I’m Hunter, a PMBIA-certified (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association) coach from Auckland, and I also hold a First-Aid qualification. Growing up, I struggled with my weight and spent too much time on video games and social media. That changed when a friend convinced me to buy a mountain bike—I sold my gaming console to fund it, and that decision sparked a transformation. I started training, reading more, and fell in love with riding. But learning on my own was frustrating. I kept guessing at techniques, hoping to get them right, and struggled to find others to ride with. I needed guidance and a supportive community, so I set out to create the one I never had. Now as a professionally qualified coach, my mission is to help others build confidence on the bike, master key skills, and connect with a like-minded riding community—so they can ride stronger, safer, and with more stoke.

I’m truly passionate about bikes, and I LOVE riding. I’m obsessed with the idea of mastery—pushing myself every day to improve, to see how far I can go. Watching riders with perfect technique and effortless style fires me up. Every corner, every root, every jump... precise, smooth, controlled.

My favorite feeling is breaking something down, learning it, and then—just a few sessions later—doing something I once thought was impossible. Progress. That’s what drives me. But what I didn’t realize at first was that I have that same passion for seeing others progress. Watching riders master new skills, overcome challenges, and achieve things they once thought were out of reach is just as rewarding as my own journey if not more.

But as much as I love pushing myself to be better, I’ve come to realize that what makes riding important is not just the challenge—it’s the people you ride it with. The best rides of my life—the ones I’ll never forget—aren’t just about speed or skill. They’re about the mountain bike community. Hours and hours of riding with friends, talking, laughing, and completely losing track of time. Nothing else matters—just the ride, the moment, and the company.

In fact, my favorite part of race day isn’t just racing—it’s having all my mates together for 3–6 hours, with nothing else on the agenda. What a day.

I believe in hard work. I believe in pushing your limits. But most of all, I believe in doing it alongside people who inspire you.

The pursuit of perfection is a never-ending climb—you’ll never truly reach the top. But that’s what makes it worth chasing. And I love the climb.