Being cooped up at home due to the initial restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 provided unexpected inspiration for gym instructor and expedition coordinator Tyson English.
Knowing it was not safe to be outdoors in the congested city, English and friends planned a camping trip to Linden and he later posted the pictures from the excursion to Facebook.
In his post, English jokingly asked who would want to join him on the next trip. You can guess what happened next. Soon enough, he was flooded with comments from persons excited to getaway and his inbox was filled. His next trip consisted of 19 persons.
The feedback following the trip was amazing and taking into consideration the opinions of persons who were on the hike, English made a few adjustments. Since then, he has coordinated trips to Yarrowkabra and Timehri/Madewini, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. One of the trips included crossing a swamp, which English said was tailored for persons wanting more of an adventure. He noted that systems were put in place for persons on the trip who couldn’t swim.
English, who hails from Region Five, is no stranger to such adventures. He is currently the expedition leader for the President’s Youth Award Programme of Guyana (PYARG), a responsibility that sees him undertaking tasks such as training and development for fellow members. Through the programme, which is part of the international Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, English has hiked and camped at numerous places across Guyana as well as a number of countries in the Caribbean. Locally he has made it to Moruca; Mainstay/Capoey; Tapakuma/Mashabo; Leguan; Wakenaam; Timehri/Madewini; Mahaicony Creek; Black Bush Polder; Orealla/Siparuta; Potaro Trail from the Sherima Crossing to Central Bartica; Sherima Crossing to Kaburi Village (a total of 67 miles); Bartica Water Front to White Water Falls and back; all of Iwokrama from Kurupakari Crossing to Surama Junction (67 miles in total); Mahdia to Kaieteur Falls; Manari Ranch to Kumu Falls to Moco Moco Falls; and Mackenzie Hospital to Kumaka Village to Wismar Shore to Buck Town and back.
English has also gone on expeditions in Trinidad, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bahamas, Dominica, Brazil, Jamaica, and Antigua.
When asked about persons adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, English stressed that participants adhere to social distancing rules and when traveling, they are required to always wear their masks properly.
Those taking on hikes and expeditions are required to be in good health, to dress comfortably as if they were going to the gym, including wearing sneakers or hiking boots, and to always have their face masks to wear at the appropriate times.
Hikes are typically scheduled for weekends as many persons are working during the week. He noted, however, that for persons looking for expeditions during the week, at least ten persons are required to facilitate such a trip.
Since English initially began coordinating the hikes, there has been an increase in the number of participants, which is why there is now a cutoff date for reservations.
The smallest group to have gone hiking since English began his trips in June comprised 11 hikers. The youngest of all of his hikers, he said, was a 15-year-old, while there are occasional hikers who are in their 50s and 60s.
His most recent trip was last weekend when a group of persons headed to Bartica. Currently, English is coordinating an overnight trip to Mashabo Lake as well as back-to-back trips to Bartica and Timehri.
Asked how he will manage the back-to-back trips, he said owing to being physical active, he is not going to be exhausted. In fact, he mentioned that he has previously done 11 back-to-back trips.
English said there is also a planned overnight trip to Kaieteur Falls sometime in November. Plans are also in train for expeditions to the Pakaraimas, Monkey Mountain (Region Eight) and Schomburg’s Peak in Region Nine later this year.
English is hoping as time goes by, he can offer an exclusive package surrounding fitness as well as set up cabins at a location where there is a hiking spot or where couples or families can have a retreat. He hopes to be able to plan international packages for clients down the road. At present, there is a group from Trinidad that is waiting for their borders to reopen in order to travel for an expedition here that English has coordinated.
Asked whether he hopes to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, English noted that he likes that he is providing a one of a kind service to people around Guyana and would like to keep it that way for now instead of having to adhere some formal contract. However, he said he wouldn’t mind having his calendar of activities coincide with that of the ministry’s national calendar.
English is a former physical education teacher at Queen’s College. He at one time served as a manager at Princess Hotel.
In 2013, he started his fitness business at the Ogle Community Centre, which now closed as a result of COVID-19. However, English is offering workout sessions outdoors. His day begins at 4am. He has workout sessions at Ogle in the mornings from Monday to Friday and in the afternoons, he does workout sessions at D’Urban Park. Between the two workout sessions, English provides virtual sessions as well as personal one-on-one sessions.
One-day hikes cost an average of $5,000 to $7,000 while overnight hikes cost $20,000 or less. Costs are subject to change depending on the location. Though the cost of packages include water, beverages, snacks/food, and energy bars, English stated that he always encourages those coming on trips to support the local shops in the areas where they will be hiking.
Interested persons can contact English at 696-6452.
