Jake Van Der Veen

Growing up on Exmoor has meant I had one of the best playgrounds right on my doorstep. From mountain biking, walking, climbing, surfing or boating, I just can't get enough from being outside. I acquired an amazing knowledge of the South West and the skills to explore the outdoors in some very unique ways.

This has taken me all over the world working in incredible remote and complex environments as a coach, guide and educator.

More recently I have been exploring remote areas, providing instructor development/coaching, running expedition training and becoming a qualified primary school teacher- utilising my passion for education in the classroom and beyond!

I have competed internationally Mountain Biking, ridden some of the most exposed riding in the world and guided the world’s best athletes around my NZ home in Rotorua. I have been paddling since I was 11 and seize the opportunity to paddle whenever I can. I introduced over 200 novice paddlers to kayaking and coached them to run grade 3 WW whilst Chair of the UPSU Canoe Club. As part of this I completely rewrote the long-term development plan and organised ‘The Dart Dash’ a local white water kayak race as Chair of the club in 2016. In 2017, I was selected by Gene 17 to attend the Next Generation Training for up-and-coming European Paddle sports coaches to help develop my coaching craft further.