Indian Ocean Rowing

Rower 2: Matthew Hampel
Age: 32
Education: Northumbria University - BSc Hons Business & IT
Nickname: Manbag
Key strengths: Cooking, bad jokes
Interests: All things Telecom, Sport
Key influences: Delia Smith, Will Farrel

Matt was born in Suffolk but spent the early part of his life in Norfolk.  He attend Earlham High School in Norwich.  Not renowned for its academic achievement, Matt threw himself into all things sport and managed to represent the school in 8 different sports captaining 5 of the sides. 

Matt left school with only 1 GCSE but with a belief that he knew it all.  Who needs qualifications?  With that in mind he headed off to seek his fortune in London.  After two years working in pubs and bars Matt made his way back to Norwich to gain some qualifications.  After three years at college he managed to find a University or two that thought it a wise idea to offer him a place.  Matt followed in his big brothers shoes and headed off to Newcastle where after three years of a lot of fun, a lot of Hockey, an enormous amount of time on the Nintendo 64 and the odd bit of work, he managed to graduate with honours in Business and IT. 

After six years working in the UK Matt headed off for a new life in the US with his girlfriend.  Matt never quite made in to the States; he got as far as New Zealand and then got stuck.  Now based in Takapuna Auckland you can find Matt wandering the beaches of Auckland usually with a coffee and steak and cheese pie in hand.

This challenge enthrals Matt, the sheer vastness of the task both mentally and physically has had him captivated from the moment the idea came to light.