Meet the staff

Norman Carter

The philosopher behind Up and Under, Norman has a keen competitive streak which has taken him all over the world with his triathlon, adventure races and his new love of sailing.

Sara Rhoden

The quieter of the two directors, whose ever growing enthusiasm for world travel has taken her to the dizzy heights of 6000m+, and sports diving in the Galapagos and the Barrier Reef. She has recently sailed across the Atlantic and is currently preparing for the Pacific. Sara is always enthusiastic and eager to gain new experiences.

Richard Mordy

The voice of reason on the shop floor? Richards bias is towards industrial and expedition equipment. This stems from his wide ranging experience in the fields of climbing and mountaineering. Richard has spent lots of time climbing in summer and winter throughout the U.K. and the Alps. He also has some Greater Ranges experience and has lead an expedition to Denali in Alaska. Richard has added another string to his bow and has a number of years experience as a sea kayaker, to the extent that he organises trip for local clubs and groups and has run an expedition through the more exciting waters off the Western Highlands of Scotland. This mixture of experiences as well as being an accomplished husky team driver has helped him to develop his other passion of ski mountaineering.

James Trigg

James has been working for Up and Under on an extended year out since he left college - many years ago! As a keen paddler he has paddled more new boats than he has eaten hot meals. He has vast experience of paddling in the French and Austrian Alps, however, he is more regularly found on the rivers of South Wales, or failing that in the Cardiff University Students Union bar. James has competed in slalom, where he reached the top of Division 3 and Whitewater racing regularly entering races on the Teifi, Taff and Dart. He has also competed in several marathons including the Exe Descent where he came in as the third Junior, and the Liffey Descent. James' main competiveness for now takes the form of polo in which he is a founder member of the OFB (old fat bastards) Polo team.

James' favourite river is the Mellte, but he also likes to regularly paddle the Usk. He has also paddled in Scotland and North Wales with a group of friends from the Cardiff Kayakers.

Chris Shorrock

Chris has worked at Up and Under for around 10 years. He was originally brought in as a part-time member of the sales staff. However, he began the ball rolling for the building of this website by enlisting the services of Duncan Irving. Duncan with the help of Chris developed the site until the start of the current Millenium. With Duncans departure, Chris' main priority is the continued improvement of the site and internal IT and stock control systems. He also has input (both valid and not) regarding ranging throughout the shop.

Chris began walking near his home in the Lake District after having been carried around the hills in a papoose for a few years over 30 years ago. He advanced to rock climbing about 18 years ago (generally operating into the lower extremes) and now has a large amount of U.K. winter and Alpine summer and winter seasons behind him. More recently Chris has caught the travelling bug and is keen to chat about various parts of the world that he has visited or is keen to visit.

Jean Oestreich

As our longest serving staff member Jean has lots of experience in the world of outdoor retail. She tends to deal mainly with outdoor centre and group accounts and is therefore a rare sighting on the shop floor. However, her wide-ranging knowledge means that she is also an important part of the sales team.

Dave Bingham

Dave is one of our footwear and electronics specialists, so contact him with your tricky GPS, altimeter and digital mapping enquiries. A love affair of the mountains commenced in 1979 with hill walking in the Peak District progressing on to Munro-bashing, back-packing, scrambles in North Wales, rock climbing, and mountaineering in Scotland, the European Alps and the Greater Ranges. He has topped out on Mera Peak (6476m) in Nepal and Spantik (7027m) in Pakistan, and in 2004 Cho Oyu (8201m) and enjoys giving advice on the high altitude experience. A return to Pakistan in 2007 was sadly marred by avalanche problems high on the mountain, but trekking in the K2 area was fantastic! Dave has trekked also in Nepal and Morocco. He became a holder of the Mountain Leader Award (Summer) in 2003 and is qualified through Lyon Equipment to sell PPE for work at height.

Cathy O'Connor

Cathy has been working at Up & Under on and off for over 10 years, but the traveling bug keeps taking hold of her. This has meant lots of prolonged exotic holidays and work all over the world, including lots of outdoor instruction and group work. Her range of experiences include voluntary work and trekking in Patagonia and throughout South America, sailing instruction in Australia and throughout Europe, backpacking and climbing in New Zealand and Thailand. When she is present at Up & Under you can question her about most outdoor activities and you can always be sure of a friendly smile and plenty of helpful advice.

Ben Carter

After gaining his BSc in Computing (with artificial intelligence) from Leeds University Ben has upgraded to eshop support and Admin overlord at Up & Under. He has been integral to the design of our new shop fronts (along with images from Mark Salter of www.marksalterimages.co.uk). In terms of shop floor help Ben is keen to talk forever on the training aspects of climbing and loves bouldering, freerunning, capoeira and is qualified through Lyon Equipment to sell PPE for work at height. As well as an active rock climber he is a keen practitioner of winter sports especially snow boarding as well as being chased by young ladies (apparently).

Andy Foster

Andy joined us in early 2008 and has already made a big impact on the customers, impressing them with his extensive knowledge of products. He has a particular interest in light weight equipment. Watch him breaking out the scales when new gear arrives! He has a wide experience of rock climbing and alpinism having ascended many hard alpine routes.

Elan Winter

After a protracted length of time at Cardiff University, Elan joined the staff late in 2008 to head up the new Up and Under Watersports store at Cardiff Marine Village on Penarth Rd. He has a wealth experience in teaching and coaching various outdoor sports after spending time at Dolygaer OEC, but his main background is waterbased. He started paddling aged nine with Aberfan Canoe Club and never looked back, the South Wales rivers and Canoe Polo pitches are his normal haunt. Numerous trips on the best of British rivers and to the French, Swiss, Austrian and Italian Alps are his first love, however, Canoe Polo now takes up too much time. After spells representing Wales Youth and Senior Polo teams as well a a brief jaunt with the GB u21 Squad, playing wise Elan now competes with St Albans in Div 1, whilst still representing Aberfan in various regional leagues. Coaching also plays an inportant role, coaching various local clubs, culminating in coaching the GB Ladies team to World Championship glory in 2008.

Jon Allen

With lots of paddling, caving, climbing and industrial access experience Jon is a man for all seasons. Add to this his large amount of qualifications and instructional experience means that you can ask Jon almost anything.

Steve Beckwith

The new (and significantly improved) version of Jess. Following Jess’ decommissioning (and environmentally responsible disposal) Steve has taken over the running of the Eshop. Steve aims to ensure the same high standards of service, efficiency and advice that have come to be expected from the former Up and Under Eshop staff. Steve has climbed a couple of the Classic North Faces of the European Alps (and retreated off a few more) as well as doing a bit of high altitude alpinism in the Peruvian Andes and big walling in Yosemite and Malaysia. Catch up with more about Steves trip to Malaysia in Climb November 2009 and Alpinist 29 and on this website in the fulness of time hopefully.

John Morris

Deliveries guru! John paddles with Rhondda Paddlers and enjoys a rich and varied country life. He also keeps fit rushing to the front of the shop, heaving those delivery boxes to the back of the shop and unpacking them in super-quick time so that all your favourite products are on the shelf in time, all being well!

Jess Jordan

Saturday and holiday staff Jess is a keen paddler who has spent time in the Alps as well as on U.K. rivers.

Ami Freeman

Saturday and holiday staff who helps with deliveries on saturdays, but is also a useful addition to our climbing, walking and travel departments.

Mike Napier

Saturday and holiday staff with a specialism in kayaking. Mike has travelled extensively following his love of the white stuff.

Tom Lia

Saturday and holiday staff that has loads of experience of all types of caving. Quizz him on caving throughout the U.K. and abroad or his favoured SRT set up.

Kate Owen

Saturday and holiday staff with a penchant for climbing, Dartmoor and tarting up displays. Come in to chat to her about Chudleigh or harrang her about Haytor.

Beth Frugtniet

Saturday climbing star Beth is the one for all your rockshoe and harness advice as well as help on how to become a youthful rock star.