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ABOUT THE TEAM
If you’re like us, you live for travel and you live for your sport. You live for packing up your board, skis, bike or climbing shoes and jumping on a plane bound for ‘that place you’ve dreamt of visiting for years’.
If you’re like us, you know what it’s like to be trapped in an office or classroom craving your next powder turn or run in the park. You know what it’s like to spend your day dreaming about perfect tubes, limestone crags, or single-cross descents.
If you’re like us, you seek distant lands and secret spots. You crave virgin terrain, pristine breaks and majestic rocks.
If you’re like us, you want the ultimate sports experience every time you travel because time is too precious for anything else.
If you’re like us, you’ll understand why we’ve given up our office jobs to create a travel company that truly understands the needs of sports enthusiasts.
Keen to join our team? Check out our job section on this website. |
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| INSTRUCTION & TRIP LEADING TEAM
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|  | | DANIELA, INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
Growing up amidst the beautiful Swiss mountains, Daniela could hardly avoid skiing as a child. By three, she had strapped on her first skis and only a decade later, at thirteen, she was also a proficient snowboarder. After finishing business school, Daniela launched a career as a professional snowboarder. Later, she worked as a coach in various snowboard camps while simultaneously competing in halfpipe and slopestyle competitions. These experiences developed her both as an athlete and an instructor, and she has since received sponsorship from numerous, well-known companies (including O’Neill, Vans, Nidecker, and Scott). For four years, she traveled the world with halfpipe competitions for the ISF World Pro Tour and, through this travel, stumbled upon the similar sport of surfing. Now, when she’s not tearing through the snow on her board or passing on some of her skills to her tutees, there is nothing Daniela likes more than catching a wave on the picturesque Indonesian shoreline. |
|  | | EMANUEL, INSTRUCTOR
Though born in Switzerland, Emanuel’s passion for snowboarding has taken him to nearly every corner of the globe. He competed as a top Swiss Cup and World Cup snowboarder, but later left the circuit to pursue first a degree and then a career in Electrical Engineering. Emanuel’s love for snowboarding, however, inspired him to quit his job to exclusively travel and instruct for Access. He keeps guests entertained with his sense of humor, but he also brings in-depth, local knowledge of the trips he leads in Switzerland, Canada, and New Zealand. It’s his enthusiasm for snowboarding that defines his success as an instructor; there is nothing he loves more than sharing the sport with others. |
|  | | SOULAIMI, INSTRUCTOR & LOGISTICS
Soulaimi grew up surfing on the breaks of Bali and Java in Indonesia. Though he entered into an apprenticeship at the Bank of Indonesia as a young adult, surfing continued to call him. He realized he wanted to share surfing with others, and for that quit his job to work with Access Trips. His extensive local knowledge and familiarity with the area make him an ideal guide. Even now, years later, he still relishes each new opportunity to introduce guests to a new, unexplored facet of his Indonesian homeland. |
|  | | ROY, INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
A thrill seeker since youth and a true rebel by heart; Roy`s life has been characterized by his insatiable quest for adventure. Twenty years of surf experience in El Salvador have given him unique understanding of Salvadoran culture as well as earned him respect at the country’s best breaks. In 2001, he began coaching professionally. For Roy, his enthusiasm is contagious: his friends, guests, and even his two sons have developed a genuine appreciation of the sport through their interactions with Roy. In addition to surfing, Roy enjoys many other elements of life outdoors, including mountain biking. In fact, shortly after his 1995 entry into the mountain biking circuit, he won the first downhill competition he entered and later qualified up to the finals on the strictly uphill event of Salvadoran mountain biking in 1997. |
|  | | MARCEL, INSTRUCTOR
Marcel first attempted skiing at the age of two in his native Switzerland. Now, over twenty-five years later, he considers himself a “ski-aholic.” The sport of skiing has played an enormous role in his life, from his experience as a ski racer to his attendance of a Swiss ski high school. During the early years of his ski career, he competed in several European Cup races and traveled across Europe. When these races and their results no longer stimulated him, he switched to freeskiing and started skicrosses, for which he is now ranked in the world Top 15. His talent caught the attention of Rossignol ski and clothing, the company that continues to sponsor him. For Marcel, however, the most fulfilling element of skiing has been instructing others. Though he is now facing his 4th World Cup Skicross season, he loves using his ski teacher license (the highest degree issued by the Swiss Ski Federation) to share the sport with others. When he’s not on the slopes, Marcel enjoys golf, rock-climbing, listening to heavy metal music, and cracking jokes. |
|  | | KARIM, INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
From the coast, to the desert, to the interior, Karim knows his native country of Morocco intimately. It was here that he learned to surf and here that he continues to surf today, both alone and as an instructor with guests. His incredible knack for teaching others the sport of surfing caught the attention of the prestigious French Surf Association; currently, he is the only surf instructor in all of Morocco to hold one of their licenses. Outside of the water, he loves to cook traditional Moroccan dishes. For his guests, his elaborate meals are a rare treat. |
|  | | J.P., INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
At an early age, J.P. knew his passion was traveling. Ski racing at the Junior Olympic level exposed him to the western United States, and later, snowboarding professionally for K2 Snowboards enabled him to see much of the rest of the world. After competing professionally in half-pipe competitions in the U.S. and Japan, he began to explore big mountain riding. He has since found himself in some unusual situations, including pioneering Russian heli-skiing operations, bagging peaks in Alaska with Farmer and Perata (two legendary snowboarders featuring in the movie First Descent), and rubbing elbows with the “heli-elite” at Mike Wiegeles’ in Canada. All of these unique experiences have honed his skills as an athlete as well as an instructor. He now lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with his family, a place he chose for its diverse terrain. With access to four mountain ranges as well as a world-class ski hill, what snowboarder could ask for more? |
|  | | JAKE, INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
Jake has been involved with the Freeski scene in New Zealand since 1998, and he has been coaching almost as long. He first developed his instruction skills with friends, when he was starting to jump. Last season, he was selected as National Junior Freeski Coach and National Team selector in New Zealand. He has also coordinated and run the New Zealand Trampoline Tour, a nationwide tour spanning three weeks that brings skiers together to learn flip and spin rotations on the trampoline. Jake holds a Pre-Hospital Emergency Care medical certification (Ski Patrol level), and he also has two seasons as a Patroller in Utah under his belt. With a family of professional caterers, Jake is just as knowledgeable in the kitchen as he is on the slopes and loves cooking for large groups. He has spent considerable time in the Wanaka and Queenstown ski fields and, of his own admission, “builds the best kickers with the steepest landings in the best places.” |
|  | | SIMON, INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
Simon has been traveling the world instructing whitewater kayaking, snowboarding and whitewater rafting for the past eight years, and he shows no signs of losing momentum. The pursuit of surf, snow, and pristine rivers has taken him to over twenty-five countries. He has organized and led kayaking expeditions to Kenya and Bolivia, where his team ran multiple first descents of rivers ranging form Class IV to V+. These expeditions were sponsored by renowned kayaking outfitters, including Bliss-Stick Kayaks, Hydraulics Riverwear, Paddlerzone, Backcountry Cuisine, and Stephens Photoplus. Various reputable adventure travel and whitewater kayaking magazines across the world have featured Simon’s writing. Now based in Calgary, Canada, he enjoys exploring the rivers and the snow capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. |
|  | | BENJAMIN, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
Though German by birth, it is Brazil that Benjamin has called home since 1997. On the Brazilian shoreline, he developed his skills first as a surfer and, later, as an instructor. He now holds an internationally-recognized surf instructor license (Surfing Australia Inc. Level 2 Surf Instructor) as well as a Coast Guard certification. His organized and attentive approach to surfing has earned him respect as a Brazilian Surf Confederation Competition Judge, and he brings this same critical skill set to his video analyses for guest surfers. |
| MEHMET, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in Ozkonak, a small village in the center of Cappadocia, Mehmet knows the spectacular Cappadocia region of Turkey like the back of his hand. Having biked in this region since he was a child. Mehmet has a passion for mountain biking and a passion for the wonderful rocks, valleys, mountains and villages of Cappadocia. Six years ago Mehmet decided to turn this passion into a profession by becoming a mountain bike guide and he has satisfied countless clients since then with his wonderful hospitality and excellent local knowledge. |
| JOSE, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
Jose is a man of many talents. He is a competitive mountain biker who competed at a sub-elite level for many years, he is an experienced nature guide, and he is fluent in English, German and Italian. He is also an experienced mountain bike guide who knows the back roads and hidden trails of Costa Rica intimately. All in all, Jose is the ideal leader for our Costa Rica mountain bike tour, and given his considerable mountain bike experience and his uncanny ability to transmit knowledge, Jose is also the ideal lead instructor for our tour. |
| ARIS, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
No one has done as much for climbing in Greece as Aris. A professional mountain guide and climbing instructor since 1989, Aris has personally put up hundreds of new routes in Greece, many of which have become classics. He is a highly accomplished and active climber, having climbed throughout the world. He is also a knowledgeable and experienced climbing instructor who has written several climbing books. As the lead guide and instructor for our Greece climbing trip, Aris shows our clients the very best routes in Europe’s newest rock climbing paradise – the island of Kalymnos. |
| HARVEY, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
The trip leader and instructor for our Norway ski and snowboard tour started his mountaineering career in Scotland but his love of the Arctic region led him to move to Northern Norway in 1994. Harvey is an accomplished alpine and telemark skier and he is also a qualified glacier instructor with considerable experience instructing avalanche awareness courses. Harvey has skied and climbed throughout the world including the Alps, East Greenland, Bolivia, the Antarctic, India and Nepal. |
| KAREN, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
One of Europe’s most accomplished mountain bikers, German-born Karen has thrice won the Transalp Challenge, the hardest endurance race in world, and once won the Transrockies Challenge. In addition to being a professional mountain biker sponsored by Scott, Karen is also an accomplished skier. Karen runs several of our European bike tours as well as our women’s only bike and yoga trip in the Canary Islands. |
| HOLGER, TRIP LEADER & INSTRUCTOR
A freerider for the Scott Pro team, Holger discovered his passion for mountain biking while on vacation in Santa Barbara, California. Returning to his homeland of Germany he took up mountain biking seriously and soon began to compete. He later qualified for the downhill World Cup and spent many years on the World Cup circuit before turning his attention to freeriding. In addition to being a world-class mountain biker, Holger is an excellent instructor and shares his mountain biking knowledge during our Canary Islands and France trips. |
| JAVIER, INSTRUCTOR & TRIP LEADER
A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, Javier has been passionate about mountain biking since his family became the first in his city to own mountain bikes! He began racing mountain bikes at 13, became a member of the Mexican national team at 16, and turned professional at 18. In his late teens Javier discovered surfing and he quickly became both passionate and highly accomplished at the sport. Since giving up professional mountain biking in his early twenties, Javier has dedicated himself to what he loves best - guiding visitors to the best mountain bike trails and surf beaches in Mexico! |
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| CREATIVE TEAM
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|  | | ATA, GRAPHIC DESIGN
Ata is head designer of Access Trips. Through his unique style as both a graphic designer and as a graffiti artist, he has gained worldwide fame and influenced a generation of designers. His work has been featured in a number of important design books, and he has been exhibited throughout Europe. He obtained a degree in graphic design from the School of Fine Arts in Berne, Switzerland. He is addicted to surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding and loves to travel the world. |
|  | | RICHARD, CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Richard is one of the most talented action sports photographers in Europe. He has done work for companies like Burton Snowboards, BMW and TransWorld Snowboarding Magazine. When not on assignment traveling the world or photo editing for Access Trips, he manages the family oil empire. He also holds a Masters degree in Business from the University of Augsburg, Germany. |
|  | | MAX, GRAPHIC DESIGN
Although his passion for traveling leads him across the world, Max spent his young life in Switzerland, where he attended the School of Fine Arts in Berne. Later, with a degree in graphic design, he moved on to an apprenticeship at Buero Destruct and Studio Fantasmo in Guadelajara, Mexico. Currently, he owns and runs the graphic design business, Max Henschel Grafik (www.mhg.ch), with which he created the Access Trips logo. When he’s not working, Max loves to travel, skate, surf and snowboard. |
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| MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
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|  | | VICTORIA, CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
A sports enthusiast with a love of snowboarding, rock climbing, surfing and mountain biking, Victoria has a passion for traveling. She has traveled extensively in South America, Europe, North America and Australasia. A native of New Zealand, she moved to the United States when she was 17 to attend the United World College, an international school in New Mexico. She then went on to complete her university studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, USA, where she graduated summa cum laude. Upon graduation, Victoria was accepted for a financial analyst position in the media group of New York investment bank, Morgan Stanley, where she worked until deciding to co-found Access Trips. She is currently doing her MBA at Harvard Business School and will graduate in June 2008. She also has a BA degree in psychology, speaks Spanish and Portuguese, and has worked & volunteered extensively with teenagers during her summers. |
|  | | ALAIN, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Growing up in the Swiss Alps, it`s no wonder Alain developed a passion for snowboarding. All the hours he put into becoming a world-ranked, widely-published and sponsored snowboarder didn`t stop him from pursuing other interests, however. Alain is a keen mountain biker, surfer, and rock climber. Nor did it cause him to shirk on his studies. After finishing high school in Switzerland, Alain was accepted to Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, USA where he earned his bachelors degree in economics. He then went on to win a financial analyst position with New York investment bank, Salomon Smith Barney, where he spent two years as a financial analyst. During his time in New York, he managed to qualify for the U.S. National Halfpipe Snowboarding Championships and made plans to co-found Access Trips. Alain has an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and currently focuses on the technology and operational needs of Access Trips. He is an avid traveler (fluent in four languages) and has extensive experience in working with instructional trips. He is sponsored by Burton Snowboards. |
|  | | TAMAR, VP SALES & MARKETING
Tamar has been lucky to turn her passion for travel into her career, managing marketing and ecommerce for travel industry leaders such as Lonely Planet, Travelocity and American Airlines. Born in Israel, she grew up jetting between Tel Aviv, Washington, D.C., and Lagos, Nigeria. That laid the groundwork for a lifelong need to explore that has taken her to over 50 countries. Among her favorite places are Tibet, which is possibly the most stunning place on earth, and Vietnam, where she fell in love. Tamar earned a BS in Mass Communications from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and loves kayaking, hiking, and photography.
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|  | | REMY, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
It was Remy’s passion for the Internet that ultimately saved him from a career in the laboratory. Since 1995, he has engaged in Web programming. Currently, with Access Trips, he uses his technological acumen and analytical mind to reduce complicated programs to their bare minimum. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry and is a former National Champion in break dancing. When he is not coding for Access Trips, he manages Atalier GmbH, a company that provides visual marketing solutions. He also travels the world to judge break dance competitions. Recently, as part of the Spartanic Breakdance Crew, he ranked second place in the Red Bull Beat Battle in London. |
|  | | AKO, GUEST SERVICES & OPERATIONS
Born in Japan, Ako now enjoys the outdoor life hiking and skiing, while living in Tahoe, CA. She graduated from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD with a BA in Fine Arts. She worked in Tokyo as an Assistant Director for the art procurement department for one of the largest trading companies in Japan. As an art consultant, she contributed to the creation of the newest modern art museum in Tokyo. Travel has taken her to Southeast Asia, Africa, India, Europe and Canada. Travel and art can inspire everyone, you can’t help spending a little more time composing your photos when you visit a truly spectacular destination. Working with Access Trips gives Ako inspiration to visit many more countries. |
|  | | KATIE, GUEST SERVICES & MARKETING
Katie has run biking and yoga trips around the world, has traveled extensively in India, Africa, Oceania and Central America, and is fluent in Spanish. She has a BA in Anthropology and Foreign Languages and is currently completing a Masters degree in Health Arts and Sciences. Katie comes to Access with experience in sales and marketing from her six-years employment as a research assistant to a revolutionary group of scientists of Artificial Intelligence and stock market prediction in Spain. Her favorite place in the world is the Costa de la Luz in Spain, where she believes that in a past life she was a flamenco dancer. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area where she enjoys reading, teaching yoga and Ayurvedic cooking. |
| THERIN, CONTENT, MARKETING & ADMINISTRATION
Therin was born and raised in Nashville (an origin that justifies her love of country music), but her family home has been in Chicago since 1999. From 2003-2005, she attended United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, and it was here that she was first introduced to surfing. Even the piercing cold of the Bristol Channel didn’t deter her from catching her first waves, and as she now pursues her undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, and Science at Stanford University, she hopes to find the time to continue this new hobby. She also enjoys running, writing for a university literary magazine, and taking the foreign out of languages. |
| JOEL, CONTENT, MARKETING & ADMINISTRATION
Joel is a Stanford University student in the Class of 2008. He expects to major in Political Science and minor in Economics. During the summer of 2004, he was successfully self-employed in online retail. He is highly proficient with computers (both Mac and Windows), including Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Pagemaker, Illustrator, and basic HTML. He is moderately fluent in Spanish. |
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