Sponsorship

Southern Approach sponsors some of New Zealand's top climbers and skiers, see profiles below for details.

We are not only interested in individual sponsorship but expeditions also.

If your looking for sponsorship we would be interested in hearing from you. We receive frequent requests for sponsorship and always review what we receive. Please phone Ali in the office on 03 9400957 if you are thinking of enquiring about sponsorship.

Sponsored Athletes

Roy Schott - Ski Fanatic - Black Diamond

After a season in Canada, we’re looking forward to having Roy back in Aotearoa to represent Black Diamond again in 2011 !Roy grew up in Methven a small farming/ski town at the base of Mt Hutt in the heart of Canterbury. With his dad being a ski instructor he started skiing early in life and has been doing so ever since. As a young kid he started out in ski racing but with no patience for training and a lust for powder moved quickly into freeskiing. Recently Roy has been competing in Big Mountain skiing events around the South Island and hopes to try his luck competing overseas. Roy now works as a ski tech in Methven and can be seen freeriding at his home mountain and around the Canterbury club fields. His major aspiration is to perfect what he is good at, competing in freeski and big mountain comps!

Tom Southen - Ski Fanatic - Black Diamond

After a season in Canada, we’re looking forward to having Tom back with our ski team and watching him in awe this winter 2011! Tom Southen is a Canterbury lad currently in his final year at St Andrews College. He is a strong skier who loves competition! He is representing Black Diamond this year, with his favourite ski being the Verdict. He enjoys big mountain and backcountry skiing. This year he will be competing in the Chill series, Junior Nationals and the NZ Open, to name a few!

Competitions he has competed in last season are (2008) school ski team junior nationals’ and the Chill series (placed 4th behind Jeff Small, Tom Dunbar and Fraser McDougall)

Tom enjoys competing and aims to become a professional ski athlete, adventure guide and ski instructor.

Dougal Allan - Multisport Athlete - Osprey

Dougal Allan is a multisport athlete based in Wanaka. He has an Honours degree in Physical Education (Otago) and has been competing to a high level in multisport and adventure racing since 2006. In this time he has won many of New Zealand’s toughest races including the Goldrush, Coast to Coast (2-day), Peak 2 Peak, Wild Moa and Southern Traverse (24 Hour). At just 24 years of age, he has plenty of time to achieve his goals in the sport and he is proud to have the Osprey team as an important part of the journey! http://www.dougalallan.co.nz/

Pat Deavoll - Climber - Black Diamond

Nickname(s): Pat

Date of Birth: 12th June 1959

Year you first started climbing: 1976

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of: This is tough, but maybe, in no particular order…… • My first ascents in Asia- no one peak has priority over the others. • Doing Deprivation on the North Buttress of Mt Hunter in a 52 hour round trip • Maybe my hardest rock climb, the first ascent of Intifada (29) – took me two years to climb it! Im the wrong shape for a rock climber! Or maybe some of my more committing waterfall ice climbs in Canada. Or maybe climbing with in Afghanistan with my sister last year …. cant decide!

Favourite climbing area: Central Asia- Karakoram and Hindu Kush

What’s your dream trip? I really want to go and climb in the Eastern Karakoram region of India, which is slowly being opened up to climbers. But the walk in can take up to ten days, the peak permits are an exorbitant price…all up its beyond what im financially capable.

I also want to climb a mountain called Kampire Dior (7013m) in Northern Pakistan; very beautiful, very remote, also a very long walk in.

Guilty pleasure? A dry Reisling.

Something that annoys you when you are climbing: Uncommitted climbing partners.

Who/what inspires you when you are climbing: These days it’s the adventure of the travel in reaching the mountain as much as the climb itself. British climber Mick Fowler inspires me more than anyone else- hes still one of the top climbers in the world at 55, has a superb eye for a route and a fantastic record of extracting success out of the toughest situation. I also really admire Steve House for the way he has committed his life to climbing.

What’s on your iPod? Sadly I don’t have one.

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up: Calcutta Railway Station

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: A book, a book, a book.

Superstitions: Ummm…not sure I have any. But I absolutely cant leave for an expedition without giving my cat a huge cuddle.

What’s your dream job? To be a famous artist, produce beautiful paintings and sell them for exorbitant amounts of money.

Anything else you want to say about yourself: I couldn’t do any of the climbing I do without the support of my sponsors!

She has her own blog site: www.patdeavoll.co.nz  where accounts of her expeditions can be read.

Tim Taylor-GoPro Sponsored Paddler

Nickname(s): Timmah or Toolman

Date of Birth: 16/8/86

Year you first started paddling: 2000

Three paddling achievements you are most proud of:

• Making selection for the NZ Junior Whitewater Slalom Team 2003 • After 10 years of procrastination and avoidance, finally running a grade 5+ section of whitewater call The Abyss on the Mangakarangoranga River (BOP). • Taking the plunge and committing to my lifelong dream of paddling around NZ.

Favourite paddling area: New Zealand – we have so many different environments and they are all equally amazing and beautiful for their own reasons

What’s your dream trip? – an entire summer, with no commitments and deadlines, to explore Fiordland.

Guilty pleasure? Whittakers macadamia chocolate

Something that annoys you when you are paddling: no sea kayak yet invented has a comfortable seat!

Who/what inspires you when you are paddling: I don’t need inspiration to go paddling…I just go

What’s on your iPod? I don’t use an ipod because your hearing is a critical sense when on any type of water

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up: on a beach in Greece

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: one of my sisters mix Cd’s, Pineapple Lumps, a sense of adventure

Superstitions: always let the first fish go, and the 2nd wave is always going to be bigger than the 1st

What’s your dream job? Something that allows me to get out into the outdoors, share my adventures with others, and has enough work to keep me employed year round.

Anything else you want to say about yourself:

basically I’m the sort of bloke who gets things done…if I say I’m going to do it, I will. Chur.

Follow Tim’s adventure on www.nzkayaker.com/

Tom Matthews - GoPro Sponsored Downhill rider

Name: Tom Matthews

Nickname(s): Tmatts

Date of Birth: 24.08.91

Year you first started riding: 2006

Three riding achievements you are most proud of: • 7th Pro Oceaina Championships • 4th Pro oz en osiains sprint cup • 1st win in a local race in nelson back in 07

Favourite area to ride: Morzine, France

What’s your dream trip? An entire worldcup season.

Guilty pleasure? Girls.

Something that annoys you when you are ride: slowness

Who/what inspires you when you ride: Winning

What’s on your iPod? Bit of everything

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up: im not a big drinker

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: Bike , money and jetskis

Superstitions: none

What’s your dream job? Professional Downhill Racer

Anything else you want to say about yourself: swinging!

Jackson Wells-Sponosored Skier/Skater

Nickname(s): Wacko/Jacko

Date of Birth: 21/04/98

Year you first started skiing/boarding: 2001

Three ski/board achievements you are most proud of: 2011 NZ Junior Nationals Overall 1st place. Whistler Cup Kombi Ski Race 1st Place. Gatorade Free Flow Tour 1st in Half-Pipe and 1st in Rail Jam.

Favourite area to ski/ride: Cardrona Alpine Resort

What’s your dream trip?

Guilty pleasure?

Something that annoys you when you are skiing/boarding: Getting cut off by another skier or boarder.

Who/what inspires you when you are skiing/boarding:

What’s on your iPod? Aloe Blacc C.R.E.A.M Remix. T.I, Dr Dre.

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up:

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: Skateboard. Ipod.

Superstitions: N/A. I’m not superstitious.

What’s your dream job? Professional Skier.

Beau-James Wells-Sponosored Skier/Skater

Date of Birth: 17th November 1995

Year you first started skiing/boarding: 1998

Three ski/board achievements you are most proud: 2011: 1st Overall Jr Nationals U17 2010: 7th Junior World Freeski Champs. Halfpipe

Favourite area to ski/ride: Cardrona Alpine Resort

What’s your dream trip? Paris

Guilty pleasure?

Something that annoys you when you are skiing/boarding: People smoking in the lift lines

Who/what inspires you when you are skiing/boarding: Tom Wallich, Phil Casabon

What’s on your iPod? Def Leppard

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up: America on the first night

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: iPod, Computer, Bible

Superstitions: None

Brand Ambassadors

Stuart Kurth 

Stu has been climbing for 13 years, with bouldering taking up the lion’s share of that time. He’s traveled to the USA, parts of Asia as well as the UK to compete.

Accomplishments include the first ascent of ‘Little Book of Calm’ (V12, Flock Hill), 3rd ascent of ‘Archille’s Last Stand’ (V12, Spittle Hill), winning several National Bouldering Series events, and ‘Built to Last’ (29, Froggat Edge).

If Stu’s not busy enough training to send a V14 problem and taking on ‘Angel of Pain’, 32, (both at Castle Hill), he’s writing, film making and snapping shots wherever he goes. http://stuartkurth.com/site/

Scott Walker

A mountain bike racer by background, Scott got hooked into climbing after being shown the bounties at Payne’s Ford. This led to an Outdoor Leadership Course, and soon to be a career of encouraging others into the amazing wilderness we all love so much.

Scott became a ski-bum after tasting the snow at Rainbow in the 90’s – patrolling for several seasons ensued and before you know it, BC, Canada comes calling!

Upon returning to NZ, he began heliski guiding and hasn’t really looked back.

Jamie Vinton-Boot

Jamie Vinton-Boot, aka Stuntman, has been referred to as an up and coming mountaineer but prefers to think of himself as an alpinist. Recently he has established several committing alpine first ascents with various climbing partners, confirming his position at the forefront of alpine climbing in New Zealand. Jamie has been climbing rocks and mountains for over 10 years, both in New Zealand and overseas. He is infamous for possessing a level of fitness and technical ability not dissimilar to a mountain goat, particularly on challenging terrain. His main ambition is to establish committing and technical first ascents in the mountains. Jamie’s passion for alpine climbing comes from a strong desire to go beyond his comfort zone and fully experience the mental and physical challenges offered by mountain environments.  In this way he aims to push the standard of alpine climbing in New Zealand and inspire the next generation of kiwi alpinists. http://jamievintonboot.wordpress.com/

Kieran Bennett - GoPro Brand Ambassador - Downhill MTB'er

Nickname: KB

Date of Birth: 1.12.87

Year you first started riding: about the same time I started walking I think!

Three riding achievements you are most proud of: • 2008 Oceania Elite Downhill champ • 13th world downhill championships 2008 • Two US national downhill series wins

Favourite area to ride: Hard to choose! Ive been all over the world and New Zealand definitely has some of the best riding but I think Whistler for all round awesomeness!

What’s your dream trip? Another year racing the full world cup series

Guilty pleasure? Chocolate milk and Speights, not at the same time though!

Something that annoys you when you are ride: getting dirt stuck inside my goggles!

Who/what inspires you when you ride: I think I get inspired by a deep passion to keep pushing myself to be faster on my bike

What’s on your iPod? Bad Religion, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, lots of old music

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up: Under a kitchen table in whistler with a pair of jeans on that I didnt have on when I went out!

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: bike, I pod, a big limit on my visa card!

Superstitions: nothing on the bike but I wont walk under ladders!

What’s your dream job? Owning a successful downhill race team

Jamie Prebble - GoPro Brand Ambassador - SKI Racing

Nickname(s): Tito, JP

Date of Birth: 28/ 05/ 1991

Year you first started skiing/boarding: age 4 at Mt Cheesman

Three ski/board achievements you are most proud of: • 3rd Big Sky Montana, Super G 2011 • 2nd Cardrona FIS Giant Slalom • 3rd place in the NZ Open nationals 2011 in both the Slalom and Super G.

Goal: Top 30 Sochi Olympics 2014

Favourite area to ski/ride: Home mountain - Mt Hutt

What’s your dream trip? Somewhere where you can ski fresh powder in the morning and then in the afternoon relax at the beach in a nice 30 degrees. (This place does exist….somewhere…)

Guilty pleasure?

Something that annoys you when you are skiing/boarding: Long lift lines and busy slopes.

Who/what inspires you when you are skiing/boarding: The endless target of becoming faster and faster. The freedom skiing enables you to reach.

What’s on your iPod? A large range of songs from Florence + the Machine, to U2.

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up:

Well more of a event not a place….. Driving back from a race at around 2am in Colorado USA, was riding shotgun fast asleep. Get woken up with my coach slamming on the brakes, yelling hold on. Two moose are standing in the middle of road, he manages to narrowly avoid them while both the van and the trailer slide all over the snowy road. Quite a wake up!

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: Ipod, food, and a companion

Superstitions: At the end of a rainbow is a pot of gold= never stop chasing.

What’s your dream job? Freedom, limited hours, huge salary, endless holidays.

Anything else you want to say about yourself: Currently also studying Commerce at University of Canterbury.

Dean Staples-Black Diamond Brand Ambassador

Name: Dean Staples

Nickname(s): Deano

Date of Birth: 24 04 1964

Year you first started climbing: 1980

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of: • Becoming the first New Zealander to summit Mt Everest from both North and South sides. • My first climb of the south face of douglas • El Cap

Favourite climbing area: Kalymnos

What’s your dream trip? Climbing and Skiing from a yatch on the Antarctic Peninsula

Guilty pleasure? Beer, coffee and whiskey

Something that annoys you when you are climbing: Snakes

Who/what inspires you when you are climbing: Lydia

What’s on your iPod? Action Movies

Strangest place you’ve ever woken up: In a Crevasse on top of Mt Hicks, that’s the strangest I’ll tell anyway

Three things you’d never roadtrip without: Beer, coffee and whiskey

Superstitions: Phoning home from the summit.

What’s your dream job? I’m doing It

Anything else you want to say about yourself: I still have a passon for the mountains and climbing weather it’s a guiding trip to the west coast or high in the Himalaya or rock climbing in Kalymnos to be in the mountians and having fun.