Adventure guru Steve Gurney chases next buzz in Queenstown

29 July 2013

Adventure guru Steve Gurney chases next buzz in Queenstown

Kiwi adventure sport legend Steve Gurney is seeking a new adrenalin buzz by establishing his business in Queenstown. He has recently moved to Queenstown from Christchurch because his Redcliffs home remains red-stickered and red-zoned following the February 2011 quake.

“The Canterbury earthquakes have been stressful for many people who haven’t had claims resolved. It’s totally out of our control,” the nine-time Speight’s Coast to Coast winner says. “And one thing I’ve learned about stress, you have to separate what you can control from what you can’t. The move makes perfect sense - my brand matches and integrates so well with Queenstown the adventure paradise, and, with an increasing number of conferences visiting, it’s a great place to base myself as a motivational speaker.”

In the resort for some of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival, Gurney made a splash as he partnered with Jackie Clarke, a typically adventurous local, to take out the Birdman contest , and between out-of-town speaking engagements, squeezed in a dash in the Jelly Belly Undy 500, and took on the mountain bike mayhem and suitcase race at Coronet Peak.

“I’ve loved moving to Queenstown, I actually can’t believe I didn’t do it years ago – it’s reduced my stress levels, and I’m very happy living in an adventure playground where there’s easy access to the mountains and wilderness. Most importantly, the people are awesomely friendly and I have heaps of friends here.”

An inspirational and sought after motivational speaker, Gurney shares stories in his trademark humorous style. Most audiences want to hear how he returned from a severe and life threating illness - he contracted Leptospirosis in the jungles of Borneo - to win even more effectively in his sport. His stories are entwined research into mental excellence and resilience to provide entertaining yet thoughtful and useful keynote speech and workshop/place training material. The author of books Eating Dirt and Lucky Legs, Gurney regularly addresses national and international audiences as a motivator and expert team builder.

“Queenstown is a conference destination for many businesses, and for local conference organisers, there are no travel or accommodation expenses when they book me for a Queenstown engagement. I can provide a keynote speaking and team building or workshop service that’s relevant, local and highly accessible for conference organisers,” he says.

Gurney may have retired from competitive professional sport but he still trains everyday and enters as many events as he can - pulling a creditable podium finish at a recent kayak event with the Southern Lakes Multisport Club.

“I’m not racing to win anymore. For me, it’s more about encouraging others to come through and to build my work with businesses.”

Steve Gurney is now available for conference and business engagements.

www.stevegurney.co.nz

ENDS

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