IN 1997, Curt graduated from the Weyburn Compressive High School and went on to begin his apprenticeship as a Powerline Technician. Curt took his job, as the ninth most dangerous of all professions, in stride, and loved every minute of it. He describes it as building a masterpiece in the sky while providing a fundamental necessity to communities. In 2003, Curt obtained his Inter-Provincial Red Seal Journeyman Powerline Technician Certificate. Curt then went on to provide key roles in Live-Line work on energized conductors, crew leader, and taking 'stand by' to repair electricity in all adverse weather conditions, assisting thousands with power outages. He could be seen hanging out of helicopters, climbing power poles or working 60ft high out of a bucket truck. Curt absolutely loved his job and it taught him crucial components to life such as; leadership, safety, team work and how to be passionate about everything you do.
In the winter of 2006, A new passion for sports was born in Curt's vision ...Snowboarding. Curt's good friend, JP Martin, convinced him to try the sport and assured him he would love it. As soon as he had the edges worked out, Curt was a natural and was maneuvering jumps and high speed carving. Instantly, Curt was addicted and started seeking job opportunities in British Columbia so he could take in all that the Canadian mountains had to offer. In July of 2008, Curt had secured a job in Invermere, British Columbia a small community in the Rocky Mountains of Canada.
On September 13, 2008... only three short weeks after starting his new job in British Columbia, Curt's life was forever changed. That warm, fall day began like an other day as the skies were cloudless and the mountains glistened. Curt and his crew were working on a 25,000-volt overhead power line. One side of the overhead structure was energized while the other side was isolated with only one of the conductors being grounded, when his co-worker came into contact with an energized 14,400-volt power line. As electricity is always searching for the closest path to ground and Curt was that unfortunate source, as he had both hands working on a grounded conductor. The amount of electricity that may kill a person is only 0.5 amps (50 milliamps), and 0.1 to 0.2 amps can be lethal under certain conditions, and typically cause severe burns and/or unconsciousness. It was later discovered that Curt was electrocuted with 5 amps or 500% more current than a human can normally survive. Curt's body was burning alive from the inside out and struggling to hold on as his organs were beginning to shut down. The electricity had forged a path through his vital organs and exited both hands, while heating up his organs and blood to 400 degrees Celsius/700 degrees Fahrenheit. Curt was dying... If it hadn't been for the quick response of onlookers, dispatched paramedics, Doctors & Nurses at Invermere Hospital, STARS Ambulance Services the Calgary Foothills Burn Unit, and Dr Nickerson... Curt wouldn't be alive to share this inspirational journey. Curt not only almost died from the initial electrocution but also had two other brushes with death while in the Burn Unit.
A new and adaptive future was in store for Curt, but he had many hurdles along the way. As one can't imagine, being so independent and capable to becoming relying on all around him to assist in daily living, Curt then began to mentally struggle and start reliving components of his dark accident. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Depression Disorder (PTSD). This phase of his recovery was a trying period but once he was able to come to terms with his newly adapted lifestyle the opportunities were endless and he began to gain momentum.
Curt then started on the journey of living a healthier and active lifestyle, while slowly beginning where he was strongest.... on the ice! The Passion for hockey was reborn and could be seen playing 5 times/per week. The challenge was trying as he had to relearn aspects that used to be so natural prior but were now so foreign with a prosthetic attachment. Curt never gave up and continued to work harder on his weaker components to his game but channeling his stronger skill sets. Dean McAmmond, a retired NHL hockey player was a huge asset in Curt miraculous comeback on the ice, with months of intense training, he was ready for his debut. Curt was then invited to the National Amputee Hockey selection camp in Toronto, Ontario where he would compete with over 60-70 amputees with similar disabilities. After a few more selection camps he was selected to represent Canada as a part of the 2012 Canadian National Amputee Hockey Team. The Canadian National team went to Tampere, Finland where they would go onto win the World Championships and be crowned with the Golden title. This was a defying moment for Curt and made him realize that his disability had no limitations.
Representing Canada and becoming a World Champion was an extreme honor for Curt, and felt as if there was more left in his journey to accomplish. Curt embarked on a new path in February 2016... Para Snowboarding!. He received an invitation from Canada Snowboard to compete in the NorAM Cup's and World Cup’s at Big White where he won 2 Gold medals (Snowboard Cross & Bank Slalom) in his first ever competitions in the sport.! Later that week, he placed 6&7 in World Cup events. Beginners luck some might say! These podiums led him to the 2016 Speed Nationals in Quebec where he took Gold in the Para Upper Limb Category and becoming the National Champion.
Canada Snowboard selected their National teams in June 2016 and Curt was selected to the squad. In Curt’s full season in the World Cup circuit, he finished off 6th overall in the world. Some highlights of the 2016-2017 season were: Bronze podium in the Pre-Paralympic Test event in PyeongChang, South Korea and winning Gold again at 2017 Canadian Speed Nationals and becoming a two-time Canadian National Champion. He is now proudly representing Canada at the 2018 Paralympic games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Curt is not only a Canadian athlete, but inspires and motivates thousands of people around Canada and abroad as a Motivational Speaker. To date, he has spoken to over a 100 different audiences all over Canada. He shows how one’s worst nightmare, can be a true Canadian dream!! Curt lives by a simple moto... "Results are Limitless... if you Believe in yourself!".