Dave Edgar

Dave Edgar

Owner

I am the owner and operator of Great Lakes Outfitters, and I buy for hiking, camping, apparel, footwear, and paddling. Before I bought the store in 2009, I was a helicopter pilot working across the Canadian Arctic, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Ask me about: Anything camping or hiking, canoes, and kayaks. I know Outdoor Research, Delta Kayaks, Wilderness Systems, and Scott Canoes best. I am a gear nerd and spend a lot of time researching the products I buy.

What I enjoy: Combining camping and paddling, and being in and around Lake Superior year round. I am also a passionate kite surfer, and if it is windy, you will find me on Lake Superior with my kiteboard or snowboard, depending on the season.

Favourite gear: My Delta kayak or Scott canoe. Both give me the freedom to explore incredible places around Algoma, and both are lightweight, amazing quality, and a joy to paddle.

Best trip: I have been fortunate to have a lot of amazing adventures, from backpacking New Zealand and climbing Mt Kenya to hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, kitesurfing in Tahiti, and flying helicopters on Baffin Island. New Zealand was so special because I was 19, and everything was new. When I decided to leave university to travel, I bought my tent and backpack at Joe's Sports, not knowing I would one day own the store. Life is an adventure!

What I enjoy most about helping customers: Setting people up with the right equipment and clothing so they have the same amazing experience I have on my adventures. The best part is when they come back, share their experiences, and tell us it was their best trip.

One more thing: I cannot walk past a camping store anywhere in the world without going in to check it out.