Meet the Krankin’ Team!
We have an awesome team of very skilled riders coaching the Krankin' Kids each term. Our coaches all have one thing in common - they’re extremely passionate about mountain biking! A varied bunch, they have many different skills and experiences between them. Have a read and get to know more about them here…
Emma Bawtree
Krankin’ Kids Director and Senior Coach
Emma is passionate about riding her bike, and has been riding mountain bikes for over 20 years! Emma has a strong background of racing, six of those years racing on the National Mountain Bike Circuit. Emma started Krankin’ Kids 10 years ago after recognising a demand for junior mountain bike coaching. Emma loves the fact that the programme has been met with such enthusiasm from so many junior riders, and is looking forward to many more terms of fun and good times on two wheels!
Qualifications:
NZOIA MTB Level 1 & 2 and an NZOIA Assessor
PMBIA Level 1
PHEC
Brent Hartshorne
Safety Officer and Senior Coach
With more than 30 years of riding experience, Brent brings exceptional knowledge, skill, and passion to every session. His genuine love for mountain biking is infectious, inspiring young riders to challenge themselves and build confidence on the trails.
As our Safety Officer, Brent plays a vital role in ensuring every programme is delivered to the highest standard — combining fun, progression, and professionalism with a strong focus on safety. His experience and enthusiasm foster a positive, supportive environment where riders of all levels can thrive.
When not coaching, you’ll likely find Brent at his second home, The Gorge MTB Park, enjoying the trails alongside his loyal dog, Tarn.
PMBIA Level 1
PHEC
Emma Gray
Operations Manager and Senior Coach
From keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes to seizing every chance to hit the trails, Emma brings big energy, warmth and a serious love of adventure to the Krankin’ Kids team. She’s in her element connecting with whānau, inspiring young riders, and helping them push beyond their comfort zones. You’ll spot her red-faced on the climbs but don’t be fooled. If it involves mountain summits, navigation, adventure racing or a fast downhill - she’s all in!
NZOIA Bush Level 1
PHEC
NELSON-TASMAN COACHES
Lucas Malham
Senior Coach - Nelson, Richmond & Kaiteriteri
Lucas has been riding bikes since the age of 2. A true early talent, and one of the first ever shredders to take on Krankin’ Kids now 10 years ago. Passionate about racing, Lucas’ main discipline is downhill where he thrives on speed and precision taking out the title of 2025 NZ Schools National Champ in both downhill and enduro. Beyond competition, Lucas simply loves riding bikes, going fast and giving back to the next generation of shredders. After all, he was in their shoes not too long ago.
Joel D’Ercole
Senior Coach - Nelson and Richmond
If you hear someone celebrating louder than the kids at the bottom of the trail… that’s probably Joel. Joel’s been riding long enough to know the lines, the shortcuts, and exactly how many snacks a young shredder really needs.
Joel loves Nelson tech but will never say no to a buttery flow trail. He’s all about building confidence, stacking small wins, and turning “I can’t” into “Did you see that?!” His coaching style is progressive and prescriptive — meaning every kid gets guidance that actually fits them, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Powered by dad jokes and genuine stoke, Joel brings warmth, fun, and a big dose of encouragement to every session.
Ben Cooper
Senior Coach - Nelson, Richmond and Kaiteriteri
Ben is the coach you want when the trail turns steep, slippery, and full of roots. A true tech-trail enthusiast, he thrives on the kind of riding that makes most people hesitate - and he’ll teach you how to love it too. If you want to level up your technical skills, stay smooth under pressure, and learn to ride with laser-sharp confidence, Ben’s your guy!
NZOIA MTB Level 1 & 2
PHEC
Baxter Mosey-Reid
Junior Coach - Nelson and Richmond
Baxter is a recent graduate and an outstanding new addition to our coaching team. He brings great energy to our younger riders where his enthusiasm and supportive coaching style really shine. With a calm, easygoing vibe on the trails, Baxter helps his groups feel relaxed, confident, and ready to have fun.
We’re stoked to have him on board and excited to see what lies ahead for Bax.
Dylan Sutherland
Junior Coach - Nelson and Richmond
Dylan is a chilled, detail‑focused rider who lives for downhill, tech, and anything that gets him into that perfect flow state on two wheels. Whether he’s threading clean lines or sending jumps with confidence, he brings a calm, collected energy to every ride. As a coach, Dylan thrives on helping the next generation progress. He breaks skills down into the small details that build real confidence and unlock progression, creating a relaxed environment where riders feel supported, confident, and excited to push their limits.
Harley He
yward
Junior Coach - Nelson and Richmond
Harley LOVES riding bikes! Whether he’s lapping local tracks with friends or racing some of the toughest tracks and events New Zealand has to offer, Harley is all about having fun on two wheels, pushing his limits and inspiring others to do likewise.
Zoe Bonny
Junior Coach - Richmond and Kaiteriteri
Zoe is an enthusiastic, passionate, and super motivated young rider across all disciplines of cycling. From adventure racing, to downhill mountain biking to touring the length of the South Island. Zoe loves exploring and getting out for epic missions as much as her busy schedule allows! Her positivity is contagious, and her riders are always encouraged with a beaming smile and an earful of chatter. Zoe’s fav part of coaching is seeing young riders grow their confidence and have a fantastic time on their bikes!
James Maurice
Junior Coach - Nelson
James loves having fun on his bike and is always eager to learn new things. Whether it’s exploring new trails, developing his riding skills, or expanding his coaching knowledge, James seizes every opportunity to grow and challenge himself. James was drawn to coaching as he’s eager to share his passion with the next generation and help young riders build confidence, learn new skills and discover the joy that life on two wheels brings.
Mackenzie Marsh
Junior Coach - Nelson
For Mackenzie, nothing beats that moment of clipping into the pedals, pointing the bike downhill and feeling the adrenaline kick in. Having ridden since he was 5, MTBing has become a mix of fitness, fun, challenge and connection with friends and family. A passionate coach and competitive racer, Mackenzie loves sharing what he’s learnt and seeing younger shredders build skills, confidence and a love for riding week after week.
Sam Bryant
Junior Coach - Richmond
Sam's passion for riding bikes is what drives him. He loves the excitement of getting out on the trails, challenging himself and continually working towards new goals, races and competitions. With a naturally competitive spirit and a genuine love for the sport, Sam is always keen to push his riding to the next level.
Just as importantly, Sam loves sharing that passion with others. He's excited to help the next generation of young riders build their skills, grow in confidence and discover what they're capable of on two wheels. Seeing others progress, have fun and develop their own love for riding is all part of what makes coaching so rewarding.
Isaac Milner
Junior Coach - Nelson and Richmond
Isaac has slotted seemlessly into our coaching team with his enthusiasm for riding, and fun-loving and caring attitude with the young shredders. He loves riding and racing bikes and feels that the Nelson trails are some of the best around!! He enjoys showing people around this incredible asset and watching riders progress, so they can explore more of the incredible riding scene both locally and abroad :D
Monique Hopkins
Junior Coach - Richmond
Monique loves mountain biking! For her, every ride is a new challenge pushing her mentally and physically, helping her build resilience and reminding her just how powerful it feels to keep progressing.
Monique loves helping riders grow in confidence, skills and enjoy shredding even more. The best part? Seeing others progress and feel proud of what they’ve achieved!
BLENHEIM COACHES
Fred de Zwart
Senior Coach - Blenheim
Fred has been riding mountain bikes since before they existed!! He started mountain biking at high school and raced through university. He landed a job as a bike mechanic before spending 6 months cycle touring around Europe. Scotland was also blessed with this bike mechanic before he returned to NZ.
Now, with a family full of keen riders, he loves exploring all the amazing trails we’ve got in this part of the world.
Kat de Zwart
Junior Coach - Blenheim
Kat loves spending time helping young people build confidence, skills, and teamwork whilst having serious fun along the way. She brings loads of energy, enthusiasm and outdoor experience to every session - be it mountain biking, on the football pitch or through her involvement in emergency services. Kat’s eagerness to support young people on MTB’s has her working with both our Mini Shredders and older ones, always returning home to a big plate of lasagne after a BIG day on the trails!
KRANKIN’ KIDS TRAINEES 2026
Nelson Trainees 2026: James Maurice, Mia Crisp, Mackenzie Marsh & Sam Bryant (left)
Blenheim Trainees 2026: Keegan Ireland, Rory Walter & Mitch Sigmund (right)
