Meet the Staff

Geoff Curtis: OPR shop manager
I have been attending CWU since fall of last year. I am majoring in psychology and public health. I transferred from WSU with a bit of a break in between schools. With my break I skied as much as possible and developed an appreciation for the outdoors. Aside from skiing I love to hike, bike, swim and get outdoors as much as possible. I hope to enrich Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals with this enthusiasm for the outdoors. I look forward to helping people get outside and recreate.

Kurt McCanles: Trip Leader
Hey! I grew up in Vancouver, WA and have been an outdoor enthusiast for years! My first love was cycling; I started riding my bike nearly everyday when I was 14. First just around my neighborhood, then around Vancouver, then around the county! Eventually I rode across the country at the age of 16, then once more last summer! Backpacking has become my recent addiction. I love traveling, exploring new places, and meeting new people. I also enjoy 4x4ing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skydiving, skateboarding, and climbing. I have a passion for music which is what attracted me to Central, but when I arrived, I decided I loved to be outside more than anything. I'm a sophomore and am currently majoring in Geography/Land Studies and minoring in Environmental Studies. This year I hope to create some extraordinary trips and I hope to see you there!

Charlie Brown : Rental Shop Attendant / Trip leader
What up? My name is Charlie Brown (no joke). I was born in Japan lived there for a year and moved to the states. I’ve been in Washington ever since. It is an amazing place to be because it offers a little bit of everything. I love the outdoors; camping, and hiking are a lot of fun, but what I get really jazzed up for is water sports. Rafting, waterskiing, wakeboarding, boating… if it’s got water, it’s awesome. I have a about a year left here at CWU then it’s off to the Caribbean.

Darrell Kangiser: Rental Shop Attendant / Mr. Fix All
Viva La Ellensburg! I am a junior at C.W.U. and have been working with Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals since the beginning of my freshman year. I am from Tacoma, but I was familiar with Ellensburg throughout most of my life because of numerous fishing and hunting trips. I love the outdoors whether it be hiking, swimming, or climbing. My current motto is, "Know a little bit of everything, and not a lot of anything." With the people I lead on trips and the customers I rent supplies to, I want that motto to change... "I know everything!"

Tristen Owens: Rental Shop Attendant
Until I came to Ellensburg, I had always been a strict "gym-goer." I never fully realized the beauty and benefit that there was in being active outdoors. Then, I started attending Central and working at the Recreation Center. I was introduced to Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals for the first time. After learning so much about the opportunities and experiences available in the Ellensburg area and all the things OPR has to offer, the gym just isn't quite as exciting. I still love Spin(r) class, but nothing can beat the excitement of being able to go hiking, kayaking, floating, skiing, or anything else right in your own backyard!

Katie Schmidt: Rental Shop Attendant
Hi, my name is Katarina Reka Schmidt (Katie) and I am very happy to be here at CWU! I spent my childhood playing in the foothills of Snohomish, but ventured into the great outdoors on family camping trips to Okanogan, Wenatchee, Granite Falls, and many more. I graduated from Snohomish High School in 2006, and moved myself to the big city of Seattle. And while I hiked and kayaked occasionally with friends this past year, I yearned to be closer to the trees and mountains. So here I am, a freshman at Central Washington University, in a town where I can enjoy my first love- nature. I just started working for Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals, and I am quite excited be promoting adventures into the wilderness. Aside from all that, I am a studio art major and I love Battleships!

 

Ryan Johnson: Trip leader