The Team

DOB: 02/03/1987 Born and raised: Hamilton, New Zealand

Travis is currently in his third season with Ultimate Hikes guiding clients on the world famous Milford Track, last winter he worked in Fiji as Project Director on a new eco/cultural hike on the northern island of Vanua Levu and also has a background in organizing events.

Travis has formerly competed in national level swimming, taken part in 24 hour adventure races, several multisport events and once managed a 100km run. He is looking forward to the physical challenge of support riding and also to the technical and mechanical requirements involved in maintaining and servicing the Seadoos along the way. Extremely excited about the Ultimate Ride and viewing it as the adventure of a lifetime, Travis can't wait to lend his hand to promoting this worthy cancer cause and helping to make history with a world record attempt.

Jed had to make his sailing take back seat for a couple of years in order to allow him to concentrate on his studies, he has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering honours degree from the University of Auckland. Jed is currently working as a civil engineer for Silverdale based company Hiway Stabilizers.

While browsing the internet one afternoon Jed came across an ad requesting interested people to join the Ride. At that time Jed had recently faced seeing his partner Aleisha's mother lose a long battle with cancer, and had also lost his grandad to the same disease at a young age. So when Jed saw the cause behind the event he was instantly eager to come aboard.

At the age of 22 Jed is the youngest of the support riders although he feels he has a broad range of experience and determination to offer the team. Jed is looking forward to spreading the word on cancer prevention and raising funds along the way.

After the boxing stint, Oto decided to try something different and decided to trial in kickboxing. He quickly adapted to the sport and won the national kickboxing championship in his rookie year, becoming one of the best amateur boxers in the nation. Oto also expanded his family's small boat repair trade into a full scale private boat service and shop firm. Growing obligations forced him to retire from professional sports and commit to entrepreneurship. His commitment to work made him a very reputable marine mechanic and earned him an official Sea Doo dealership and servicing rights in Croatia.

But despite the busy line of work, Oto still found a way to quench his thirst for adrenaline, challenge and adventure. After venturing into quad bike and watercraft services, he quickly grew fond of both, eventually deciding to try beating the Guinness watercraft endurance record for a day of riding. He succeeded in June of 2009.

Today, Oto successfully owns and operates his business, but also contemplates what his next big challenge and adventure will be.

Born in Cork, Ireland and father of one son Adam, now 14, with a background in IT and Telecoms

A keen sailor, jet skier, power boater and deep sea fisherman with 20 years of nautical experience. General Petrol head with a sense of adventure and general can do attitude.

Adrian was the operations manager for Earthrace from 2007 -2009 and was part of both world record attempts with Earthrace . Earthrace set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, running 100% renewable biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbon footprint.

The bespoke Earthrace boat started the race on 27 April 2008 from Sagunto in Spain, breaking the world record in just 60 days 23 hours and 49 minutes, knocking almost 14 days off the previous record, held for ten years. The distance traveled was almost 24,000 nautical miles, fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of, and draw global attention to, the potential for alternative fuel sources.

As Operations Manager, Adrian joined a ground crew team of three, travelling ahead of the boat to all 12 port stops around the world to manage logistics, media, fuel and customs. Prior to the race start, Adrian was based in Valencia, Spain, to oversee a full refit of the boat, recruit and manage a team of twenty, liaise with contractors, suppliers and sponsors, and project manage all race preparations, on time and on budget.

George has a background in Engineering, having worked as a Building Engineer, Renewables Technology Engineer, Lecturer at Coventry University running powerboat design final year projects and designed everything from Wind Turbine blades, Airbus parts, Marcos Mantis and Porsche 996 Race cars, Triumph Daytona race bikes, to name but a few. George currently lives and works on the Isle of Wight as a Finite Element Analysis engineer, and is also the head of composites on the Quicksilver Water Speed Record project.

The causes behind the London-Sydney ride are very close to George’s heart, he having lost close friends at school and his grandfather to cancer. As head of ground crew, George will be hustling the jet skis along, supporting the crew and mechanics all the way through Europe, driving the crew car and trailer with spare jetskis, as well as doing a couple of cameos riding.

Garry sees his involvement in this adventure as one more highlight in his life, and brings to the Ultimate Ride a desire and willingness to fully support the riders in this amazing adventure and good cause.

Garry too has lost friends and family to different forms of cancer over the past three years. If participating in this ride promotes awareness and saves lives, then we have achieved what the Ultimate Ride has set out to achieve. We are also going to have fun on the way.

2 years House Surgeon Auckland Hospitals, including Dip Obsterics and Gynaecology.
2yrs Police Surgeon.
Hyperbaric Medicine course completed Auckland have interest in Diving medicine.
20+ years General Practice on Aucklands North Shore, and relief work in the Chatham Islands over recent years.
Family Medicine ranging from neonates to geriatrics, and with a special interest in Minor Surgery including vasectomy, mole removal and snoring surgery.

Happily married 23yrs to Eleanor, three children, lives on Aucklands North Shore.
Pastimes :Fishing , diving, tramping, skiing, travel

Resides : Greenhithe, North Shore City, Auckland, NZ
Tertiary: New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Civil)
Passions: Motorsport, yachting, fishing, watersking.

Mark holds the position of Managing Director, Hick Bros Group of Companies based at their head office in Silverdale north of Auckland. The Hick Bros Group are a large privately owned group of companies specializing in all facets of major land development projects spreading the entire length of New Zealand.

When he's not at work, you'll find him either behind the wheel of a high performance racecar or on the high seas chasing game fish! Mark has an absolute passion for working hard and playing hard, especially when the play hard bit is in support of a worthy cause, his catch phrase of "its just good stuff" is what "The Ultimate Ride Expedition" is all about.

He has never looked back from this change and co owned New Zealands Largest Sea Doo dealership for five years before branching off to start his current business "Ski M.D." in Takanini which services and repairs all brands but specializes in the maintenance and performance modification of Sea Doo four stroke craft.

Kevin believes Jeremy's choice of craft as the only logical choice for this expedition and the team that is being assembled to pull of this mission are in for a character building time.

"I certainly see the challenge of supporting this mission as a privilege and as someone who works out in the elements every day, the sunsmart message is worthy of backing."

He is a veteran from two campaigns for the America's Cup (in Perth and San Diego), helped record breakers such as Earth Race and Swashbucklers, and continues to look after weather forecasts for sailors cruising around the South Pacific.

As MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt has been in Auckland since 1992 focusing on promoting friendly relations with weather users. This involves communicating an awareness about incoming weather events, keeping an eye on the impact of weather on any special events and on the coming season, and arranging MetService promotions, displays, and exhibitions

Married to Julia for over 18 years Chris has two children – Zoe & Jackson. Chris is interested in all sports but has a passion for Rugby & Water Polo. With his daughter also a keen participant in the latter he is able to offer her advice on “all the things not to do” after his normal Sunday evening games in the Auckland Social Water Polo league he enjoys playing in.

Chris has never been involved in something like the London - Sydney Ultimate challenge which he sees as a great opportunity to get out of any comfort zone, meet & get to know a bunch of new people & support great causes. Chris will primarily be focused on setting up the refuelling element of the project and is looking forward to having some fun & contributing wherever possible to make this venture a success.

My role is mainly in the area of communications and navigation. Looking at ways for the riders, support crew and followers alike to communicate with each other 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Looking at technology to enable progress to be followed on the expedition web site, including live tracking of the jet skis and live video and picture feeds from the riders and support vessel, along with the more usual blogs and commentary. All of this made that much more difficult by the harsh maritime environment that the jet skis will operate in and the distance from land and the usual forms of communication that some of the route will take.

My background is in aviation where I am an international Pilot for Air New Zealand. In a previous life I spent a number of years working as an engineer in the computer industry, although I would have to say that technology certainly has moved on and a lot of learning is taking place!!

I’m a bit of a petrol head at heart and into all things fast and thrilling, on land or water. I am married with teenage daughters, a dog and the usual commitments but always like to be kept busy with challenging and rewarding projects.

A big part of my motivation to be involved in this expedition is the chance to be part of a team that actively promotes healthy living and cancer prevention plus the opportunity to help raise funds for cancer research. It is not often in ones’ life that an opportunity like this comes along so when they does it should be grasped with both hands and your feet should hit the floor running.

He came across our Croatian rider and mechanic, Ivan OtuliČ on holiday, saw a good story and got hooked when given a ride on the back of Ivan’s Jetski.

Bill has brought essential help through his myriad connections in the last few weeks to make our start from London to Rotterdam go off with some flair as well as opening his contacts files that he has created from every corner of the world.

Alex is passionate about traveling (especially by unconventional means), good planning and gourmet food. Alex works for the refining industry and is a volunteer firefighter. He is also fluent in three languages (English, Spanish and Romanian). Five years ago he lost his father to cancer.

Gavin’s role with Westfield involves using a range of the company’s global risk management tools and processes, to keep track of risks with the New Zealand business. The job includes crisis management, business continuity planning, life safety and insurance management – building on Gavin’s earlier experience in the manufacturing and mining sectors.

Robyn is widowed with an adult family. Robyn has been involved in several similar events and is excited to be able to support the Team and their families in this venture

JACAL's professional team holds expertise in a diverse range of industries including: Retail, Hospitality, Wholesale, Medical Practices, IT, Sports and Professional Athletes, Real Estate (National Networks), Property (Rental and Investment). Primary sector industry experience includes: Horticulture, Viticulture, Aquaculture, Forestry, Racing and Equine Bloodstock sectors.