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Adventure First was set up by Mike Gifford who has over fifteen years experience in the outdoor industry. We aim to provide high quality and affordable outdoor activities and adventures to anyone and everyone! Our staff were all brought together for their infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors and their passion for introducing others to what they love, as well as their ability to pass on their skills which have been built up over many years.
 Mike Gifford, Managing Director
Mike has over fifteen years experience in outdoor guiding, instruction, education and technical advisory work all over the UK and further afield. Mike can regularly be found in the mountains, on the rivers or in the surf waiting for the perfect wave! He has climbed and kayaked extensively throughout Europe including regular ice climbing trips to Norway, alpine mountaineering in Switzerland and enjoying the sun soaked rock in Sardinia and Spain. He has also spent time in New Zealand climbing and mountaineering as well as kayaking and surfing. Mike has a Honours degree in Outdoor Education and was the Programme Manager and Senior Outdoor Education Tutor for Aberdeen City Council Outdoor Education Department for over five years. He has also worked as an Associate Instructor for many organisations including Glenmore Lodge, which is the National Outdoor Centre for Scotland.
Mike's qualifications include Mountain Instructor Award (MIA), BCU Level 4 coach award, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Scottish Rafting Association Trip Leader & Raft Guide, Mountain Bike Leader, Alpine Ski Leader, Dry Slope Ski Instructor and Winter Mountain Leader training.
 Alan Thompson, Sea kayaking technical advisor
Alan has over 20 years rock climbing and mountaineering experience throughout Europe, South America, New Zealand and Australia. More recently he has focused his energies on backcountry skiing and has undertaken many tours in Scandinavia (including Arctic Norway), European Alps and New Zealand. During the “non snow" periods Alan spends a lot of time sitting in a sea kayak! After paddling in many worldwide locations, including 2000km along the West Coast of Canada, Alan still rates Scotland as his favourite kayaking venue. Alan has been teaching and instructing for over 10 years, and has worked for various outdoor centres as well as lecturing in Outdoor Studies at Aberdeen College. Alan has also undertaken periods of freelance instruction and guiding work including teaching sea kayaking for a summer in Norway. Alan is currently teaching in schools in Aberdeen when he is not out and about with us.
Alan’s main qualifications include PGCE (Outdoor Activities), Mountain Instructor Award (MIA), Winter Mountain Leader, Level 4 Sea Kayak, Nordic Ski Leader and Mountain bike leader. Alan is Adventure First's technical advisor for sea kayaking.
 Paul Horsfield
Paul is a highly enthusiastic and experienced outdoor professional. He has over 10 years of experience in outdoor activities and is regularly found floating down rivers in his canoe or kayak or heading to the hills on his mountain bike. Paul has been kayaking and mountaineering throughout Europe and further afield. Paul spent time in the Armed Forces where he was involved in several exciting outdoor expeditions in the Alps and climbed the 3 highest peaks in New Zealand! He is currently a full time Outdoor Instructor working for ourselves and the local council's Outdoor Education Department.
Paul's qualifications include BCU level 3 Kayak and Canoe coach, Raft guide, Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader training, Single Pitch Award, Alpine and Nordic ski leader, Mountain Bike Leader, Level 3 Coach Inland Kayak (and personal 4 Star), Level 3 Coach Canoe (and personal 4 Star) Raft guide level.
 David Birch
David enjoys a whole array of outdoor activites, but most enjoys being cold! He can frequently be found walking, skiing or climbing in and around the Cairngorms and further afield. Recent trips include seasons in the European Alps and ski-mountaineering in Norway. He has been working in the outdoor industry for five years. David is heavily involved in youth work, supporting adventurous activities throughout the UK. David currently divides his working life between teaching and the outdoor industry.
David's qualifications include PGDE (Geography), Single Pitch Award, Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader Training, Surf Life Saving Award, Swiftwater Rescue Technician and Trail Cycle Leader Training.
 Alistair Beeley
Alistair is a highly experienced and travelled outdoor enthusiast. In his slightly younger years, he started running half marathons and competing in hill races, triathlons and biathlons. He then took up hill walking when he moved to Aberdeen over thirty years ago. He can often be found in the mountains either walking, biking or climbing when he is not being kept busy by his four grandchildren! Alistair has had an impressive mountaineering career with ascents made all over the world including Mt Blanc (highest mountain in Europe) and ascents of some of the classic alpine peaks such as the Matterhorn and Mt Rosa. Further afield Alistair has climbed Mt McKinley, Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya and Mera Peak in Nepal which rises to a height of 6654m.
Alistair has been involved with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme as a volunteer for over 15 years teaching expedition and navigation skills to various school groups in the area. Over the last few years he has also worked for World Challenge, leading successful expeditions to Costa Rica, Bolivia, Honduras, Ladakh and India. Alistair also currently works as a part time tutor for Aberdeen City Council Outdoor Education Department and has worked extensively with groups throughout the city over the last 10 years.
Alistair's qualifications include Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader Training, Single Pitch Award Training, Climbing Award Training, Trail Cycle Leader, Mountain Bike Leader Training, and Raft Guide Level 1. |
Activities
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