About us

AdventureHub Ltd is about providing people with the ability to achieve true adventures. We provide a single point of contact whatever the adventure. It is about building up trust and relationships between us as the provider and you as the adventurer. We want you to finish an event without complaint and come back to us to build on that experience. We will take your advice and needs and go the extra distance to meet them.

AdventureHub provides the focal point for the adventurer and those embarking on becoming an adventurer or ultra athlete. We offer ocean rowing, polar exploration, trekking and mountaineering, ultra running and a support service for those needing advice, research or a support team – even just a sounding board for ideas and plans.

AdventureHub seeks to enable people of all levels to venture beyond their current limits and offer a realistic progression as part of our adventure portfolio.

Above all we seek to offer you the means to adventure, whatever the level enabling you to go further, faster, longer......whatever you driving motivation we aim to ensure you achieve your goals.

Name:

Ian Couch

Occupation:

Adventurer

(Managing Director of AH)

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Surfing waves mid Atlantic 07

Whales breaching Atlantic 2010

Making it through the crevasse fields Greenland 2010

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Ben’s frostbite Greenland 2009

Knockdown Indian Ocean 2009

INSPIRATION:

Wilfred Thesiger, Lance Armstrong

MOTIVATION:

Making the most of the time I have, my family, not giving in when my body wants to quit

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight it’s the size of the fight in the dog’

My Latest Photos

Ian established Adventure Hub to enable others to share his love of endurance adventure. Prior to this he had served for 17 years as an officer in the army during which time he had gained considerable relevant experience all over the world. From a background of martial arts, rock climbing, rowing and most outdoor sports Ian became involved in ultra activities.

In recent years:

2007:

Jurassic Coast Challenge –

3 marathons in 3 days

Grand Union Canal Race –

145 miles non- stop foot race

Atlantic Row - record braking row from The Canary Isles to Antigua

2008:
Atlantic Row

Gobi Desert Challenge –

145 mile stage race through the Gobi Desert

50 Mile Challenge

2009:
Endure 09 –

Greenland Speed Crossing

Indian Ocean Crossing 'Audeamus'

2010:

Atlantic Row

Endure 2010 -

completed speed crossing

Ian is married to Heather and they have two young boys – future adventurers!

Name:

Lee Fudge

Occupation:

Adventurer

(Training and Logistics AH)

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Showering in a squall.

The night sky mid-Atlantic.

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Fungal infection & my infected knee.

INSPIRATION:

Hard to say, it comes from so many sources including my team mates, competitors, family & friends.

MOTIVATION:

Not wanting to let anyone down (including myself).

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“When you’re going through hell, keep going!”

Winston Churchill.

My Latest Photos

Lee comes to Adventure Hub from a strong training and organisational background. Originally a communications expert in the Royal Navy Lee went on to SCUBA diving, becoming a PADI Master Instructor, teaching a huge range of subjects and leading expeditions around the world. He has professional maritime management qualifications, event management experience and brings a broad base of skills to Adventure Hub. He delivers training and logistic support as well as being a key element of the planning team.

In 2009/2010, Lee rowed across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Barbados on Britannia III as the boat’s mate. In this role he assisted in selecting and recruiting the crew, sourcing suppliers and managing the project. At sea, he took charge of one watch and supported the boat’s skipper (Ian). The crew crossed in 38 days, 11 hours and 7 seconds making them the fastest mixed gender crew to make the crossing.

His wish list includes polar expeditions and the World record for rowing across the mid-Atlantic.

In recent years:

2010

January Atlantic Row

Name:

Ben Thackwray

Occupation:

Adventurer

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Surfing the big waves and zipping along the surface during a squall in the Atlantic and seeing the night rainbow.

In Greenland the highlights were safely navigating through the crevasse fields and not getting eaten by polar bears and finishing in 15 days.

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Without a doubt getting frostbite in Greenland and I didn’t enjoy being followed by polar bears for two days.

Finishing the Atlantic row was bitter sweet as I was having so much fun.

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“get stuck in” - my mum Tish

My Latest Photos

Ben is a hugely experienced adventurer and ultra athlete. He and Ian met whilst rowing the Atlantic in 07/08 and have gone on to the Endure speed crossing of Greenland.

I was born and raised in Leeds and I love the Yorkshire Dales - its a perfect playground. I used to play semi-pro football and did a degree in sports science. I have worked in the financial industry and been adventuring for 8 years. I like being able to diversify across ultra distance running, ocean rowing, mountaineering and polar travel as I enjoy each challenge individually and by doing a variety of challenges you can experience a vast array of different environments and the knowledge, fitness and experience is all transferrable.

INSPIRATION:

I don’t really have any, I always just thought ‘I could do that’

MOTIVATION:

Fear I would hate to look back and not have done something I wanted to.

In Recent Years:

Marathon de Sables

Denalli traverse

Atlantic row

Greenland crossing

Numerous Ultra Marathons

Everest Summit

Ben’s web site: www.benthackwray.com

Ben successfully summited everest June 11.

Name:

Heather Couch

Occupation:

Logistics, Design and Dog’s body!

expedition highlight:

Seeing Ian in from all of his adventures.

The realisation that my limits were self-imposed!

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Worrying about Ian and Ben on the Crevasse fields during the ENDURE 10 expedition.

INSPIRATION:

Its going to sound mushy but it’s seeing my husband achieve the most amazing feats. My children with whom we laugh every day.

My Latest Photos

Heather jointly established Adventure Hub and is the key player for the smooth administration and logistics of the company – the things that really influence the success of your endeavour! She is involved in the planning of all Adventure Hub activities. Determined and meticulous planner Heather also maintains our web site and acts as families’ officer.

The values and goals of Adventure Hub include good customer relations, prompt service and the fact that our clients and families can always talk to a knowledgeable staff member and Heather’s experience means that she can speak with authority to concerned families and friends when their loved ones are away.

IN RECENT YEARS:

Lake Titicaca

Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Amazon Jungle

Name:

Niall McCann

Occupation:

Zoologist, Adventurer

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Arriving in English Harbour Antigua after 63 days rowing the Atlantic, Catching an 18ft 2inch long anaconda

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Having to retreat off The Nose of El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

Bite off more than you can chew, and chew it.

My Latest Photos

Niall is a highly experienced adventurer with 11 years of expedition experience ranging from Himalayan cycling, Alpine mountaineering and big wall climbing, to ocean rowing, polar hauling and remote jungle expeditioning. Niall is a professional zoologist and has spent over 11 months working in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, specialising in large mammal genetics.

IN RECENT YEARS:

Cycle Karakoram Highway over Khunjerab Pass, highest paved pass in the world

Cycle Khardung La, highest road in the world

Canoe Yukon River

Three day ascent of the North West Face of Half Dome

World record for erg-rowing one million metres: 67 hours, 24 minutes, 14 seconds.

Row mid-Atlantic

Greenland crossing

Six separate zoological expeditions to Central and South America

For all enquiries contact AdventureHub - Email: info@adventurehub.com

Tel: 07525000933 or fill in a contact form

Adventurehub Ltd is a registered company.

All comments and views expressed are the opinion of the author.

Name:

Neil Ward

Occupation:

Offshore rigging specialist, Adventurer

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Opening a variant route to the true summit of shishapangma (8027meters)

Marrying Louise in Barbados after a 38 day trans Atlantic row

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Being blown off the summit ridge of Makalu, so close yet so far

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

Rule no1 climbing; don’t fall

My Latest Photos

Neil is an extreme adventurer who loves to push himself and the limits. He is never more at home than setting up a bivi perched up high on a cliff somewhere! Living in the Chamonix valley for the last 15 years Neil has the Alps as his back garden to climb, rock, snow, ice, trek, summit, open variant winter routes. All super practice for his expeditions to the Himalayas where he climbs 8000 meter peaks without the aid of supplementary oxygen or Sherpa support. Neil is a passionate and talented climber who has over 25 yrs experience.

Working on the oil rigs gives Neil the perfect environment to practice his physical endurance and mentally prepares him for living / travelling / coping with extreme conditions.

“It is an absolute pleasure to have Neil as my guide he never put any pressure on me but was able to bring out my inner strength by making me feel anything is possible.”

IN RECENT YEARS:

In recent years:

-Opened a new route on shishapnagma (8,000 meter peak in Tibet)

-Several Himalayan Expeditions (Makalu, Cho oyu)

-Rowed the Atlantic (Spain- Barbados) aboard Britannia III (fastest mixed sex crossing)

-Involved in nature reserve project in the jungles of Belize

-Mapping the coral sea beds off Belize

-Power boat instructor in South Patagonia for National Geographic expedition

-South American climbing + trekking

-Vast amount of Alpine climbs (ticking off all the 4,000 meter peaks in Switzerland / France/ Italy)

Neil at 8027meters the true summit of shishapangma representing AdventureHub

Name:

Lou Ward

Occupation:

Ski instructor, PSE2 (mountain rescue), Middle mountain Guide (currently finishing the exams) and general outdoor addict!

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Landing a leading role in a French film on mountaineering and how the English concurred the Alps in the 1900’s and opened a new route (La Voie Royal) to climb Mt Blanc ‘Dans les traces de Charles Hudson’ by guide Christoph Delachat.

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Getting dysentery in Tibet and loosing 10kg’s and not being able to walk/climb.

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

Don’t make a mountain out of a mountain!

About Lou

Living in the heart of the French Alps means that climbing mountains is not just a passion but a way of life for Louise, a ski instructor for the last 12 years. Louise has grown up walking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, Nordic skiing and recently developed a love for trail running and cycling. Working as a ski instructor has enabled Louise to coach in some of the most exciting ski resorts all over the world.

Louise’s plans for this summer are; completing the GR20 a 200KM trek across Corsica and taking part in the Mont Blanc cross in Chamonix and finally the ‘monte de Ni D’ Aigle’ all famous for their gruelling vertical climbs. Plus as many 4,000m peaks in the Alps she and fantastic mountain fanatic husband Neil Ward can find the time for!

IN RECENT YEARS:

-First female assent of North face of Domes de Miage
-Multiple 4,000m peaks across the French / Swiss/ Italian Alps
-Leading a high Atlas trek (Jubal Toubcal)
-Nice to Cannes marathon
-Himalayan trekking (India, Nepal, Tibet)
-The TMB (Tour du Mt Blanc) 3 countries. 9,800m vertical climb. 150Km’s

Name:

Jo Davies

Occupation:

Hydrographic Surveyor, Adventurer

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHT:

Reaching Antigua and completing my “unfinished Business” and gaining a Guiness Record for the fastest Women’s Four to row an ocean.

EXPEDITION LOWPOINT:

Not making it to the summit of Kilimanjaro due to altitude sickness.

FAVOURITE QUOTE:

“carpe Diem”

My Latest Photos

Jo Davies was born in Kenya where she spent the first eight years of her life running round half naked in the sunshine, sailing boats and swimming in the sea. The sea formed the basis for Jo’s passions later in life and this led her to study Marine Geography at Cardiff university.

In 2005 she embarked on her first expedition as past of an all girls team - “Rowgirls” - to row across the Atlantic, combining her love of the sea and her passion for rowing. Unfortunately things did not go to plan on this expedition and after suffering a fall, Jo had to retire from the race with a back injury. Not able to forget her “Unfinished Business” se returned on 2007 to conquer the Atlantic in another boat with a different team of girls. After the success of her second row she then took to the mountains and attempted a climb of Mt Kilimanjaro. In 2009 she took part in an expedition skiing across Greenland with assistance of dogs which she thoroughly enjoyed and used as a testing ground for achieving her main ambition - to ski to the South Pole.

When not mapping the seabed she spends her time kayaking, rowing and sailing in and around Cornwall and winters getting her cross country skiing technique up to scratch.

INSPIRATION:

"Shackleton is my hero - I believe he is one of the greatest leaders of our time, he led his men through some of the harshest conditions in existence and brought them all out the other side. On his incredible boat journey he never lost a man; they all had trust and faith in his leadership."

IN RECENT YEARS:

Atlantic Rowing Race 2005 - Rowgirls

Atlantic Rowing Race 2007 – Unfinished Business

Mt Kilimanjaro – 2008

Trans Greenland Dog Expedition – 2009

Pustertaler Ski Marathon – 2011

Plans for future: 2012 – Yukon Arctic Ultra Race

2014 – traverse of Antarctic Continent