NORTH STORM® AMBASSADOR KEV SMITH OF WOOLGOOLGA OFFROAD
For the past 30 years Kev Smith of Woolgoolga Offroad, has been chasing his passion with the great outdoors.
He has worked with TV crews on destination stories.
Alongside some top names within the 4 wheel drive industry creating off road DVD’s.
Kev also submits 4 wheel drive and camping destination stories for national magazines.
Kev has been known to show high profile groups around the stunning areas of his local area on the Coffs Harbour Coast.
He is also a keen fisherman, who still holds several sports fishing records!
This was when Kev was chasing big game fish around the Hawaiian Islands.
But now he just enjoys flicking light gear around snags at home for a bit of fun.
KEV’S ACHIEVEMENTS
But Kev’s achievements definitely don’t end there!
With an array of off-road competitions under his belt, photography awards, a mile of sporting awards PLUS 4 wheel drive industry achievements, he just does not stop!
Working for a national outdoors camping store he was extremely proactive.
Winning multiple national camping awards, initiating a host of in-store magazine articles and climbing the corporate ladder.
After setting a high standard, he then moved onto a national 4 wheel drive store.
Here Kev published his own guide on 4 wheel driving and camping destinations, referring to the North Coast of NSW.
It was about now that Kev was going to retire, but since pulling the pin on work, his passion for all things outdoors hasn't ceased.
With a truck load of new places to explore and to report on he is now travelling full-time around Australia doing mapping work for HEMA.
Did we mention that in addition he writes for a local Coffs Harbour magazine aiming at the amazing history that once was around the Coffs Coast too!
Kev has been lucky enough to have travelled extensively throughout Australia chasing new and exciting destinations.
Included in the travels there have also been several outback trips.
Where Kev has been the support vehicle for groups of off-road motorbikes traversing the outback desert dunes well off the beaten trails.
Before social media started, Kev also started an online humble blog.
Sharing his passion for his adventures and freely sharing to anyone that would listen.
Always one to help others, he created this website to share his travels and knowledge.
Kev offers advice for anything off-road or for those little hidden camping spots or secret swimming holes.
Where he likes nothing better than hiking up a gorge or down into a rainforest pocket to shoot beautiful waterfalls.
Tackling some of the great walks of Tasmania, Kev is getting ramped up for some overnight hikes across the island.
It seems wherever he goes there’s always a lake to paddle across, a dip in a cooling river, a hike up a mountain or just simply tackle some of the hardest tracks that he can find.
But aside from that, he mentioned there’s nothing better than sitting around a campfire at night listening to the different sounds that come out at night.
Happy to tackle any obstacle thrown his way and then sit back to enjoy the serenity with a beer in his hand.
Watching the campfire crackle, and ponder about what’s on tomorrow's adventure list.
We are so stoked and honoured to have Kev Smith of Woolgoolga Offroad on our team at North Storm®!
With so much knowledge and experience of adventure he is truly an asset to our team.
MORE ABOUT KEV
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF EXPLORING AUSTRALIA?
Unfortunately not, all of my interests revolve around the outdoors.
From hiking, fishing, kayaking, all adventure activities, I am big on 4 wheel driving, camper, general explorer and blogger.
Oh – but only if I’m close to the ground not 2000 feet high, that skydiving stuff does my head in and is for the birds!
WHO IS YOUR IDOL, HERO? WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST?
My idol would definitely be my Dad (hard worker and never gave up), he inspired me the most in my life.
But my exploring idols are still the Leyland Bros, Malcolm Douglas of course our early explorers.
They faced so many challenges that we could never imagine today.
IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA WHERE WOULD YOU GO? AND WHY?
Oh gee, that is a bloody hard one!
But I’m definitely busting my guts to get to the remote parts of Arnhem Land where the raw beauty and remoteness is calling me.
Why? … I regard this part of Australia as part of our last frontier.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY?
I am motivated each and every day, waking up keen to either learn or see something new.
Every day makes me want to achieve more and more.
Being fit to enjoy life and everything it throws at me motivates me to keep going.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR LIFETIME? GOALS?
Realistically I want to explore until I can’t walk or talk anymore.
There is so much to see and do in this awesome land of ours.
Goals? To share my experiences to anyone who wants to listen and to make others want to get out there and enjoy adventure.
WHAT DO YOU USE YOUR NORTH STORM® GEAR FOR?
As you know I am a bloody keen 4 wheel driver and like to go off road to isolated and remote places.
I am also a hiker and photographer where I need to carry camera gear often into rugged terrain where it’s either dusty or wet.
So I must say my North Storm waterproof backpack is a lifesaver for these activities!
It is so great not having to worry about rain, waterfall spray or dust getting on my good gear.
I’ve crossed a few creeks too (fallen into a couple just quietly) and I know my North Storm waterproof bag has saved my gear.
As a 4 wheel driver, I also have a North Storm waterproof duffel bag, which occasionally gets thrown on the roof racks when we’ve got extra gear.
Having these bags I’ve never had to worry about any dust or rain that we go through when out on my travels ruining my gear.
My gear comes out clean and dry every time!
WHERE TO FIND KEV
Instagram: @woolgoolgaoffroad
Facebook: @woopioffroad
Website: www.woolgoolgaoffroad.com