I’ve always loved the outdoors. As a kid growing up in Argentina, my parents would choose camping and exploring the outdoors on family vacations instead of visiting tourist destinations. Road trips, hiking, and swimming – combined with a father who always had a 35mm camera in hand – it’s hard not to see how my early years shaped the choices I’d make as an adult. Although I never would have guessed how much my love for the outdoors would eventually intertwine with my professional path.
Photo by Luke Rovner 
Photo by Luke Rovner 
Photo by Luke Rovner
Through the years, I always looked to get out in nature whenever possible. From camping trips in college to yearly reunions with old friends, my activities and vacations consistently went hand in hand with the outdoors. Even for our wedding photos, my bride and I requested our elegantly dressed family hike one of our favorite paths mid-wedding to a beautiful gorge in Ithaca, NY.
Eventually my work in graphic design, photography, and video placed me in the hustle and bustle of New York City – specifically amongst the cement mammoths of Manhattan. Although surrounded by water, the island’s boundaries did not provide the natural escape I often needed. My wife and I quickly took on the role of weekend warriors, joining so many others who have closets overflowing with camping gear, all packed and ready to be stuffed into the trunk of a car at a moment’s notice to speed away into the outdoors.
Everything changed, however, one summer when we decided to give kayaking a try.
At that time, we lived in a tiny apartment in Astoria, Queens. We had a tiny car and rented a tiny garage from a family two blocks away. Our plan was to get a pair of small kayaks and attempt to paddle every weekend in as many lakes and calm rivers as possible in our surrounding areas. Although the car-top setup and teardown of the kayaks in the city were really time consuming, we explored our favorite cities and towns in upstate New York. We made our way through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. We camped and paddled all summer and fell in love with the freedom that our kayaks provided.
We camped and paddled all summer and fell in love with the freedom that our kayaks provided.
As time went by, camping and paddling took a larger role in our overall life decision-making process. We realized just how important those fleeting moments in nature had become. During each work week, we longed for the weekend’s adventure, so we wanted to make the packing and prep as easy as possible. We looked for living situations with proper gear storage, easy access to water, and highways nearby that allowed us to quickly flee the city.
Photo by Luke Rovner 
Photo by Luke Rovner
Over the years, our paddling and trips became more adventurous. We transitioned into sea kayaking, coastal exploration, and kayak camping. Eventually, I trained to become a sea kayak instructor, and discovered an incredibly welcoming outdoors community. From paddling classes and events to exploration trips and seminars, I found that kayakers largely share an inherent love for the outdoors and what it brings to each of us.
As I trained and traveled, my love of photography and video work led me to capture my progress and adventures (which I often shared with friends and fellow paddlers). Without realizing, my content quickly developed into an outdoors adventure channel aimed to help others – or to maybe find ideas, inspiration, and motivation to explore the outdoors.
Photo by Luke Rovner 
Photo by Luke Rovner
Similarly, the internet and social media created an incredible connection and access to paddlers from all around the world. This connection allowed me to travel to destinations I never imagined and meet new friends that share in that same passion.
I hope to continue relentlessly trying to tip that balance in favor of more adventures enjoying – and connecting – with nature.
So, today I find myself trying to spend more time outdoors each day, with family, for fun, and for work. I hope to continue relentlessly trying to tip that balance in favor of more adventures enjoying – and connecting – with nature.
