Staff

Lyndsay Simpkin – Chief Executive Officer

Lyndsay Simpkin, the CEO of Adventure Specialties Trust, and with his wife Glenda,  founded the Trust since its inception in 1984.

He is a member of the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) and holds NZOIA instructor qualifications Alpine 2, Bush 2, Rock 1, Kayak 1, Cave 1, Sea Kayak 1 and Outdoor Safety Management.  He is an assessor for the NZOIA Alpine I, Abseil and Kayak Leader awards.

Lyndsay is a qualified Senior Raft Guide Grade 5 and member of the New Zealand Rafting Association. He has over 25 years experience and has guided on the Tongariro, Wairoa, Rangitaiki, Motu, Clarence and Waimakariri Rivers.

He is a keen sea kayaker and has had considerable experience in leading groups in the coastal environment as well as personal trips around the Northland Coastline and Fiordland. His personal mountain experience includes over 30 ascents of Southern Alps peaks and ascents of all the major North Island peaks.

Other experience also includes leading groups in such activities such as snorkeling, coasteering along rugged sections of Northland coastline, rockclimbing, tramping and bushcraft, caving, orienteering and the use of games and initiatives for personal development. He holds a certificate in “Pre-hospital Emergency Care for Ski Patrollers and Outdoor Recreational Personnel”, the nationally recognised first-aid qualification for ski patrollers.

Lyndsay is qualified to deliver New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association approved Risk Management Courses. He has had two years experience as a part-time tutor in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Course at Manukau Institute of Technology, and five years as a tutor with the Christian Outdoor Recreation Instructor Programme.

In 1997 Lyndsay was awarded the New Zealand Outdoors Instructors Association “Tall Totara” award – Instructor of the Year.

Prior to becoming an Outdoor Instructor Lyndsay trained and worked as a Youth Worker. He has worked for Youth for Christ and in church based youth ministry. He has had considerable experience in leading church based ministry to the community.

Lyndsay and Glenda have two adult sons.

Tim Wills – Chief of Operations

Tim is Chief of Operations at the Trust. Previously Tim has held the positions of Training Coordinator and the Auckland Programme Manager and has worked with the Trust since 1993.

Prior to joining the Trust Tim had extensive experience in the outdoors while at school and university and as a Youth Worker with the Te Ora Hou programme in Christchurch and then as an Instructor with ACTS Institute in Wellington.

Tim has a BA in Geography and has a Diploma in Secondary School Teaching. Tim spent two years in Japan teaching English and climbing.

Tim’s kayaking experience includes descents of many Grade 4 and 5 runs in the North and South Islands. His sea kayaking experience also includes many coastal areas of the upper North Island. He has also rock climbed in most of the major areas in New Zealand and at some overseas locations including Australia, Europe, USA, Thailand and Japan. Tim is also a keen mountaineer and has spent time climbing  in the Southern Alps including the ascent of Mount Cook. He has also had a taste of overseas mountaineering in places such as Nepal, Switzerland and Japan.

Tim is a member of the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA)  and holds NZOIA instructor qualifications Rock 2, Bush 2, Alpine 2, Kayak1 and Sea Kayak 1. He is an assessor for NZOIA for Rock 1, Abseil 1 and Kayak Leader Awards. Tim is a member of the New Zealand Rafting Association and is a Grade 5 Raft Guide and Grade 3 Trip Leader. He is also qualified in “Pre-hospital Emergency Care for Ski Patrollers and Outdoor Recreational Personnel”. Tim is also an assessor for Skills Active in many areas of outdoor education.

As Chief of Operations Tim is responsible for the core operations of Adventure Specialties Trust and oversees the Auckland and Christchurch Operations Managers.

Tim is married to Kim and they have four children.

Jared Partridge – Operations Manager Auckland

Jared has worked at Adventure Specialties Trust in three different capacities.  Beginning as an instructor he brings considerable field experience to his position. Jared has also had the benefit of working for four years in the commercial  field managing an importing business.

Prior to beginning work with Adventure Specialties Trust Jared worked at a number of outdoor education establishments in New Zealand and also with the Capernwray Bible School programme, Upward Bound, in Austria.

Jared has a Bachelor in Sport and Recreation majoring in Management and Marketing and a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership from the Auckland University of Technology. While on the Diploma course he was awarded a prize for the top student.

Jared is a member of the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association and holds NZOIA instructor qualifications Rock 1, Kayak 1, Alpine 1 and a grade 3 Raft Guide. He also has a Certificate in Pre Hospital Emergency Care for Ski Patrollers and Outdoor Recreation personnel.

Jared is a keen kayaker with experience of many of the North Island Grade 4 and 5 runs. He enjoys rock climbing, ski mountaineering and sea kayaking.

Jared is married to Christina and they have two children, Esme and William.

Mark Johnston – Operations Manager Christchurch

Mark worked with Adventure Specialties Trust as an instructor from March 1996 to December 1998 and rejoined the staff in July 2003 to spearhead the development of a branch of Adventure Specialties Trust in Christchurch.

Prior to his involvement with the Trust Mark had extensive involvement in the Scout Association, both as a participant and as a Leader and also leadership experience in a number of Christian youth camps.

Marks previous work experience has been in the horticultural field where he completed an apprenticeship in Horticulture and Amenity Turf Management with the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Mark is a member of the New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association and holds NZOIA instructor qualifications Sea Kayak 2,  Kayak 1, Rock 1 and Alpine 1. He is also qualified in Pre-hospital Emergency Care for Ski Patrollers and Outdoor Recreational Personnel. Mark is a member of the New Zealand Rafting Association and is a Grade 2 Guide.

Mark is a keen tramper, skier, rock climber, mountain biker and kayaker. He has kayaked many rivers in both the North and South Islands and his sea kayaking experience includes the Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman National Park, Bay of Islands, Great Barrier Island, Fiordland and Alaska.

Mark is married to Diana, they have one son named James.

Glenda Simpkin – Finance

She whom we fear when we fail to produce GST receipts! Glenda is co-founder of Adventure Specialties Trust, a current Trustee and is responsible for the day to day accounting needs. Glenda has had her share of adventures and enjoys skiing, caving and sea kayaking. She also enjoys travelling and reading good books!

Marianne Hunt - Office Administrator Auckland

Marianne joined Adventure Specialties Trust in August 2011. Marianne has come with several years of Administrative experience behind her. She has been involved in leadership at her local church since she was old enough. She is passionate about helping young people know and love who they are as individuals. Marianne also loves travelling and dancing. Her brother is James one of our Instructors.

Naomi Geddes– Office Administrator Christchurch

Naomi joined the Trust in October 2010.  She has a background in outdoor education including working in Canada. Naomi has a Bachelor of Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education from CPIT.  Naomi has just come back from several years travelling with her husband Josh. Naomi enjoys being in the outdoors and helping young people reach their potential.

Steffen Poepjes- Instructor

Instructor Steffen joined Adventure Specialties Trust in August 2008. Steffen completed a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation Leadership at the Auckland University of Technology in 2008 where he majored in White Water Kayaking. Steffen holds New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association qualifications in Kayak 1, Rock 1 and Bush 1. He also has an outdoor first aid certificate and has completed a day skipper’s course. Steffen is passionate about the outdoors and in his spare time enjoys white water kayaking, tramping and rock climbing. Steffen is married to Sarah.

Sarah Poepjes- Instructor

Instructor Sarah joined Adventure Specialties Trust in February 2009. Sarah has a BA Hons in Outdoor Adventure with Sports Development gained from the University of Exeter in England. Sarah holds New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association qualifications in Bush 1 and Rock 1. She also has an outdoor first aid certificate and is qualified to act as a day skipper.  Sarah is passionate about working with young people and she loves tramping and kayaking. She plays Lacrosse and likes drinking tea. Sarah met Steffen at Adventure Specialties Trust!

James Hunt – Instructor

James joined the Adventure Specialties Trust team in January 2010. James completed a Certificate in Outdoor Recreation at Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru, where he trained in white water kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, back country skiing and bush craft. James holds a New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association qualification in Rock 1 and has completed a boatmasters and VHF radio course. Prior to joining the Trust James worked for a number of years as a carpenter.  In his spare time James enjoys rock climbing and surfing. He loves the outdoors and believes God made New Zealand with so many amazing places to explore we better get out there and make the most of it.

Anita Sword – Instructor

Anita joined the Adventure Specialties Trust team in January 2010. Anita completed a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation majoring in Outdoor Education at the Auckland University of Technology in 2009, where she specialised in Rock Climbing. She holds New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association qualifications in Rock 1 and Bush 1 as well as an outdoor first aid certificate. Anita is passionate about using the outdoors to help young people become more confident and reach their goals. She also enjoys her sports and has played netball, touch rugby and done martial arts for many years.

Erin Chapman- Instructor

Erin joined the Trust in September 2010. Erin completed a Degree in Sports and Leisure at Waikato University and a Certificate in Adventure Recreation at Christchurch Polytechnic where she trained in white water kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, bush and sea kayak. She holds New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association qualifications in Bush 1 and Sea Kayak Leader. Erin has also done a Day Skippers  and  VHF radio course. Prior to joining the Trust Erin worked for Camp David Adventure Centre. Erin enjoys all outdoor pursuits especially bush, kayaking and caving.

Josh Geddes – Instructor

Josh joined the Trust in October 2010. Josh is a keen climber and has been enjoying the outdoors for most of his life. Prior to getting into outdoor instructing Josh spent 6 years serving in the New Zealand Army. Josh has a Diploma in Adventure Instructing and Guiding as well as New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association Bush 1, Rock 1, Alpine 1 and Sea Kayak Leader awards. Josh spent over a year working at a camp in Ontario, Canada with his wife Naomi.