Nathan Fa'avae has been one of the best all-around adventure racers in the world and Captain of the Balance Vector, the highly successful New Zealand Adventure Racing Team.
With a lifelong passion for outdoor sports and adventure, he has become a highly regarded figure in the field. As the captain of the world's most successful adventure racing team, Nathan has received numerous accolades, including being honored as an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023.
In July 2024, Nathan, along with his racing partner Sophie Hart, emerged victorious in the world's most gruelling race, the Yukon 1000. Paddling 1000 miles along the Yukon River, they completed the race in 6 days and 23 minutes, achieving the second-fastest kayak time ever. This victory adds to Nathan's impressive record of accomplishments in adventure racing.
Nathan's expertise extends beyond sports. He is a professional outdoor consultant specialising in team-building adventures, sporting events, and adventure racing. He founded the renowned Spring Challenge women's adventure race and excels in leadership, logistics, and ensuring participant safety. While he dedicated a significant portion of his life to sports, his primary career revolves around outdoor education and event production.
Initially studying Physical Education, Nathan switched his focus to outdoor leadership and gained experience as a sea kayak guide in Abel Tasman National Park. He and his wife successfully operated Kiwi Kayaks, which received a New Zealand Small Business Award. Later, they worked as instructors at the prestigious NZ Outward Bound School.
Nathan's expertise also extends to organising commercial sporting events and managing event management contracts through his company, Ten Events Ltd. He conducted a comprehensive review of Niue Tourism's events strategy and adventure tourism industry. Moreover, he applies his knowledge to create unique and engaging corporate events using the Adventure Racing platform.
Safety is a top priority for Nathan. His Health & Safety plans undergo regular audits, ensuring a secure environment for all activities. With his expertise and dedication, Nathan guarantees thoughtfully designed and expertly executed outdoor experiences for team building or corporate events that leave a lasting impression.
Talking Points
... another telling point was that he received a standing ovation, something that I have not witnessed at any of the previous events that I have attended. ... There was a positive buzz follo ... keep reading Royal New Zealand Air Force
A great session at our Nationals Awards dinner, I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did everyone else I have spoken to. We all could all have listened to Nathan for hours! He has such a good balance of insight, information and humour and he is natural with it, which I really appreciated. He definitely inspired me to get off my butt more so that's a result. A really enjoyable session with an super accomplished athlete who spoke brilliantly and naturally in such an entertaining way. Highly recommended.
