Downhill Adventures was established at a time when a new optimism and freedom prevailed in Cape Town at the birth of our democracy. Our founder, Axel Zander, had recently returned from an epic journey around the world and a life of snowboarding, exploration and adventure, he returned bursting with new ideas, innovations, and a passion for the outdoor and nature sports environment.
Mission
Our mission is simple – accessible, outdoor fun in nature assisting adventurers to undertake a wild physical experience whilst acquiring a skill and sharing time with like-minded people and exploring Cape Town and beyond. We take adventurous folk away from a day-to-day treadmill into being alive!
After twenty years developing day-trips and guiding thousands of visitors into the adventure zones of the Cape, Downhill Adventures continues to be a successful, pioneering outdoor adventure company. Known as an industry leader with professional and passionate staff, we pride ourselves on providing an exciting and funfilled experience for enthusiastic outdoor orientated visitors and locals alike.
We offer well-organised, professional, exciting outdoor adventure experiences in spectacular natural environments that stimulate and inspire fun and provide a real sense of accomplishment.
A product of the eighties, when skateboarding and BMX were the norm, the seed of extreme sports was planted. Axel went on to win the South African BMX championships at age 16 and completed a degree in Psychology and Communications.
Post studies, adventure beckoned. Axel traveled the length and breadth of North America, Central and South America as well as all the highest peaks of Europe and Africa. Some of the highlights of his travels were the solo navigation down the Amazon river, starting at the Rio Orinoco in Venezuela, to the Rio Negro in Brazil, and down the Amazon; as well as first snowboard descents down some of the biggest mountains in the Alps; starting a scuba company in the Caribbean; and helping establish the first ski resort in Africa.
Eventually the pull of the Mother City drew him back. After exploring the globe, he found no other City that could match Cape Town’s spectacular natural beauty and endless possibilities for adventure opportunities.
Downhill Adventures is the embodiment of years of experience and enthusiasm for wilderness adventure and Axel’s passion for sharing it with other people.
Axel continues to live adventure, having pioneered the sport of Sandboarding in South Africa, he went on to win the Sandboarding World Championships in Germany. He is a past South African Snowboarding Champion, and recently completed an expedition to Antarctica.
If you don’t bump into him in our office, he’s probably mountain biking down Table Mountain, surfing Cape Point, or Kite surfing around Robben Island!
Our team is made up of a group of people that are passionate about the outdoors and committed to giving world-class service to fellow outdoor enthusiasts. We are friendly, enthusiastic, lively and energetic and are happy to share our skills and knowledge about the wide variety of adventure activities, the unique natural environment and our fascinatingly diverse South African culture.
As guides and instructors we are some of the most experienced and professional in Cape Town, all specialising in our own individual fields of expertise, prioritising safety, fun and learning in every adventure experience. We are knowledgable and informative and turn any adventure into a life changing experience.
If you have an idea or dream and commitment to follow through with it, in the outdoor adventure arena, we would love to partner with you and make it a reality.
Job Opportunities
If you think you have what it takes to be a part of Downhill Adventures, send a covering letter of motivation and a CV. If you are organized and have great people skills, are reliable and professional, have a real passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors and Cape Town, then we’d love to hear from you.
If you would love to be an adventure guide and don’t have the skills or qualifications, join one of our training courses to fast-track your opportunity to be apart of a leading outdoor adventure company.
