UKCG is working closely with Rich Carlson, the founder of the American Canyoneering Association, to develop and deliver a range of canyoning skills courses and guiding certification to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding sport in the UK.
Rich Carlson has been a wilderness traveler since the early 1970s. He started climbing in 1973 while living in Boulder, Colorado, and has since enjoyed climbing and canyoneering in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Texas, Nevada, North Carolina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Corsica, Greece, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.
In 1990 Rich gave up on corporate life and started guiding full time. He soon learned that he is happiest when he is teaching outdoor skills like climbing, rappelling, canyoneering, technical rope rescue, land navigation and wilderness survival. His students have included individuals, corporate groups, search and rescue teams, backcountry rangers, law enforcement angencies and the military.
Rich has built a reputation as the most experienced professional canyoneering guide and instructor in the United States. In the spring of 1999 he became the first American to be certified as a canyoning guide in Europe. He subsequently founded the American Canyoneering Association and continues to serve as the association’s president.
Rich’s experience in team building began in the mid 1980′s with Leadership Reaction Courses in the military. He has since facilitated programs for numerous companies, including many from the Fortune 500.
Rich’s qualifications include:
- 10 years Corporate Consultant – Strategic Planning
- Senior Instructor / Course Manager, Officer Candidate School
- Army Reserve Officer – Training, Human Resources, Safety
- Certified Community College Instructor
- Certified Army Instructor
- Certified Canyoning Guide, CEC
- Senior Instructor, American Canyoneering Association
- Certified Wilderness First Responder
- Certified First Aid and CPR Instructor
- Certified High Angle Rope Rescue Technician
- Certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT2)
- Certified Ropes Challenge Course Facilitator
- Honor Graduate, Defense Mapping School
- Honor Graduate, Officer Candidate School
- Army Commendations for Innovations in Training
- AUSA Leadership Award Nominee
- Arizona Army National Guard Meritorious Service Medal
- Professional Member, American Mountain Guides Association
- AMGA Certified – Top Rope Site Management