Marty Grabijas

Title: Freelance writer
Location: Durango, Colo.

Expertise

• Topics of Expertise: Product development, kayaking, canoeing. alpine skiing, fly fishing, cycling, wilderness travel.
• Years in This Expertise: 50+
• Number of Products Expert Has Tested: Well over 1,000.

Education & Certifications

• Education: Various degrees in education and biochemistry.
• Years of Writing: 40+
• Certifications Held: Instructor, Instructor trainer, instructor trainer educator for most paddlesports disciplines. PSIA alpine instructor. USSS alpine race coach. WFR. WFA, CPR.
• Club or Association Memberships: American Canoe Association, Professional Ski Instructors of America, United States Ski & Snowboard, National Strength and Conditioning Association, Federation of Fly Fishers International. Mentor to Fort Lewis College School of Business Administration, Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs, and The Futurist Project.
• Awards or Recognitions: Numerous Gear of The Year and Editors Choice Awards for equipment that my team designed. A few podiums at nationals for various sports.
• Previous Publications: SNEWS, Forbes, Sporting Goods Business, Outside, Backpacker, Singletracks, Shooting Sportsman, Sporting Shot, Canoe & Kayak, Paddler, Sea Kayaker, et al.

A Word From Marty G.

My start in the outdoor industry was tying flies for a local Orvis shop. While other kids had paper routes, I tied flies. Our family was not of means. I could not afford to purchase the limited outdoor gear in the 70s. As a result, my grandmother taught me to sew, and I made all of my own gear. That eventually led to my creating an OEM design/manufacturing business where we did contract work for many of the largest brands. That background of being in closed-door meetings with management, developing products for them, auditing factories around the world, and overseeing production provided me with a very deep understanding of the products from white paper until you are using it in the field.

Prior to getting on my feet in the industry, I was a dirtbag guide after I had exited the military. I maintained and added to those credentials over the years, guiding, instructing, and leading first descents on multiple continents.

These days, I teach a bit of skiing, coach a bit of alpine racing, and take the occasional guiding gig to extraordinary locations domestically and internationally. Mostly, though, I am a Service Animal to My Canine.