, Kalpitiya&service_currency=EUR&service_price=80&service_percentage=100&service_logo=http://www.xtremespots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Snapshot.png&service_email=d.kreissel@googlemail.com){kind=link}
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Nicholi Rogatkin
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Massachusetts USA
FOLLOW ME
www.georgeouzounis.com
Date of birth:
1987.03.15
Hometown:
Athens, Greece
Sponsors:
Rip Curl,
Hobbies:
Snowboarding, Surfing, Skateboarding, Hiking
Favourite athletes:
Jamie Lynn, Terje Haakonsen, Travis Rice, Jeremy Jones, Xavier Delerue, Nicolas Muller, JP Auclair, Dimitris ‘Frits’ Papakonstantinou, Vassilis ‘Fasolias’ Karageorgiou, George Felekis, Mike Styllas, Jo Manta and many more that inspire me.
BIO
I was born in a big City. As an active and curious kid of adventuring and exploration I heard of snowboarding and got stuck with it at the age of 10. After trying it I fell in love with it. Mount Parnassos became my home mountain. As a big fan of jumps it drove me into the backcountry world. Nowadays I am more into hiking, freeriding the backcountry and exploring new mountains. Today I still live in Athens and I am in the search of all the Greek unexplored Mountains.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
Exposing the beauty of the Greek Mountains and Greece’s winter season.
What would be your greatest achievement?
Knowing every time how far we can take it according team’s limitations and unforeseen factors.
In other words: Coming back home safe- as JP Auclair had said.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
Listening, Seeing, Feeling. Mountains don’t belong to us. We belong to the mountains.
Weather change and snow conditions are some of the factors that we have to be careful of. Mountains speak to us in many ways. We can’t change the rules, we have to go with it.
Working on our skills is hard and it can’t be done on our own. We need the right time and the right people. I also believe that every single Greek mountain has the Gods within. We have to listen to the messages they send us for protection. So, going with it snowboarding becomes an unbelievable game of confronting, of challenging and of life.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
The Journey. A hike can be a lifetime’s journey compressed in smaller timeframes. Obstacles are on our way. Will we stop? Weather can change. Will we fall back? Snow looks different from a closer look. Will we change our route?
This is the satisfaction of it. Waking up our ingenuity, being creative, facing our insecurities, breaking through our fears and many more. The riding is just the result of the journey.
A mix of all the emotions and feelings together, makes us satisfied on that journey-
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
Snowboarding is not just a sport it is a way of life and can be practiced from everyday living. Everything connects with each other when we are on the mountains and life can give us similar situations for snowboarding.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
Visualizing – Something that has already been seen before we have ever done it. Everything is possible.
As a big fan of building jumps and finding new spots, for the built of “ouzo gap” (more info here) step down with friends, it has taken us a little longer than any other jump to start building. I was standing still for 40 minutes, at the edge of the rock, watching the gap and the landing. It was the time I needed to visualize it since I had no past experience on going that big and that fast.
In Greece, the riding level is low as we do not benefit from any major infrastructure such as big snow parks, half pipes, etc. and it makes it a little bit more difficult. There are great tools to use to improve but we don’t. We can make it a lot easier. 40 minutes of time can help someone visualize things.
I saw it before I had done it. Our mind is the greatest, the most powerful and the most incredible tool we have but we still have to be careful with it. It can easily fool us. Once we start learning how to use it, we can start believing, much bigger, much faster.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
I am not into competitions. I join for the people and the fun.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
The ones giving love. The more we give, the more we receive. It is a vice versa human communication that keeps us strong and alive.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
-It is better to be over equipped than under equipped- when I first heard this, having the wrong mentality for mountaineering, it was by Costis Gortzis and I didn’t really realize what he really meant…
Mount Olympus was a unique experience when I went for the first time (more info here). Taking “ski resort’s“ mentality out there was a huge mistake. Everything in my mind about the mountains changed after that trip.
Moving out of the ski resorts and taking higher risks needs a different mentality. Realizing that the mountains are the real leaders and they lead our path. Predicting the unpredictable makes us want to take more than less with us.
What are your future plans?
Olympus and Timfi are the most beautiful mountains I‘ve been so far in my life. There are many other on the list. Vardousia and Crete are few of the next ones.
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Listen, watch and learn from the ones who have already done it.
Last but not least – Be Grateful for every single moment (good or bad) of your journey, anything, anyone and any situation.
Thank you All!
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?
RELATED PACKAGES
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ALL PACKAGES
5 Day Tour Peloponnese Adventure
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Greece, Kalamata, Messinia, Peloponnese Region
Period of operation: Year round * except river trekking in Neda (day 2) available from June to September.
Duration: 5 days (4 nights).
Activities: Hiking, River Trekking, Sea Kayaking, Scuba Diving.
Skill level: Suitable for all skill levels.
Minimum participants: 4.
Minimum age: 8 y/o *except river trekking in Neda, minimum age 12 y/o.
Price: You could choose activities you prefer from this package. Send us your request and let us know which activity you want to do and how many days so as to set the price
The wonderful evergreen region of Messinia is located in Southwestern Peloponnese. With its peaceful and unspoiled lands, seductive beaches, lush gorges, stately castles and impressive ancient sites, this place is a must explore spot.
Our journey consists of some of the best activities and historical sites in the Messinia region. South of the Messinia region, starting from the Neda river and the stunning Temple of Apollo Epicurius or the Parthenon of Peloponnese.
Day 1. Pick up from Athens or Kalamata airport to Kalamata
Kalamata is the capital city of the Messinia region with numerous historical and cultural sites as well as a beautiful seafront and a vibrant nightlife. We get settled in at the hotel and have the rest of the day off to get to know each other, go sightseeing, eat great food, enjoy a refreshing cocktail and prepare for the next day.
Day 2. –River Trekking in Neda (summer season only from June to September): 4 hours (from Kalamata to temple of Apollo and Neda)
Neda river lies on the borders of Ilia and Messinia region and is the only river in Greece with a feminine name. Driving from Kalamata, before we reach Neda river we make a stop at the stunning Temple of Apollo Epicurius or the Parthenon of Peloponnese.
Arriving at the spot where our river trek starts, the breathtaking scenery will definitely amaze you. As we trek through the river gorge, we pass through narrow cliff openings no more than 1.5m wide at some points where we have to swim crossing stone bridges and underwater caves until we reach the spectacular Neda waterfalls. After the activity, we set off to Kardamili where we spend the night.
Day 3 – Sea Kayaking – Hiking Kardamili in Mani Messinia: 5-6 hours with breaks
Sea Kayaking
Once we arrive at our activity base, we get our kayaks and begin to enjoy an excursion at the foot of mount Taygetos where each little cove hides a special surprise. Hidden caves, cliffs with spectacular formations and unique beaches such as the well hidden beach of Foneas with the white pebbles or the beach of Kalogria with fine golden sand and turquoise waters. The beach of Kalogria is also known as the beach of Zorbas, as this was the place where writer Nikos Kazantzakis met his hero of his book, Zorba the Greek. Halfway we make a stop for swimming, snorkeling and a picnic with local traditional delicacies.
Hiking
Our tour starts from the fortified tower houses of old Kardamili as we follow the path that once was part of the ancient so called ‘’royal road’’, connecting Kardamili with Sparta. Along the way, we walk through the narrow streets of the traditional villages as we learn about their history. A small break for a healthy picnic with traditional local delicacies gives us an additional supply of energy. A burst of colors and fragrances of flowers and herbs overwhelm us and bring us even closer to the natural environment. We walk through an easy route, sometimes a stone built path and sometimes a shady pathway, immersed in olive trees, pines and cypress trees.
Day 4. Scuba Diving Kardamili in Mani Messinia. DSD Course for beginners or an Exciting Dive for Certified divers: 3 hours
What a great way to Discover Scuba Diving (also called DSD ). This is an application of recreational diving in which an un-certified diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. Arriving at Kalogria beach we set foot on the diving center where we prepare ourselves for a dive. The dive site has an amazing sandy bottom with crystal clear visibility and offers many surprises to explore such as grass lands, caverns and rocky reefs. The area is also characterized by fresh water springs which emerge from underground caverns into the sea-floor.
If you are a certified diver we can schedule a exciting dive from the shore or boat.
Day 5. Messinia to Athens or Kalamata Airport
What is Included in the price:
Car transportation – fuel- tolls.
Accommodation in local guesthouses and/or hotels with breakfast for 5 days/4 nights*.
Certified guide throughout the 5 day activities.
All the necessary equipment.
Photos from the activities.
Liability Insurance.
*We can also arrange for you to stay in 4-5 star hotels. In this case, price varies depending on the season and the hotel.
*If you already have your own car, contact us for more details on the activity schedule and price.
What to bring with you:
Comfortable clothes.
Swim suites (at least 2 pairs).
Sun glasses / sun screen / hat.
Towels.
Extra pair of shoes that will get wet. Suitable shoes are lightweight trainers, sandals or sea shoes. Avoid bulky shoes.
The schedule of the tour, may change in case of bad weather conditions.
Meet your Guide:
Antonis Vintos
- Padi Scuba Diving Instructor
- Rafting Guide
- River Trekking / Hiking Guide
- Sea Kayak guide
Antonis is into action sports since a very young age. Despite living in the city, he has never been a city boy. He studied Electrical Engineering; however, his real passion is nature and outdoor activities. Everything started when he first got his feet on a snowboard. From that moment on, he couldn’t wait for the weekend to come and leave the city.
Traveling is also a big passion for Antonis. While travelling in South East Asia, he got interested in scuba diving and guess what! He is a PADI scuba instructor now. The element of water is everywhere in his life. Since 2005 he is a Rafting, River Trekking, Hiking guide but even that was not enough!
Sea Kayaking was coming his way, so he did that too and now he is a 3 star BCU (British Canoeing Union) paddler. But that’s not all. He has tried everything from surfing to sailing, windsurfing to climbing (and babysitting as well !!!)
Special techniques:
- Positive energy.
- Good looks.
- He gets really really, REALLY enthusiastic once in the outdoors.
More facts: Studied Electrical Engineering in Greece and took his Masters degree in London U.K. Works as an engineer since 2002. During the winter season, he goes snowboarding and at least once a year he travels somewhere far away from home.
What else… his friends call him little Antony because they say he will never grow up. Want to meet him? E-mail us for more info on the amazing South Peloponnese Adventure Tour!
The 5 day activity tour in Peloponnese is organized with the cooperation of major outdoor activity companies in the Messinia Region.
€
370
Starting from 370€/person. You could choose activities you prefer from this package. Send us your request and let us know which activity you want to do and how many days so as to set the price
REQUEST
Canyoning Mills, Attica
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Attica Region, Greece
The canyon of the Mills is located on the Alkyonides bay. The exit of the canyon is located next to the place called Mavrolimni. It is a typical narrow crack rock in 50 meters distance from the road.
The approach of the canyon’s entry is done by dirt road (2.5 km), which starts 500 m after the exit of Mavrolimni. The canyon has 13 rappel descends that does not exceed 10 meters and one big descend of 25 meters.
The canyon starts in the open field and continues narrowing impressively until the end. Water runs through the canyon from November till the end of spring.
€
50
REQUEST
