersea explorers began in 1988. For 20 years Michael has pursued a parallel professional development track in both scientific and commercial diving in his home waters of New England, the Caribbean and Antarctica. Michael's undersea work spans academic and private sectors including numerous university marine programs and work with private engineering firms.
Nancy describes herself as “simply a mom who decided to go for a bike ride”. This bike ride took Nancy and her family on an unbelievable adventure. A long-time veteran of classroom teaching, Nancy took 12 months out with her husband John and 8 year old twins to cycle 9,300 miles around North America. Nancy is an inspirational speaker who breaks down the conventional boundaries associated with motherhood and learning.
Ryan Waters is a professional mountaineer, guide and polar adventurer. He is the first American to complete the Adventurers Grand Slam by climbing the highest mountain on each continent - the Seven Summits - plus skiing unsupported full ski expeditions to the North and South Poles. Ryan is the also the First American to ski unsupported to both the North and South Poles and via unconventionally difficult means.