Profile

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1966 Rod developed a boy hood love for the outdoors. Leaving Zimbabwe in 1979 to reside in South Africa along with his parents and two brothers saw the start of his teenage outdoor adventures and sporting achievements. After leaving school in 1984 with sporting colors in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics he was conscripted into the South African Defence Force and joined the elite Parachute Regiment, gaining his wings in July of 1985.

On leaving the army at the end of 1986 Rod found a passion for triathlons and kayaking, with the help of his sponsors he went on to complete in the 1987 SA Triathlon Championships and in the perusing year’s competed 2 Iron Man triathlons, 2 Duzi canoe marathons, and several running marathons including the Comrades ultra marathon of 97km.

After touring to Spain in 1989 as a member of the University of Witwatersrand canoe team, Rod found himself travelling through Europe finally settling in London in 1990. It was not until 2004 when he first experience the thrills of rock climbing in the lake district and from there his climbing and mountaineering passion grew.

Rod is a devoted father of three children and has a keen intrest in bee keeping with several hives located in Richmond Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks. He is a member of the Thames Valley Climbing Club and has climbing predominantly in Scotland and the Alps over the last 4 years. Notable achievements have been Kilimanjaro, Matterhorn, Traverse of the Eiger, and Mt Blanc.