Area/Topic
Southeast Asia, Sailing, Competitive Rowing, Family Adventure

Rob Hamill
Captain
The Cruising Kiwis

Marathon rowing champion Rob Hamill represented New Zealand in rowing for 16 years. Rob's numerous rowing achievements include a silver medal at the World Championships, Commonwealth gold and a world record on the indoor rowing machine.

Rob rowed for New Zealand at the Atlanta Olympics and published The Naked Rower on how he and Phil Stubbs captured headlines around the world winning the gruelling and inaugural Atlantic Rowing Race in 41 days. He then led teams to successful defences in the next two editions making it a three-peat of victories for New Zealand.

Together with his wife Rachel and their teenage sons they are attempting to circumnavigate this gorgeous planet by sail boat. They have taken their children out of school to educate outside the classroom and learn from nature and new cultures.

They’ve only begun to scratch the surface with plenty more to explore. They hope to inspire others to explore different ways to live and educate while having a truckload of fun along the way.

https://thecruisingkiwis.com/

Summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, Jason Elkins interviews Rob Hamill, a boat captain and sailor with the Cruising Kiwis. Rob shares his journey of sailing around the world with his family and the challenges and adventures they have encountered. The conversation covers topics such as Rob's childhood introduction to sailing, the tragic loss of his brother, and his own experiences in the Atlantic Rowing Race. Rob emphasizes the importance of following your passions and taking calculated risks in life. Rob Hamill shares his experience of pursuing his passion and overcoming naysayers, including the loss of his brother. He discusses the support he received from his parents and the impact of grief on his mindset. Rob also talks about the financial aspects of his adventures and how he transitioned from in-person speaking engagements to online platforms. He highlights the importance of timing and the enthusiasm of his teenage sons in embracing the sailing lifestyle. Rob emphasizes the sense of community and the joy of exploring different cultures and cuisines along the way. In this conversation, Rob Hamill and Jason Elkins discuss their love for food and different cuisines, as well as their experiences with traveling and exploring new places. They also talk about the importance of exposing children to different cultures and experiences. Rob shares his journey following his brother's footsteps in Cambodia and the emotional impact it had on him. They touch on the challenges and excitement of sailing and the unexpected mishaps that can occur. The conversation ends with a discussion on the value of embracing adventure and avoiding boredom in life.

Takeaways

• Rob Hamill shares his journey of sailing around the world with his family and the challenges they have faced.
• The tragic loss of Rob's brother had a profound impact on his life.
• Rob emphasizes the importance of following your passions and taking calculated risks.
• The Atlantic Rowing Race was a significant milestone in Rob's life, and he learned valuable lessons from the experience. Don't let naysayers discourage you from pursuing your passion.
• Grief can have a profound impact on one's mindset and desire to prove mortality.
• Timing is crucial when embarking on new adventures.
• Transitioning from in-person events to online platforms can be challenging bu

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.

Area/Topic
Ecuador, Adventure Sports

Santiago Granda
Cofounder
Amazing Ecuador DMC

I am passionate about traveling and enjoying the big outdoors. And having the Andes, the Amazon, the Galapagos and the Pacific Coast as my backyard opens limitless possibilities to enjoy nature, wildlife and local encounters all day, everyday.

https://amazingecuador.com.ec/

Summary
Santiago Granda, from Amazing Ecuador, shares his journey into guiding and the importance of connecting with people and communities in adventure tourism. He was inspired by his mother, who informally guided tourists in Ecuador when he was a child. Santiago realized his natural talent for languages and connecting with people, which led him to become a guide. He believes that the best guides are teachers at heart, eager to share their knowledge and experiences with others. Santiago's first experience as a guide was taking a group to Cotopaxi and Otavalo, and he was hooked from then on. In this conversation, Santiago explains the role of a Destination Management Company (DMC) and how Amazing Ecuador serves as a local partner for travel agents around the world. He emphasizes the importance of respecting the local communities and their ways of life when traveling. Santiago also highlights the value of learning a few words of the local language to enhance the travel experience. He discusses the potential negative impacts of mass tourism and the need to keep it under control to preserve the relationships and natural landscapes in the visited communities. Santiago concludes by expressing his love for the tourism industry and the connections it fosters.

Keywords

Santiago Granda, Amazing Ecuador, guiding, adventure tourism, connecting with people, communities, natural talent, languages, teaching, first guiding experience, DMC, local partner, travel agents, respect, local communities, language, mass tourism, negative impacts, connections

Takeaways

• Guiding is about connecting with people and sharing experiences.
• Being a guide is a natural talent that involves teaching and sharing knowledge.
• The outdoors and adventure activities can help with personal growth and overcoming challenges.
• Being present in the moment is important in adventure tourism.
• Connecting with communities and learning from locals enhances the travel experience.
• Adventure tourism is about the connection with people, not just the destination. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) like Amazing Ecuador serve as local partners for travel agents around the world, handling logistics and providing personalized itineraries for travelers.
• Respect for the local communities and their ways of life is crucial when traveling, including being mindful of cultural norms, learning a few words of the local language, and appreciating different ways of doing things.
• Mass tourism can have negative impacts on communities and natural landscapes, so it is important to keep it under control and prioritize sustainable and responsible travel.
• Learning from and connecting with local people and cultures can enhance the travel experience and foster meaningful connections.
• The tourism industry plays a significant role in promoting understanding, empathy, and peace by bringing people from different cultures together.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.

Area/Topic
Canada, BC, Paddleboarding

Pamela Martin
Owner
Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures

Pam tried paddleboarding for the first time in 2010 and fell in love! She is now is a certified Paddle Canada SUP Basic & Advanced Flatwater Instructor, as well as a Coastal Touring 1 Instructor.

​Pam studied Marine Biology at the University of Guelph & Commercial Photography at Sheridan College. Her love of the water has led her to many aquatic pursuits - canoeing as a child, competitive sailing, sprint canoe/kayak racing and long-distance Outrigger Canoe racing before discovering the sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding.

https://www.bluejellyfishsup.ca/

Summary
Pam Martin from Blue Jellyfish Stand Up Paddle Board Tours shares her journey in the adventure tourism industry. She has always been drawn to the water and pursued a career in marine biology. After discovering stand-up paddleboarding, she started incorporating it into her tours and adventures. When her business partner had to step away due to illness, Pam focused more on lessons and courses, but now she is bringing back the culinary and music components. She plans to expand her business to warm destinations like Costa Rica and Ireland, where she has already explored and paddled. The food scene in Ireland has evolved to include healthy farm-to-table options, and there is a strong emphasis on community and connection. In this conversation, Pam discusses the different types of paddleboards and their pros and cons. She explains that inflatable paddleboards are not a gimmick and that high-quality inflatables can feel just as solid as hardboards. Pam also mentions that inflatables are a great option for those who don't have storage space for a hardboard and are easy to travel with. She emphasizes that paddleboarding is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels, and that it offers a low-impact workout that engages the core. Pam encourages people to give it a try and experience the magic of being out on the water.

Takeaways

• Pam Martin's love for the water and the outdoors led her to pursue a career in adventure tourism, specifically in stand-up paddleboarding.
• She values the connection and community that can be created through adventure tourism experiences.
• After her business partner had to step away, Pam shifted her focus to lessons and courses, but she is now reintroducing the culinary and music components to her tours.
• Pam plans to expand her business to warm destinations like Costa Rica and Ireland, where she has already explored and paddled.
• The food scene in Ireland has evolved to include healthy farm-to-table options, and there is a strong emphasis on community and connection. Inflatable paddleboards are not a gimmick and can feel just as solid as hardboards.
• Inflatables are a great option for those who don't have storage space for a hardboard and are easy to travel with.
• Paddleboarding is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.
• It offers a low-impact workout that engages the core.
• Paddleboarding allows for a magical experience of being out on the water.

Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.