CAST LIST
Gord Closson
The son of a logger, 32-year-old Gord began his heli-logging career at 19 when he started climbing for a company on Vancouver Island. By 24, Gord was already supervising his own crews, often in charge of men twice his age. Four years ago, Gord decided to start his own heli-logging company, South Coast Standing Stem, which is headquartered in Duncan, BC.
South Coast Standing Stem is the only company on Vancouver Island which exclusively focuses heli-logging. Gord rises early each day, kisses his children and wife goodbye, then divides his time with office work and driving back and forth between his various logging jobs. Along with the pressures of trying to keep a new business afloat, Gord's other main priority is the safety of his 25 heli-logging employees. He is self-described as loud, controlling, and often obnoxious, but there is a method to his madness... making South Coast Standing Stem the number one heli-logging company in the world.
When he is not working Gord likes to go ATVing, hunting, fishing, boating, playing hockey and spending time with his beautiful wife Sarah, daughter Stella Ray, and son Hudson.
Robyn Robson
Robyn, 32, was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, but decided to move to Vancouver Island at the age of 22. He got a heli-logging job where he worked with one Gord Closson... and soon the two were best friends.
When Gord decided to start South Coast Standing Stem one of his first calls was to Robyn who is now one of his climber supervisors. Although Robyn is the boss's best friend, to Gord, when Robyn is on the job, he is expected to adhere to the rules like anyone else. When he is not working Robyn likes camping and throwing back a few brews with the boys. He has a wife, Lindsay, who writes him notes in the lunch he makes for him each day and a baby boy aptly named Forest.
Jim Keyes
The most memorable Heli-logger is 48-year-old Jim "The Beast" Keyes. His nickname was given to him because of his combination of untamed body hair and a deep, penetrating voice that rivals Darth Vader.
In addition to being an expert climber, Jim is also a First Aid Attendant for South Coast making him the go-to guy if anyone on his crew gets hurt on the job. When not donning his "restrictive" logging clothes, Jim prefers to wear long hanging muumuus, which he will wear anywhere and everywhere: around the house, to the store, or even a wedding. His kids are all grown now and none are in the logging world, but the love of his life is Karen, whom The Beast aptly calls "The Beauty". She is a hairdresser by trade, but her hardest job is trying to tame The Beast.
Wayne Cleaver
Cleaver (rarely is he referred to by his first name) began logging with his dad at the tender age of two. Logging is definitely in his blood. So when he began logging with fellow woodsman Gord Closson, the two became great friends.
Today, 30-year-old Cleaver is one of South Coast's most experienced climbers along with, undoubtedly, its loudest. Cleaver never came across a conversation he didn't want to be part of and prides himself on making his fellow Heli-loggers pray for a moment of silence when he is around. Although Cleaver used to throw the beers back with the boys as often as he could, his priorities changed with the birth of his son and daughter.
Wes Fowler
Wes, 23, was born and raised on a farm in the Duncan area. After high school, he began working for Gord's father's tree-trimming company. A self-described adrenaline junkie, Wes was drawn to the Heli-logger life and quickly transferred his services to the younger Closson at South Coast Standing Stem.
As a greenhorn Heli-logger, Wes makes less money then his co-workers, but he soon hopes to shed his "Green" status and be able to become full fledge Heli-logger. Until then, he will have to put up with the veterans constant ribs and jibes. Upon seeing young Wes pick up a chainsaw and nibble his way across the limbs of a tree, they immediately tagged him with the nickname, Nibbler. Off the job, Wes loves biking, boating, hunting, and anything else that keeps the adrenaline level up.
Jason Closson
Like his younger brother Gord, Jason began a life in the woods at a very young age. Jason, 35, works for South Coast Standing Stem, but is also partners with Gord on a sister company North Coast Standing Stem.
Jason runs the day-to-day business of this company, but still has to answer to his younger brother. Where Gord is clearly a Type "A" personality, Jason is unequivocally Type "B". He is much more reserved and shy than his domineering younger brother. Some siblings have quarrels, but when you add the element of working together in a high-pressure business, this fact becomes a foregone conclusion. When workplace friction occurs, it is always left at the workplace, allowing these brothers to remain close off the job. When he is not working, Jason loves the outdoors and working on his fixer-upper house. He lives in Courtney, BC with his wife and two young boys.