Life is an adventure.
It is also the basis for a monthly gathering of curious people, adventure-seekers and enthusiasts, and even those who simply want to broaden their world view by experiencing journeys far from the comfort of home.
The Elora Adventure Club has been a local destination for anyone who shares the philosophy that life is, in fact, an adventure – and the casual group’s evolution has been a journey in its own right.
“We had talked about this idea with friends for years; to have a club where people could share their adventures,” said Ian Evans, co-founder of the club.
“It’s a gathering of like-minded individuals; people who want to share experiences,” adds Rick Goodfellow, co-founder and longtime Elora resident.
Of course, it all began with an adventure between Evans and Goodfellow, friends and avid cyclists who have pushed their own two-wheel voyages to personal extremes.
Evans is an avid cyclist who has cycled from the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean, most recently completing a solo and unsupported ride of 5,000km across Australia, raising over $6,000 for Centre Wellington Habitat for Humanity.
As a climber, he has reached five of the world’s Seven Summits, the highest mountains in each of the seven continents.
Goodfellow led numerous cycle tours in North America and Europe and took part in the Tour D’Afrique, cycling from Cairo to Cape Town and through India too. He is the organizer for the annual Food Cycle Ride in support of Centre Wellington Food Bank.
In the summer of 2009, the pair took on the challenge to circumnavigate Iceland by bicycle.
Inspired by the landscape and the people they met along the way, they turned their trip into a documentary.
The film made its debut screening at the Gorge Cinema in March 2010. Then the adventure really began.
“The stimulus came for us after Iceland. When we showed the film at the cinema, we put flyers out on all the chairs,” said Evans, who credits Goodfellow for putting the club’s concept into action.
The goal was to find other enthusiasts from within the community who were passionate about topics related to travel and extreme experiences or interesting voyages, and occasionally, welcoming guests from beyond the village’s borders, providing a forum to share, educate and inspire one another.
“It seemed to be a no-brainer with the kinds of people we have in this town,” said Goodfellow, who knew of many fellow travel and extreme Sports enthusiasts in Centre Wellington.
“We put our heads together and made a list of people in the community we knew who have had an interesting experience.”
Once the word got out, the list of potential speakers and participants grew. Sometimes Evans and Goodfellow would approach people to speak, other times people would volunteer.
“There has been no lack of presenters,” Goodfellow said. “The breadth of topics has been quite impressive.”
Over the past three years, the club has hosted more than 30 events with guest speakers on a vast array of subjects through monthly meetings (held from fall to spring) – to an overwhelming response from the community.
“We’ve had people come out from the ages of about 17 years old to 92,” said Evans.
He explains the presentations have highlighted regions or events from every continent on earth, and have covered everything from issues of mining and volunteering, to art appreciation and education experiences.
“We’re always going to look for special speakers,” said Evans. “And by special I mean out of the ordinary.”
Camille Slack, along with Centre Wellington District High School classmate Serena Soucy, were amongst the youngest presenters to the club, speaking about their participation in the Students on Ice program, a 15-day expedition to the Antarctic.
“My favourite part from our presentation was just getting to talk to everyone afterwards,” said Slack. “So many of the members are incredibly well travelled and super knowledgeable, so it was amazing to hear their stories and share a little bit in their adventures.”
Slack added, “There were actually other couples that had been to the Antarctic before Serena and myself, and hearing their take on it was really interesting. I was really glad that we had time to talk to people and learn about all the places they had travelled to and the cultures they had learned about.”
Evans adds, “Our presenters, ranging from students to retirees, showcase a wide variety of personal experiences from worldwide adventure travel to other passionate pursuits.”
He points to speakers like the recent presentation by Lloyd Swick, a Second World War and Korean War veteran and United Nations Observer, who spoke about his efforts to create the Animals in War Dedication in Ottawa.
“Its’ not all about adventure travel. That’s a strong element of it, but we’ve had people like Colin Williams speak on wind tunnel testing around the world or Dave Alves talking about the changes in veterinary practice in Ontario,” said Goodfellow.
“One of the most unique presenters we’ve had in the last while was Mike Lee, who spoke on dismantling weapons of mass destruction from the cold war in the Russian nuclear submarines,” Evans said.
“These are the bookends of what we’ve covered. From Mike with nuclear disarmament, to a veterinarian speaking about practices in Ontario, to biking all over the world.”
Last February, the club hosted Gwynne Dyer, a renowned freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer, to speak on “The Triumph of Non-Violence.”
On Dec. 12 at 7:30pm, the club will welcome author Robert Burcher to present “ArchaeoMythology and The Leather Boat.”
Burcher’s research into the pre-European discovery of North America is detailed in his book, The Leather Boat, which recounts the evidence he amassed through travel and research over the years that indicates ancient Celts predated Viking arrival in North America by 1,000 years.
“The subjects are wide reaching and wide open,” Evans said. “We never vet what people will say. The only caveat is time.”
Most presentations take place within a 45-minute time span.
Richard Burt of Elora has offered three presentations on his career in the mining industry and his passion for international travel: “Shining a light out of the heart of the darkness of Africa”; “Antarctic Odyssey;” and “Rare metal mining and exploration,” focused on Brazil.
Burt and his wife Roz have been part of the Elora Adventure Club since its inception.
“When we started years ago, I don’t think any of us could have imagined the turnout,” Burt said, adding he is impressed by the longevity of the group and its ability to continuously find engaging presenters.
“The diversity of speakers from the Arctic to the Antarctic and the far east to the far west is incredible,” Burt said, adding that for a small village, the audience is supportive and growing. “It’s a great way of bringing diversity to Elora and it shows the diversity of the community of Elora.”
Evans agrees. He said, “It’s given me a real appreciation for where I live, for the wealth of talent in the area and I am inspired by others.”
For the organizers, the audience is as important as the equally-varied presenters because it proves the club’s initiatives are of merit in the community.
“To enable people in the community to see places and experiences that they may not be able to do on their own … they live vicariously through these adventures,” said Goodfellow.
Burt confirms Goodfellow’s insight, stating, “I don’t think you have to be a backpacker to enjoy this club. You don’t have to be one of the people doing the adventures; you just have to be interested in travel, adventure, seeing other parts of the world. It’s about what they regard as an adventure. Whenever you are slightly outside your comfort zone, that becomes an adventure.”
Evans said, “Adventure is in the eye of the beholder.” He noted that has become the credo of the club.
While the audiences may change depending on the topic of the event, Goodfellow insists the club consistently gets a solid turnout of patrons.
“You get a different group of people who don’t come to the travel events, but come to the information events, and some who come to both, but it’s always a great turnout and a diverse crowd.”
“It’s been very organic, its growth,” Goodfellow adds of the group.
Evans attributes this to the group’s casual nature.
“There is zero formality to it,” Evans said. “The last thing we want is to put a structure to it.”
Admittance to the group is donation at the door, and while the group has floated to various venues, they have remained rooted in the village.
“We always want to support the local community,” Evans said, grateful for venues like the Gorge Cinema, Elora Centre for the Arts, the Elora library and Legion hall, and in the early days, the Elora Mill.
As the group has grown, so has the need for space. Beginning in 2013, monthly meetings are now held in the Heritage River Retirement Residence’s function room.
To push people out of their comfort zone, on Jan. 23 at 7:30pm the club is hosting an Open Mic Night. Five speakers will be given five minutes to speak and host a question and answer presentation on any subject.
Adventurous types can email their name and subject of discussion to info@eloraadventureclub.com by Dec.10.
In just a few years, watching the Elora Adventure Club become a reality has been a journey of its own for Evans and Goodfellow, and the people who take part on a regular basis. It says as much about the community as it does about the desire to make life an adventure.
“The group has expanded and grown and it’s evolved. We have a history now and there is a loyal following,” said Goodfellow.
“We don’t know where this thing is going to go, aside from providing education and entertainment to the community. But who knows where it will go and grow.”
For more information about the Elora Adventure Club or its coming events and gatherings, visit www.eloraadventureclub.com or email info@eloraadventureclub.com.
The club meets at the Heritage River Retirement Residence at 25 Wellington Drive.
