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George Kourounis is a renowned global adventurer, storm chaser, explorer and television presenter. Based in Toronto, his efforts to document nature's worst weather conditions have taken him all over the globe, into places most normal people are fleeing from. Whether it's a tornado outbreak in Kansas, a monster hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, forest fires in British Columbia, or even an erupting volcano, he's usually in the middle of the action with his camera rolling. His efforts have been seen around the world on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Explorer, BBC-TV, CNN and of course, his own adventure TV program Angry Planet which has been broadcast in over 100 countries. The program airs on OLN, City TV, The Travel Channel, The Weather Channel, Halogen TV & others. He started chasing tornadoes and other storms 20 years ago and has continued to expand his explorations to include all types of extreme natural phenomena. In January 2005, George brought
his camera to the remote Danakil Depression in the harsh Ethiopian
desert and was lowered 60 feet into the smoking crater of the
active Erta Ale volcano. He spent a half hour filming on top
of the freshly hardened surface of the lava lake wearing a protective
heat suit. When asked about his scariest experience: "Getting caught in a tornado was truly frightening. It was after dark and we were on the outskirts of Oklahoma City when the 2X4's and pieces of aluminum siding started flying towards my vehicle. The only thing I could do was to floor it and take shelter behind a shopping mall. The debris in the air was incredible. It was like driving through a swarm of bees. After it had passed, I was able to make out the cone shape in the darkness illuminated by blue-green explosions where it was destroying power lines." The question he is most often asked is simply: Why? "There is very little
of this Earth left to explore. The North and South Poles have
been reached. Even Mount Everest is the scene of regular traffic
jams on the side of the mountain during climbing season. I like
to think of myself as an explorer that goes to new places in
this world when they are under extraordinary circumstances. When
the harshest storms are lashing the area or when the mountain
is spewing molten rock. These are the new frontiers of exploration
in the 21st century." George's explorations of our
planet have included some truly unique experiences. In 2007 he
became the first person to ever rig ropes across the Boiling
Lake in Dominica and explore it from above.
In 2009, George was able to set foot on the newest land on Earth when an undersea volcanic eruption created a new island near the south pacific nation of Tonga. Having to swim ashore due to the rough seas, he discovered a crater lake that was still scalding hot from the recent eruptive activity. His travels have taken him to such far-flung places as: - The jungles of Rwanda to
witness rare mountain gorillas. By sharing these adventures with the world, George hopes that he can inspire people to break out of their routines and do something that they consider a little bit scary. "I'm not saying that
people should run into hurricanes or take a rubber raft out onto
a lake of sulphuric acid like I do, but just to step out of their
everyday life and do the things that they've always wanted to
do but were too afraid to actually try. It is amazing what people
are capable of if they just face their fears and go for it. Overcoming
personal obstacles like that makes for some of the best memories
and proudest moments of our lives. Your comfort zone is a terrible
place to be. George is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (UK), the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and is the Chairman of The Explorers Club Canadian Chapter. He's also a member of the Canadian Council For Geographic Education, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, and is on the board of directors for "Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants" an educational non-profit that brings explorers, scientists and researchers into North American classrooms via video-conferencing. He's also a National Geographic Certified Educator. He was awarded: - 2020: The Leif Erikson Exploration Award from the Exploration Museum in Iceland. - 2019: Canadian Geographic list of Canada's 45 Greatest Living Explorers. - 2019: Awarded the 90 Anniversary Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. - 2015 Medal from the Explorers Museum in Ireland "for courageous contribution to scientific research" - 2014: Stefansson Medal from the Explorers Club "for outstanding contribution to science and to public education by documenting extreme environments through film making." - Listed by Canadian Geographic Magazine as one of Canada's Top 100 Explorers. - Nominated for Gemini awards in 2008 and 2009 for his work hosting the Angry Planet TV series. |
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