About Rescue Canada

James is a trainer with Rescue Canada, drawing on his credentials as  Swiftwater Rescue Instructor,  BCROA Examiner and  International Rafting Federation Class 4 Raft Instructor/Examiner. Through Rescue Canada, he contributes to high-level technical training in swiftwater rescue and related competencies, supporting industry-best practices in safety and emergency response for guides, rescuers, and outdoor professionals.

In addition to his role at Rescue Canada, James Rodger is Co-Chair and an Associate Teaching Professor in the Adventure Studies Department at Thompson Rivers University, where he leads programming in rafting and swiftwater rescue and helps guide the strategic direction of the department. He holds an Adventure Guide Diploma and a Bachelor of Tourism Management from Thompson Rivers University (formerly University College of the Cariboo), as well as a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University.

With more than 30 years industry experience and a decade of postsecondary teaching and coordination experience, James focuses on developing students’ professionalism, leadership, communication, and risk management skills to meet and exceed the evolving demands of the adventure, outdoor and resource industries. His academic work is complemented by extensive field experience as an international trip leader and guide in locations such as Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Fiji, and southern Africa.