Behind the Mission: Vista

Meet Jason “Vista” Prezant, a lead staffer since 2022. At 16, Vista was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, coincidentally the same year that First Descents was founded. But, it wasn’t until 15 years later that Vista discovered the magic when he attended a weeklong surfing program in 2017. Today, he joins Team FD seasonally to lead our weeklong programs and make the magic happen for other participants. Originally from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Vista recently settled back home in Denver. Welcome back to the Mile High City, Vista! 

Learn more about Vista through the Q&A below:

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and why?

Climbing found its way to me over 20 years ago as a freshman in college and has been my cultural center as an outdoor enthusiast. It has taken me to places like Greece and Mexico, up 2,000-foot limestone peaks and into the boulder fields of New Zealand. I find that climbing provides an opportunity for me to disconnect from everything and to be fully present. But, if I’m being honest, kayaking is really starting to gain some ground!

Favorite part about your job?

I can’t believe that I get to do what I do. Every single program I run leaves its own impression on me and teaches me something about life and about myself. The relationships that form between staff and between participants are like nothing I see anywhere else, and I feel so lucky to be a part of that.

Favorite program memory?

When on a program earlier this year on the Rogue River, there was an amazing participant who was feeling a bit nervous about the last rapids. The rest of the group had already run the rapid, and we were all gathered at the bottom waiting to cheer on our friend. A minute passed, then two, then five. The anticipation was building, and we began to wonder what was happening just out of sight upstream around the bend. If you don’t know this already, FD is lucky to work with some of the best guides in the world, and this day was no exception. Suddenly, from around the river bend comes our intrepid adventurer friend, paddling like an absolute beast, and directly in front of them, paddling backwards, BACKWARDS in their kayak, was one of our amazing guides. They paddled the entire rapid (and it’s not a short rapid) backwards, guiding our victorious friend down the entire way. The cheers from the group were deafening. It was amazing. Dinner tasted even better that night because of it. 

Fun Fact about yourself:

I worked as a commercial cinematographer for 10 years. 

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

My climbing gear and a musical instrument of some sort.

Name 3 people you’d have over for dinner (dead or alive)?

Bill Hader, Sigmund Freud and Ru Paul. Can you even imagine the conversations?!

Where would your dream vacation be and why?

Patagonia, Chile, with plenty of climbing, kayaking and paragliding. Is it still considered vacation if it spans years? 

Stay tuned for next month’s staff highlight feature to learn more about the magical people from the FD team who make our mission possible!