Welcome

Menu
Facebook Twitter Youtube
Chat With Us
Menu
Book

Meet Our Leadership

The visionaries who revolutionized adventure tourism and created the world’s first canopy tour

Darren Hreniuk

Founder & President | Inventor of The Original Canopy Tour®

Darren Hreniuk is a true pioneer in adventure tourism, having invented The Original Canopy Tour® concept in the cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica in 1994. Before his groundbreaking innovation, nothing of this type had existed anywhere in the world. His vision was to create a tour that would take people into the rainforest canopy and experience jungle life from an entirely new perspective.

As the head designer and patent holder of multiple revolutionary safety systems, Darren has transformed the adventure tourism industry. He recognized early on that existing materials like steel wire were unsafe for carrying passengers through the treetops, leading him to collaborate with advanced fiber engineers who had solved problems for the US Military and NASA to develop proprietary solutions.

Under his leadership, TGO Designs has designed and built over 35 canopy tour locations across 10 countries, including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. His innovations are trusted by major cruise lines and hotel chains worldwide, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Marriott, Hilton, and the Ritz-Carlton.

Key Innovations & Patents

🎯

Original Inventor: Creator of The Original Canopy Tour® concept and head designer of Patent #2532, Costa Rica

🔒

Hrope Technology: US Patent #8,505,462 for the revolutionary polymer-coated rope that is 6x stronger than steel, doesn't rust, and doesn't conduct electricity

⚡

Dual Line Safety System: Invented the Hreniuk DLSS that revolutionized the high-angle industry with a completely fail-safe design

🏗️

US Patent #9,045,146: Advanced safety system design for tour operations

🎢

US Patent #10,376,798: Tethered Freefall and Swing innovation

🪜

US Patent #10,717,015: Double Helix Safety Ladder design

🧗

US Patent #10,780,360: Climbing Wall Conveyor system

📝

Copyrights: Owner of registered copyrights for The Original Canopy Tour Guide training manual (CR 6721 & US TXu 1-612-871)

™️

US Trademark: #2,068,162 for The Original Canopy Tour brand

🌴

International Patents: Patent holder in Jamaica (#3934, #3999) and Belize (#423.06)

🌳

Environmental Innovation: Designed tree-friendly platform suspension systems that allow trees to grow without harm—no nails or screws

⚖️

Forensic Expert: Named by the Costa Rican Justice system as a forensic examiner for high-angle incidents and expert witness for US Federal Court

Professional Journey

1994 – Present
Founder & President, TGO Designs Corp.

Founded Canopy Del Bosque Tropical S.A. and pioneered the canopy tour concept in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Successfully patented the revolutionary concept in 1997. Currently serves as President and COO of TGO Designs, the exclusive building and research & development company for The Original Canopy Tour. Also founded SEAL Tour Design & Engineering for advanced metal tower construction and engineering projects.

1988 – 1992
Personal Financial Advisor, Investors Syndicate

Managed over 350 active investment portfolios worth $24 million in Vancouver, B.C. Awarded "Rookie of the Year" in 1988 for the Vancouver Office, demonstrating exceptional financial acumen and client relationship management.

1982 – 1988
Division Manager, Hudson's Bay Company Northern Stores

Oversaw complete store operations in remote locations including Obedjiwan (Quebec), Kashechewan (Ontario), and Rigolet (Labrador). Managed retail, grocery, white goods, equipment dealerships, banking services, and community credit systems. Awarded the highest performance bonus ever paid to a Hudson Bay Manager in the $2-$2.5 million store range in the company's 316-year history (1985).

Get In Touch

Costa Rica Office:
#15F Avenida 33, La Uruca
San Jose, Costa Rica 10107

Phone:
CR: +506 2290-4403
Cell: +506 8839-4059
USA: +1 (713) 292-3509

Richard Graham

Co-Founder & Vice President | Chief Operations Officer

Richard Graham is a co-founding partner of The Original Canopy Tour and has been instrumental in building the company since 1992. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Ecology from the University of Toronto, Rick combines scientific understanding with business acumen to drive OCT’s global expansion and operational excellence.

As Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of OCT Enterprises Ltd (BVI), Rick oversees all franchise and licensed locations worldwide. Starting as one of the company’s first tour guides and then driving passengers from San Jose hotels to tour locations, he recognized the need for organized operational systems and developed comprehensive guide training programs and operational standards that became the foundation of OCT’s success.

Rick has spearheaded international development, leading to the formation of OCT Enterprises to franchise and license The Original Canopy Tour concept worldwide. He has overseen project management for over 35 canopy tour locations across 10 countries, ensuring each development comes in on time and on budget while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.

As a Platinum Member of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association with over 20 years in the cruise industry, Rick has built strong relationships at all levels with major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. He is responsible for developing cruise tour programs and serves as the exclusive liaison to cruise companies for all OCT locations.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements

🌍

Global Operations: Vice President & COO of OCT Enterprises Ltd, overseeing franchise locations in Jamaica (6), Belize (3), Mexico (1), Puerto Rico (3), British Virgin Islands, and Bahamas

🚢

Cruise Industry Expert: Platinum Member of Florida Caribbean Cruise Association with 20+ years of cruise line relationships and exclusive liaison for all major cruise partnerships

📋

Systems Developer: Created operational systems, guide training programs, and safety standards that became industry benchmarks

🏗️

Project Management: Oversaw development of 35+ canopy tour locations across 10 countries, delivering projects on time and on budget

🎓

Academic Background: Bachelor of Science in Biology/Ecology from University of Toronto (1995) with project management certification

💼

Business Development: Led sales, marketing, and reservations during startup, built websites, and initiated monthly newsletters

🏝️

Island Operations: Owner/CEO of Island Attractions Management (Bahamas) and Co-Owner/COO of Belize Nature Excursions Ltd

🤝

Partner Relations: Operations Director for Original Virgin Canopy Tour (BVI) and liaison to all OCT international partners

🏥

Medical Sales Background: Former Territory Sales Manager for Deknatel/Pfizer across Western Canada, specializing in trauma and vascular products

🌴

Costa Rica Resident: Living in Costa Rica since 1992, bringing deep local knowledge and cultural understanding to operations

Professional Journey

2001 – Present
Co-Founder, Vice President & COO, OCT Enterprises Ltd (BVI)

Leading global operations for The Original Canopy Tour franchise and licensing worldwide. Responsible for cruise tour program development, sales to all major cruise lines, and serving as liaison to all OCT partners across Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, Belize, and Bahamas. Oversees project management for new location development and training of managers.

2019 – Present
Owner & CEO, Island Attractions Management and Consulting Ltd (Bahamas)

Manages all staff and operations for the OCT project at Great Stirrup Cay in Bahamas, owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines.

2017 – Present
Co-Owner & COO, Belize Nature Excursions Ltd

Runs all staff and operations for the OCT project at Harvest Caye in Belize, owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines.

2015 – Present
Co-Owner & Operations Director, Original Virgin Canopy Tour (BVI)

Responsible for all safe operations and serves as exclusive liaison to cruise companies for the OCT project in Tortola.

1995 – 2005
Co-Founder & Co-Owner, Canopy del Bosque Tropical SA

Pioneered the canopy tour concept in Costa Rica as the fore-runner of OCT Enterprises. Developed operational systems, guide training programs, sales, marketing, and reservations. All international assets and business were rolled into OCT Enterprises Ltd in 2005.

1989 – 1992
Territory Sales Manager, Deknatel Inc (Pfizer Division)

Managed sales and product development for all of Western Canada from Vancouver, BC. Specialized in trauma, vascular, and heart specialty products including Pleur-evac systems and Snowden-Pencer medical instruments. Provided technical assistance in surgery and trained medical professionals across Western Canada.

Get In Touch

Email:
rick.graham@canopytour.com

Phone:
USA: +1 (305) 794-1580
CR: +506 8813-0183
Home: +1 (506) 2228-4968

Safety & Zero Casualty Rate

Darren Hreniuk has developed the safest canopy tour system in the industry with an impeccable zero casualty rate. His proprietary systems are so trusted that major cruise line insurers, including AON (underwritten by AIG Chartis), have given OCT locations special reduced insurance rates compared to tours using steel cable systems.

TGO Designs maintains rigorous daily, weekly, and monthly safety inspection protocols with comprehensive record-keeping and accountability measures. All products are certified upon completion, ensuring the highest standards of safety and entertainment for participants worldwide.