Ben is one of New Zealands best kayak instructors and has had years of experience working for the NZ Kayak School in Murchison. When he is not instructing you will most likely find him on the West Coast lugging his kayak or flying above heading into the Southern Alps for a day or more of amazing kayaking. As well as a top instructor Ben has first descents from exploratory missions all over the place and I know there are more to come! Ben is also no stranger to the video camera and has put together a bunch of cool short films for various projects. Ben loves the technical, steep, continuous types of rivers but has also been seen running some big drops too and is always a solid paddling team mate! If you want proof of this check out his blogwww.jacksonoutdoors.blogspot.com and you will see what I'm talking about! Cheers
JOSH NEILSON
Josh Neilson is one of the nicer paddlers you’re likely meet in an eddy anywhere. Born and raised in the “Bay” in New Zealand’s North Island he is a regular on many of the runs that litter the central north. Accomplished in all facets of whitewater kayaking Josh is equally at home in the steep’s of the South Island West Coast as he is on any number of the big wave’s dotted around the globe. As the brain child behind Southern Underground Productions Josh spends his fair share of time behind the camera and buried in the editing suite. His kayak films strike a different tune to your standard kayak porn flicks that litter the industry. Check out his up coming film on recent travels through Nepal as he documents the trials and tribulations of Nepali women as they learn the in’s and out’s of the whitewater industry.
LOU URWIN
Lou is one of the most kick ass people on this globe, if you dream of a sexy kayaking female that can rip it on a wave and Huck her meat like a beast on the gnarl well here she is. She has a bubbly personality and a laugh that will make even the dullest times seem great. When there is a party that is in need of a few Margaritas, Singstar or just a PIMP costume Lou is the person to pull through. All this said and done she is one of the best paddling females on the planet and represents Aotearoa like no other, she will do any thing to help you out, whether you are looking down deaths road in a sieve or your Margarita glass is just empty Lou will be there with her River Pro to save your ass. So if you see Lou out there and think she is worth your time feel free to drop her your number, although her boy friend Tyler might trash you up she is just a cool person to spend time with.
BRENDAN BAYLY
Brendan started kayaking in 2002 and was soon pushing the boundaries of kayaking any way he could. Once he knew what we has doing there was no stopping him. If there is a new creek to be run hes there, and if its big hes probably already run it! I dont think you can meet an more down to earth and mellow person out there! Hes been around the world kayaking but loves his flood run Kaimai sessions and west coast trips down here in NZ just as much! 2011 is going to be a big year for B so watch this space!
TYLER FOX
Tyler is our first international whitewater Team H member all the way from Canada. Tyler spends half the year on the mission overseas and his southern hemispheres down here in NZ on the Kaituna river. With numerous expeditions from all over the world under his belt and a number of kayak films produced we are stoked to have Tyler on board and I know he has a sweet year ahead with racing, filming and epic creeking too!
TEAM NIKE
Team Nike, acclaimed as the World’s most successful Adventure Racing Team in the history of the sport, with wins in essentially every major international and US event on the calendar. Team Nike’s accomplishments include an unprecedented eight podium finishes and four wins in the Eco-Challenge, four victories in the Primal Quest, wins in the Raid Gauloises, the Raid World Championships, the Outdoor Quest, the Southern Traverse, Balance Bar 24 hour series, Balance Bar Sprint, Ford Gorge Games, Ford Adventure Games, Teva Games, ESPN X-Games and the Adventure Racing World Championships. Individually, or as a team, they have won World Championships or hold World Records in Mountain Biking, X-terra Triathlon, the Rogaining (24 hour Orienteering) World Championships, the Raid World Championships and the Adventure Racing World Championships. No other team in the world has had the level of success or consistency of Team Nike, and none have sustained such longevity. The team’s roots were formed in the late 80’s and evolved through the 90’s from Team Eco-Internet, Team Vail and their various incarnations. Long term members of Team Nike, Mike Kloser and Michael Tobin, are excited about the recent additions of team members, Monique Merrill and Sari Anderson. With this powerhouse lineup, Team Nike is looking to add to their already impressive list of accomplishments. Profile sourced from their team page Team Nike
TIM TAYLOR
Tim is a young New Zealander with a passion for the outdoors, exploration and the environment. From a young age he has loved the outdoors and this has lead him to his latest adventure. During 2010 and 2011 Tim will attempt to be the first person to ever paddle the entire way round New Zealand in one continuous go! This is a huge challenge and we wish him the best of luck! You can follow Tim's trip on www.nzkayaker.com
Aaron and Russell - Circumnavigation of Brittan Expedition
