Five Fun Facts about Andy Balcar, our beloved Christchurch manager!

1. I used to play the Trombone
2. I brew my own beer and recently attempted to make my own beer from all my own home-grown ingredients – I failed
3. I have won 3 x Giant Pumpkin Contests
4. I love riding my bike – especially in the less accessible areas of NZ. I have even played Bike Polo for New Zealand.
5. Mark Johnston (the Safety and Training Manager at Adventure Specialties) and I went to kindy together.

“Current hobbies are biking, rock climbing, skiing (I have recently bought some ski touring gear and hope to get a few days on it this winter), gardening … I strongly dislike painting.

“I did have plans to travel overseas for my 50th but have recently decided I want to Travel more in NZ instead.

“My dad is from England and settled in New Zealand – he was a keen Geographer and loved the outdoors here so was always taking the family on lots of fun adventures – he recently passed, and I have really enjoyed stopping and reflecting on the love of NZ that he has passed onto my brother and I and how I have seen that also in my kids.

“My kids got me back into surfing last summer, and Tarn has gotten me back into climbing when I thought I was well passed it – turns out I am not.

“Dad actually took Mark J and I on an 18-day trip to Queenstown when we were in Year 12 where we did all sorts of fun adventures. (tramped the Milford and Routeburn Tracks, MTB, Climbed up the Remarkables, bungy jumped).

“Looking forward to days in the mountains this year.
Looking forward to my 20th wedding anniversary trip to Rarotonga with my wife.
Looking forward to getting out into the hills with good people.

“A piece of wisdom that I am currently living by – Every day you have is your best day or make the most of it while you have it (especially as I get closer to 50).

“Job title – Christchurch Manager – currently in my 7th Year with Adventure Specialties Trust. Pretty excited with where the Trust is at – with the ongoing development of programmes, we have a great team and a good vison to get there.”

The post Five Fun Facts about Andy, Christchurch manager appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

1. I grew up in a little place called Tasmania, which is where my love of the outdoors really began. Since before I could even walk our family would be found up in the highland lakes of Tassie either out on the boat trying to catch trout or sitting around the campfire trying to dodge the smoke.

2. Throughout my teen years I spent a lot of time riding horses and working at my local riding school, which is ultimately what convinced me I needed a career in the outdoors. Of all the activities I’ve tried over the years, I found horse riding to be one of the most challenging. A kayak for example won’t move unless you (or wind, water etc.) make it. When riding though, you’re working with another creature that feels the same emotions you do. Sometimes they’ll get scared and dart around, other times they may be tired or they may even decide that they’re just in the mood to go for it!

3. I moved to New Zealand when I was 19. Having already spent a year instructing in Tassie and well and truly having caught the outdoors bug, I packed my bags and headed to Auckland to study outdoor ed at AUT.

4. I LOVE learning. It’s probably this that’s led me to dabble in so many different outdoor pursuits. As a result, I’m more of a jack of all trades and master of none kind of guy. When I’m not out in the wilderness you’ll probably find me trying to fix my own car, cooking up a storm, or otherwise trying to learn something new.

5. I also LOVE music. Listening to it anyway, I’ve never been that great at playing it. Whilst I definitely have some genres I prefer, there probably isn’t one out there that I can’t appreciate in some way.

The post Five Fun Facts about Instructor Pete appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

Anita is our amazing Operations Assistant in Auckland (and previously an outdoor instructor). Here is more about Anita in her own words:

“I first trained at AUT in the late 2000’s doing a Bachelor of Sport & Recreation with a major in Outdoor Education. This helped me towards my first job, an outdoor instructor right here at Adventure Specialties Trust!

“After working as an outdoor instructor for a couple of years I was unexpectedly diagnosed with a heart condition. I now have a cardiac pacemaker that gives my heart a bit of a jumpstart when its not doing its job properly. Artificial pacemakers were a relatively new thing in the medical world; when I had my first one implanted they hadn’t even been used as treatment in New Zealand for 50 years yet!

“Living with a heart condition forced me to redirect my career from the outdoors; I stayed in the education field and went from working mostly in outdoor education to early childhood education. I am now a qualified Early Childhood Teacher too. I work at a local preschool alongside my mahi at AST.

“There’s a running joke at Adventure Specialties that working here is a bit like Hotel California – you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. That is true for many staff who have worked for the Trust multiple times in various roles since it’s inception in 1984. I’m proud to say I’m part of that club! 6 1/2 years after resigning from my outdoor instructor role on medical grounds, I rejoined the Trust as the Auckland Operations Assistant in an office based role.

“My involvement with a wide range of clients during my instructing years and now teaching a bi-cultural curriculum in early childhood settings (as well as having māori cousins, uncle and brother-in-law) inspired me to learn te reo māori me tikanga māori. I went to night school at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa for a few years to gain understanding, upskill my knowledge, and immerse myself in te ao māori. I’m far from fluent but I can understand a bit more than kia ora nowadays.”

The post INTRODUCING ANITA! appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

INTRODUCING ANNA! One of our new outdoor instructors in the Christchurch office.
Here’s what Anna has to say about herself:

I am from the beautiful town of Waihi Beach in the North Island

I worked a ski season in Alberta, Canada. I fell into a tree well on my first day of being there! Pro tip for any kiwis who are not used to seeing the amount of snow that can cover pine trees: don’t run through a field of them after a big dump of snow

I studied PPE (philosophy, politics, and economics) and Energy Science (the physics behind renewable energies, mainly based around thermal dynamics and maths) at Otago Uni. I loved studying in the two seemly opposing departments of arts and science as it highlighted to me how everything is connected to each other and therefore connected to nature, and is what inspired me to get a job that connects people with the outdoors!

I have been a surf instructor in Northland and a snowboard instructor in Wanaka

I love ducks

I am stoked to be a part of the AST whānau this year!

Thanks Anna! So cool to have you as part of the team.

Does anyone have any questions or comments for Anna? (Prize for the most interesting question!)

The post Introducing Anna – Christchurch outdoor instructor appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

INTRODUCING JOE: One of our outdoor instructors who has recently jumped ship from Christchurch to Auckland. Here are five facts about Joe:

“1. From my first game of canoe polo, back in 2012, I have been playing non-stop (except for one season due to injury and one due to COVID). I Represented New Zealand in the Oceania Champs twice, one as a U21 rep, the other in the Mens B team. A great way to travel the country and spend all your hard earned savings is by playing in the NZ National league. I represented Christchurch for 5ish years, only recently switching the red sports polo [Christchurch colours] with a blue one [Auckland].

“2. An important value of mine is Respect. For people and for place. One way I show this respect for place is by trying to minimise my impact on the environment. I choose a plant-based diet, mostly vegan, except for the occasional venison from a brother’s hunt or kahawai caught during this year’s staff retreat. (Aside from the fish we caught, the staff retreat was completely vegan, because I planned the menu).

“3. For many years, I survived in Christchurch without a vehicle, eventually deciding last year to go electric as sometimes you just need roof racks! However, I couldn’t sleep in a Nissan Leaf, so moving to Auckland consisted of compromising and switching to a hybrid van that ever so slowly is been transformed into a camper. But currently, if you move all my stuff out of the way, it is sleepable!

“4. Community living has been my jam. Prior to moving to Auckland, I spent four years living with 10+ folk on similar faith journeys, exploring what it looks like to follow in Jesus’ footsteps in the local neighbourhood!

“5. Currently, as I am writing this, I am eyeing up my new favourite book, Dune, waiting for the moment I’m done so I can pick it back up. Pretty exciting, isolation living, eh! My favourite book is always the one I’m currently reading. But, besides Dune, Victoria Loorz’s “Church of the Wild” is hands-down a must-read. “Church of the Wild” uncovers the wild roots of faith and helps us deepen our commitments to a suffering earth by falling in love with it, and calling it church.”

The post Introducing Joe: Auckland outdoor instructor appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

FAREWELL INSTRUCTOR Anna Cunningham!

Everyone had a LOT to say about you …

Glenda Simpkin:

Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.’ – Maya Angelou

It was a real privilege working with you Anna. You shine inside and out. There were always lots of laughs when you were in the office. I wish you all Gods good blessings in your next adventures.

Lots of luv and hugs, Glenda

Tom Batts:

“On to more adventures! Remember to maintain a healthy distance from the edge of anything when exercising your urges to trip over things. Looking forward to climbing and now paragliding with ya!”

Jaci Skelton:

Everybody needs an Anna . I am inspired by the way you do life and your sense of adventure. You help us oldies feeling young, even if we have to keep reminding you to ring home and check in with the parents . I know my boys loved meeting you (and the other AST wahine) at Retreat and seeing that girls can be epic in the outdoors too. I have no doubt you’ve left a mark on everyone person who crossed your path during programmes. You will be missed but I look forward to seeing what’s ahead for you and #vanlife. Xx

Andy:

“Anna, it has been great getting to know you and having you down in Christchurch on occasion. I have enjoyed sharing heaps of laughs with you over so many different things. Thanks for your contribution in CHCH, keep charging and all the best for the future.”

Anita Sword:

“Anna! I’m going to miss our office yarns about tiny houses, joking about us short people who can sleep sideways in your van and hearing about your cool surfing adventures. I’m super impressed by your energy to go surfing before work and still be upbeat and positive all day. All the best for this next phase of life and remember you’re always part of the AST whanau so pop in any time to say hello.”

Tim Wills:

“It’s sad to see Anna leave us after 4 years of her inspiring others. Her bubbly personality and “froth” for life has always been contagious to her clients and staff team. Anna is a true adventurer and can’t sit still, always wanting to see what’s around the next corner. So we do wish her all the best as she moves on from here to check out “what’s around that corner”! We know you’ll be back Anna, as once you start at Adventure Specialties you can never really leave!”

Hanna McLeay:

“Anna is legendary. So easy to work with. She has the knack for working with students. Always positive and happy. Just easy to be around.”

Joel Buckley:

“Even the Cloudy days seem to be happy experiences with your high level of stoke and positive mentality! Nothing more than good times and impressive performances, legendary!!”

Kerryn Rothery:

“Anna, we have enjoyed your company, your friendship and your kind heart. I admire your free spirit, strong will to do anything you set your mind to and laid back/easy going outlook. Miss you already…”

Joseph Scott:

“She will be missed.”

Mark:

“Thanks for a great journey with us you have come so far from when you arrived as an intern. Your skills as an instructor will be missed, But thing thing I will miss is your keenness for a mission. Go well and hopefully we will see you around the office in Christchurch gearing up for one of those missions!”

Grace Robertson:

[In response to the question, do you want to add anything to Anna’s farewell message] “Just as long as there’s something about how’s she’s an absolute sender “

Oli George:

“Hey, yea just add that I loved her company and our yarns even though we didn’t really get to spend much time working together and that she will be missed.”

Anneke Bee:

“All the best Anna, it has been wonderful meeting you and getting to know you better when you got stuck with us in the South Island!”

The post Farewell Instructor Anna! appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

INTRODUCING: Caitlin, one of our new Auckland instructors!

Here are Five Fun Facts about Caitlin …

1. “I learned how to sail before I learned how to ride a bike! My uncle taught me in the Hauraki Gulf [of Auckland]. I’ve visited almost every single island in the Hauraki, and I reckon that I know it so well that you could plonk me down anywhere inside it and I would know where I was.”

2. “I row competitively. Singles, doubles and eights. Over the next few months, I will be competing in the North Island Club Champs and New Zealand Nationals.” [Caitlin is too modest to add that her current personal best time sees her on track for potentially winning a gold medal in her grade!] “I started rowing in Year 9, stopped for a while, rowed at AUT, and now row for West End Rowing Club in west Auckland.”

3. “After studying Outdoor Education at AUT, I’ve worked for five different outdoor adventure companies plus a couple of schools. My favourite trip was a bush hike to Speargrass Hut [in Nelson Lakes National Park]. There were epic views and the grass was literally as high as my shoulders!”

4. “I love coffee. A lot. I have an Aeropress (a portable espresso machine) that I take on every wilderness adventure with me.”

5. “One of my best memories was doing a survival course with a group of year 13 students. I spent some time chatting with one girl about what it is like working as an outdoor instructor. Then, a couple of years later, I bumped into her and found out that she had decided to study outdoor education after talking with me. Before that, she thought that it was a job just for men. So I was stoked to hear that I had helped her to see that it was possible for her too.”

The post INTRODUCING: Caitlin! One of our new Auckland instructors appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

Five Fun Facts about Kyle:

1. I proposed to my wife, Christina, with a ring that I made from a Singapore dollar coin. I spent about 7 months slowly working at it when I had time and all I used was a hammer, drill and a rat’s tail file. The cool part about this was that I spent ages trying to work out how I could make a ring with no official jewellery tools before I stumbled across a way to make a ring out of a coin. The very next day, Christina was given a bag of old foreign coins at work, and she asked me if I wanted them. God works in amazing ways as I don’t collect coins and she had no idea about my plans of making a ring.

2. When I’m not at work instructing Outdoor pursuits, my main hobby is Windsurfing. I got into the sport when I was 14 and have been watching the weather for the next big storm ever since.

3. I also really enjoy rock climbing. Although its cool to find your limit as to how hard you can climb, I really enjoy the easy climbs. Weirdly enough, I really enjoy the rope systems, forward thinking and problem solving like when you set up a belay and have to think about the possibilities of what you might have to do while seconding and how you will deal with it, where everything will go to keep the belay station tidy and functional etc.

4. I’ve spent most of my life living on Waiheke Island. I’ve spent the last 14 years commuting daily from the island to various parts of Auckland for High School, University, Sports and Work. That’s actually how I met my wife as she was working in the café on the ferry. I have only just moved off the island, and the hustle and bustle of Auckland is a struggle to get use to….. and we are still in lock down!!

5. When I was five years old, I really wanted to name my younger brother Hercules. That’s not what they named him and little five-year-old me was disappointed. My wife found this out when we were getting a cat and decided to name him Hercules to make my five-year-old dream come true.

Kyle is one of our outdoor adventure instructors based in Auckland. He has been working for Adventure Specialties Trust for 3 years and has NZOIA qualifications in rock climbing, bush, and sea kayaking.

The post Five Fun Facts about Kyle appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.