The machines_downunder Community

'machines_downunder' is a movement and community of outdoor enthusiasts like its founder Thomas Lenzenhofer that create their own outdoor adventures. People like him have been involved in Endurance and Adventure Sports for many years, spending thousands of dollars and countless hours competing in officially organised events. Not only did people like him accumulate a wealth of knowledge and experience about products and competing in endurance sports throughout this time, but they all came to the same realisation as a result:

Adventure starts with Yourself - You can create Your own, Anywhere, Anytime.
Organised events are good but DIY is better in the long run.
Adventure is only limited by Your imagination and creativity.

Thomas's goal for this community is two-fold:

Encourage a movement of self-empowerment that allows everyone and anyone to create their own adventure for themselves, their family and friends, only limited by one's own creativity.
Share the experience and knowledge of our team with everyone that wants to join this movement and provide tips for the best suitable products for one's own outdoor pursuits.

Thomas 'the machine'

Known by his friends and colleagues for his endurance, Austria born Thomas is the original Machine with more than 25 years experience in endurance and multi-sport events. Several years of competitive road cycling starting at the age of 15 was followed by more than 15 years of competing in Triathlons of all shapes and sizes - including 10 Ironman and 3 Ultra-Triathlon distances. Over the past 25 years, Thomas has completed countless bike races, Marathons, Triathlons and Trail-Runs in Europe before adding Rogaining (X-Country Navigation), Adventure Racing, Caving, Kayaking, Abseiling, Canyoning and Multi-Day hiking adventures to the list of regular activities since his arrival in Australia in 2000.

Dave 'Flimpyhead'

Embracing the Outdoors since his early childhood, Dave has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the Australian bush and beautiful places around the country. From Cycling, Running, Swimming and Triathlon to Hiking, Rogaining, Kayaking and Canyoning - Dave has done it all and for more years than anyone can remember. He is not only a true pioneer when it comes to inventing 'home-made' endurance challenges for his group of friends, he also takes an unsurpassed relaxed approach to all tasks through which everyone in the team has learned the true meaning of Enjoying the Journey rather than racing towards the finish line.

Gunter 'G-House'

In true German fashion, Gunter is reliable like a well-oiled machine. As a long-standing member of the machines_downunder, he has gained many years of experience in Australian bush adventures such as Mountain Biking, Abseiling and Canyoning and Hiking/Camping - just to name a few. Never afraid to tackle a new challenge, his nerves of steel result in keeping a cool head and focused on the task at hand amidst any difficulty faced 'out there'.

ORLANDO 'THE DOC'

A true Colombian machine whose medical skills as a doctor are always appreciated by anyone in the team. Focused primarily on rough activities such as Canyoning, Mountain Biking and multi-day hikes, Orlando takes coping and perseverance under difficult circumstances to the next level.

Dinesh 'THE Gear-man'

Originally just an ordinary guy who left his home on weekends for no other reason than to go to the local shops, Dinesh got hooked on the outdoor adventures of the machines_downunder team more than 12 years ago. Inspired by his earlier work colleague Thomas (The Machine), he proudly counts Mountain and Road cycling, multi-day hiking/camping in the wild, swimming and canyoning to his regular activities. Not only is he a passionate writer (http://www.earth340k.com), he is also passionate about buying only the best kit for his adventure pursuits, earning him the nickname of 'The Gear-Man'.

STEVE 'THE TANK'

Steve could also be called the Running Man, as his experience in running adventures goes back several decades. His love for the bush brought him to team machines_downunder many years ago and he is a regular face on Abseil, Canyoning, Rogaining and other home-made crazy adventures.

Vadim 'THE businessman'

Vadim has given smart casual outfit in the bush a whole new meaning. Always dressed up nicer than anyone else, people wonder if he goes on a business meeting or really into a canyon. The 'Businessman' joined the team almost 10 years ago and has a focus on Rope activities. Vadim's attention to detail and thinking outside the box drive his desire for research in finding cheaper and even home made alternatives for various bush and camping products than those available off the shelf in outdoor stores.

Thomas S. 'Schatto'

Thomas Schattovits is another Austrian machine, who ran his own Adventure Company in the Blue Mountains/Australia for many years before settling in South NZ. A formally trained Mountaineering guide from Austria, his adventures over many decades are too many to count and everyone in the team appreciates him sharing his skills and experiences whenever he is around. Unfortunately due to his placement in New Zealand, he is not as regularly part of our local Australian adventures as we would like to, but he sure makes use of any opportunity to team up whenever he visits Sydney.