Matt Harris

Matt Harris lives and breathes the big outdoors. He’s also learning a lot about what he loves best – outdoor adventure sport and sharing that appreciation with others.

At university, Matt is studying Outdoor Recreational Leadership.  Once he’s graduated,   he intends to put his theoretical and practical skills to good use safely teaching others the thrills of outdoor sport.

Already, he’s assisting teaching people of all ages and abilities rock-climbing, white water kayaking and mountain biking in New Zealand’s outstanding natural terrain. His clients come in all shapes and sizes, from high school groups, special-needs children, ‘kids at risk’ and women’s groups to a special programme for the elderly known as ‘GOLD’ (Getting Old Living Dangerously).

“It’s amazing what these people get from their experiences”, says Matt. “Along with a strong sense of adventure, they learn teamwork, trust and confidence and they often make a bunch of new friends. It’s personally rewarding for them and also for me, as their trainer.”  

Matt is already a New Zealand representative mountain biker; no mean feat in a country where 17% of the population own a mountain bike. But he’s not satisfied with that. He wants to master every type of outdoor pursuit training, whether it’s on white water, snow, deep in the bush or high up a mountain rock face.