The Sports Adventure community is a small but diverse one. Meaningful and helpful connections are so important to the things we do. With that, I'd like to encourage you to consider the relationship and network you have with Southern California Outdoor Adventurers.

Our cross-section of members is multifaceted. Sure we have our share of (working) actors and other members of the industry within our group but did you know we have: a handful of retired professional snow boarders or an MD that has his own vitamin selling company, technical writers proficient in the latest computer OS as well as the latest medical ailments and trends? We have professionals performing work for kids who have no parents as well as those people on the street who for various reasons cannot help themselves. Event planners prevail within our group too - anyone need to plan a wedding?

All that to say, make sure your profile is up-to-date and meaningful. Put a picture up so we know what you look like when we are trying to find you at the event. Take a look at who is out there and network - that is what social networking is about.

With that, I want to make sure you have a chance to check out your organization crew here at SCOA. While all of them can put together just about any kind of event, I am going to highlight what they have done with the group so far. Please take a look at their profiles and feel free to seek them out to answer questions or point you in the right direction.


Chris Ashford

I have the pleasure of working with some of the most creative adventure organizers on the net. As a result, we have one of the best adventure groups on the planet. As you browse other groups, ask yourself, who lead their last adventure? What kind of comments were left after each event? When was their last event?



In addition to having an amazing experience when you choose an activity with SCOA, our goal is to be the first place you visit to each week when you are looking for something fun to do. We ask that you challenge us: got a question ask any of your SCOA Organizers, wanna do something that you don't see on the calendar ask us. Do you have a comment or concern, we want to hear those too. SCOA rocks better with your input!

Brian Petras


Brian started out as "just" a member of the group. He went on Randy's Big Adventure and was hooked! Currently he hosts our most popular event - Full Moon Hikes. The events routinely have 25-30 people in attendance. When you get a chance ask him about his snowboarding days. We look forward to some local skiing/snowboarding events from Brian later this winter.

Dario Padilla


Dario and I go way back. We have had some amazing adventures dating back from high school, through our time in the military, university and now. "Armed" with a compass, map and 64 oz of water - he can find his way anywhere in any conditions. We started the group together back in April. One of the most memorable events Dario held was the Hollywood Hills Horseback Dinner Ride - imagine riding at midnight in the Hollywood Hills. Presently, Dario is working a few social event angles. East-side represent!



Katja Dreyer



Katja has put some amazing events together: flying through the air on a trapeze , camping a Joshua Tree to river rafting on a snow melt-off river in the Sequoias . Anything outdoors with fresh air and adrenaline rushes - she is your organizer! Katja was one of the early members way back in April. She has a fantastic skiing/boarding adventure coming up later this winter."

Kevin Venner



Kevin was the first to go on the Catalina Mountain Biking Adventure . He demonstrated that is possible to flyout from LA, mountain bike the interior of Catalina and be back in time for a baseball game. Now hooked on Catalina, Kevin has put together a bunch of events on Catalina. If you haven't had his world famous vegetable soup - you are missing out!

Rosemary Phillips



Our latest addition to our cadre, Rose learned to scuba dive with SCOA two months ago and is now completing her advanced Open Water and Underwater Photography classes. She is leading boat and shore dives. Recently, we discussed ensuring we have at least one boat dive and one shore dive a month. She and I will ensure it happens. Since these events involve a great deal of coordination and resources we encourage you not to wait to the last minute to sign up. As soon as we get 7-8 people to start signing up for our boat dives, we will start chartering our own boats. With our own boat, we go when and where the group wants. We are very excited to have her on-board and look forward to some scuba diving on Catalina and Santa Cruz Islands in the coming months. If all goes well we will be on Galapagos Island soon!


Stein



Stein is a bad *ss. He does just about everything really well. Check out his profile to see where he has been and what he has done! When he is able to take a group out - it is an epic adventure. Ask him about his encounters with moose or about his treks through the forest in his native Norway. He has been a big help to our sister group Southern California Mountain Bikers too
. He plans on going to France this year for some proper skiing/boarding. If you are even remotely interested - drop him a line.

Stephen Le


There isn't much this guy hasn't done, so when he asked for my help - of course I stepped up! Probably the second biggest population within our group, next to hikers, is rock climbers. Many of our members joined the group with skills they obtained outside of Meetup yet a growing number - grew up with SCOA. In combination with our rock gym connections and Stephen's generosity, we have a little something for the rock climber. You want to climb some tucked away crag in Ojai? Maybe you just completed a belay class in the gym and want to try your hands on some real rock - Stephen's got ya covered.
2009 Stephen's looking for something new to offer us at SCOA. What about climbing in a remote corner somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea?. . . Stay Tuned.

Enjoy the season! Feel free to drop me a line anytime or call. If I don't have a ski pole or a camera in my hand I'll pick up. Don't forget you guys make this group rock - don't forget that!