The Gravity Team
Our guides are one of the most important aspects of our company. We like to employ people who have solid experience and are respected in the industry. These young men and women are the essence of what Gravity is about - an innovative and professional company which is leading the industry in terms of product development, training and service.
We encourage and support them in following their dreams and in improving their skills and knowledge wherever possible. Phil Solomon and Matt Doms spent the 2008 winter season guiding in Iceland and Scotland, respectively, while Scott Martin headed back to the States. Ant Hoard sucessfully completed his National Certificate in Tourism Guiding and Sonja Petersen has just started the same course.
TIPS
Although our guides are well paid for their work, it is common practice to show your appreciation for the people who look after your safety on the river, cook up some amazing meals and entertain you with their stories and enthusiasm. Please feel free to tip your guides at the end of your trip.
Andrew Kellett - Andrew is the founder of Gravity Adventure which was established in 1997. He is a qualified Graphic Designer and currently does all the artwork and web site work for Gravity. Andrew has also represented South Africa twice at the World Freestyle championships and his best result was 35 reaching the quater-finals in Spain. He is currently an establisher expedition leader and has many First Descents behind his name. He is also the Safety Officer for the African Paddling Association and is South Africa's only International Rafting Federation instructor.
Marie-Louise Kellett - Marie-Louise is the co-founder of Gravity Adventures and has BA( hons) in Environmental and Geographical Sceince and is a keen environmentalist. She is also the driving force behind the African Paddling Assocciation and is currently the Admin Officer and has been an important link in setting up the Trans-Frontier Park between South Africa and Namibia.
Camdyn and Summer - Ann - Camdyn and Summer-Ann are 'guides' in training and could very well come across them on your next trip. They have been paddling various rivers around the world since the age of 4 and have been on multiple Orange River trips. Their favourite activity is collecting rocks on the beaches and surfing the waves on a boggie board as well as fishing.
Ant Hoard - Ant is Gravity's Operations Manager and keen kayaker. He will be the one handling all the behind the scenes logistics which make your trip, the food and guides, a success. If you are lucky, you might land him as your guide on on of our many operations. Ant is also a keen film maker and often shoots video on the trips so ask for him on your trip if you want to take some memories home!
Sonja Pieterson - Sonja has been with Gravity since the start and has worked her way up from office assistant to Sales correspondant and is always available to help with logistics in peak season. You will be dealing with her when you book your next outing with Gravity!
Peter Ridgeway - the Gravity Adventure Group's accountant, where he works best!
Shane Muhl- Shane is a free spirit who is currently traveling the world, one he hits SA's shores he is always drawn back to the river. He is a skilled river paddler and wil no doubt become a skilled kayaker when he finds time to settle in one place.
Jess Tyrell - Jess is our local 'Green fingers' who makes sure Gravity does it's bit to heal the environment. She can be found on her off days in a Tipi in Kommetjie and is persuing various studying oppertunities including Feild Guide to broaden her knowlage. She is a favourite amoungst our clients.
Kate Walton - Kate is one of our most experienced guides and a keen kayaker. She is currently SA top female kayaker and is sponsored by Fliud Kayaks. She has traveled and worked around the world and strives on delivering the best for her clients. She is a keen photographer and is always armed with her Canon 7D.
Mike Ndlovo - Mike was formally a gardner and still maitains many clients gardens in the off season. He is a skilled paddler who learned his trade on the waters of the Zambezi River. Now living in Cape Town, mike has a smile for every minute of the day.
Helen Muirhead - Helen came on a kayak training course with Gravity, met Phil and the rest is history. She has completed the guide training and is working on the river when she is not teaching Grade 3's! She is developing into a keen kayaker and will no doubt be one of the leading ladies in future.
Bulelani Mbusi - Lebo came to us through Educo, and although he couldn't swim when he started, he has become a very good paddler and a very competent guide. He is currently working for the SAP and works as a freelance guide.
Phil Solomon - Phil is our most experienced guide and white water kayaker. He has guided on the White Nile and is currently Guiding in Iceland.( see our article about Iceland in the news)
Roche Schoeman - Roach is probably the most laid back of the Gravity team, but this does not mean that his clients are any less happy with his performance. In fact we get only good feedback from his clients........maybe he bribes them? He is also a kayaker of the future.
Mandy van Eden - Mandy is an experience Raft Guide, gaining experience on rivers in America, she has committed to a life full of adventure here in SA. She is a master at playing the digiri-do and
Brett Thompson - Brett is currently working for Cape Nature as a manager of the Koelbay site in the Kogelberg Biospher Reserve.
Andrew Tubes - Andrew has worked for Gravity for over 3 years and is currently finishing off his studies in Nature Conservation. As you can see he likes to laugh alot!
Ant Cohen - Ant is a trained and skilled bespoke carpenter and he is happiest on the Orange River.
Alex - Alex is one of our Local Onseepkans guides who started working around the camp and worked his way up to guiding on the river. He has completed a River Guide course and is working towards qualifying.
Heinrich - Heinrich is an experienced guide with local knowlage on the area. Living on the banks of the river in Onseepkans, he knows the conditions well. He is a talented paddler and is up for any challenge.
Phil Swart - Phil is an experienced guide and a qualified paramedic. He is currently working in the DRC as a medic and works as a freelance guide whenever he is in town.
Theresa Wigley - Theresa has vast experience on rivers and is currently studying and working as a freelance guide.
Paul Wigley - Paul is by heart an adventurer and is an experienced overland guide. He has helped out with logistics on some of our expeditions and is a freelance guide.
Dave Wigley - Dave works a s a freelance guide and is a wizzard with fire sticks.
