OUR FOUNDING TEAM

Connecting the Coast, One Riff and Friendly Face at a Time: That's Sean.

He's a local legend in his own right, the kind of guy who seems to know everyone you pass on the street, always ready with a wave or a quick chat that makes their day. By day, he's a teacher on the front lines at Shoalhaven High, wrangling some of its most spirited (read: delightfully challenging) kids - the very youth we're passionate about reaching. 

In his spare hours, he’s secretly shredding guitar chords, running music club, expertly crafting coffee, being a devoted husband, and juggling a million-and-one hats. For that one precious hour a week the universe affords him to climb, rest assured, chords are not the only thing he’s shredding.

A whirlwind of energy. Sean is the “Big Dog” transforming this space from a mere building into a living, breathing hub. Simply put, without Sean, we'd just be a cool idea talking to ourselves in an empty shed.

The Timber & Stone Titan: Meet Aurel, Our Secret Weapon.

You want a master carpenter who can also casually demolish some of Australia's hardest climbs? That's Aurel. He's not one for loud pronouncements; his exceptional craftsmanship and climbing prowess do all the talking.

How did this delightful partnership between Frenchman and Mexican come to be? Believe it or not, it was seeded in a local Nowra cafe. Aurel with his two girls by his side, more eager to hit the ocean than discuss wall angles, and Diego, across the table, answering a fireball of questions. From that serendipitous beginning, the foundations for the climbing + carpentry powerhouse were formed.

A heart so golden it probably sets off metal detectors, Aurel is the one who always shows up. When a problem seems insurmountable, he's the one meticulously working until a brilliant solution is found. The silent engine ensuring progress never stalls. The man's a legend, plain and simple.

Captain Contagious: Fab's Unbeatable Psyche

Get ready for Fabricio whose energy and psyche are so damn contagious, you could probably bottle it and sell it as a pre-workout (all natural, of course). If you've ever shared a rope or a crash pad with Fab at the crag, you know: the warmth and welcome are instant, making you feel like part of the family before you've even chalked up.

He’s not just bringing good vibes; he’s bringing serious know-how. With deep expertise in gym operations, route setting, training, and now Carpentry, he knows the guts of a climbing hub inside out.

He’s one of Diego’s first comrades on Aussie soil, meaning he’s been in on this glorious madness from the ground floor. Having his skills, his spirit, and his ever-present stoke on board? That’s like finding a perfect, no-hands rest just before the crux. ¡Vamos Fabricio!

He Stayed, He Smiled, He Built: Our Chilean Legend, Daniel.

Alright, gather 'round and hear tell of Daniel, the Chilean force of nature who's the spiritual keystone of this whole damn operation. He saw the vision from the absolute get-go. And when the early days got turbulent – you know, the kind of chaos that sinks most bright ideas before they even learn to float – Daniel was the human anchor. If it weren't for his unwavering belief, this Nest might still be a scribbled fantasy on a cerveza-stained napkin.

His list of skills could fill a guidebook: new father (a master of endurance and questionable sleep), rope access technician (literally knows how to hang on when things get sketchy), ultramarathon runner (because "impossible" is just a suggestion), photographer, climber, and Diego's original wingman.

But the one thing, the truly Daniel thing, that leaves its mark deeper than any climbing shoe on sandstone? That smile. Bigger than a Patagonian sunrise, more honest than a climber admitting they totally dogged that crux, and so damn contagious it should probably be classified.

He believed. He stayed. When others might have bailed, he dug his heels in. And with Linda’s monumental support, he ensured this dream had a pulse. For that, this Chilean legend and his powerhouse partner are quiet, smiling heroes who made sure this dream took flight. We owe them, big time.

Investing in Family, Future & Fermentation: Meet Lily & Lucas

This new mother—part of an awesome parenting duo (because great things often come in pairs, thanks Lucas!)—is a yoga-instructing, athlete-advocating, website-designing genius. Her impressive past includes: elite athlete, disruptor of sporting injustice, and founder of a sustainable sporting apparel business.

But beyond this impressive array of skills and initiatives, Lily's connection to The Nest runs deep. As Eliza's sister, she is the keeper of sisterly wisdom, the purveyor of honest advice, and the kind of unwavering support only blood bears. She’s the rock for those teary nights when everything feels impossible, and the spark for belly laughs only a sister can ignite. In this, Lily truly embodies the real, raw, supportive family and community spirit The Nest aims to foster.

While Lily (& Lucas) shape our present, her daughter – already lapping a 7-months-old sized climbing wall built by Diego – has future Olympian status within reach!  Having Lily, Lucas, and their mini-crusher in the flock? Priceless.

The Compass & The Oracle: Victor & Steph

Forget your average power couple.  This Venezuelan / French-Canadian duo, rocking engineer and biologist credentials, are pure, unadulterated dirtbags at heart.

Victor, the guy who’ll wear clothes until they’re 90% patch and 10% original fabric - and then unleash some masterful salsa moves in them - is our sustainability compass, keeping this whole wild ride pointed true north. And Steph? She’s the quiet powerhouse, the secret wellspring of wisdom. She might not say much, but when she drops a truth bomb, the earth trembles a little, and everyone listens.

They get it. They see the hunger, the potential, the sheer need for a place like this, because they live and breathe the stoke every single day; from the hangboard mounted in their van, to the tattered, chalk-dusted guidebook bristling with dog-ears and hopeful ticks, to the most perfectly brewed crag coffee on a frosty blue mountains morning.

These two are the embodiment of good vibes. Kind enough to share their last Clif Bar, trusting enough to believe in this wild dream, and so genuinely lovely they probably apologise to the rock holds they conquer. Indispensable? You bet your worn-out approach shoes. These two are the real deal, and we're beyond stoked to have them fuelling this fire.

Champions of Thoughtful Community & Design: The Holly & Daniel Blueprint.

Then there’s Holly and Daniel – our resident dream-weaving, down-to-earth dynamic duo, bringing a different kind of superpower to this whole shebang.

Daniel, hailing from Queensland, is our industrial design whiz – the kind of brain that sees how all the wild puzzle pieces (and people!) fit together. Whilst he’s more into chasing fish than scaling cliffs, when 'The Nest' called, he and Holly dove right in, ready to lend their smarts and creative spark.

And Holly? Originally from WA, she’s our doctor with a serious case of wanderlust and an even stronger drive to make things better. Think years of globetrotting adventures mixed with a passion for community well-being and a deep respect for Mother Earth. While she's dangled off ropes in some epic spots, it was her Shoalhaven study days that truly cemented her love for this neck of the woods. Her exploratory spirit is perfectly balanced by a fierce commitment to nurturing the community she digs so much.

Now firmly planted in the Illawarra, they’re proud to call this region home. Their love for the stunning natural tapestry of both the Illawarra and Shoalhaven – from cliffs to coasts, forests to rivers – isn't just talk; they're all about protecting and celebrating every glorious inch. Together, they’re a blend of thoughtful design, real-world smarts, and a whole lotta heart. Having this dream duo on board is like finding a perfectly placed bolt on a terrifyingly blank slab. Solid gold, these two.