MEET THE TEAM
Claudia Holgate
MSc. GCHE, CCA, FRGS.
PTGA Senior Polar Guide/Assessor
FGASA Field Guide
Critical Care Paramedic and Instructor
Claudia Holgate is a physical geographer and ornithologist who has worked on expedition ships for 18 years, in every position including Expedition Leader, Lecturer, Zodiac driver and bear guard. She has completed over 150 voyages in the polar regions and countless voyages around the rest of the world. She has lectured in everything from climate and climate change to geology, glaciology, ornithology and marine biology. With a post-graduate qualification in education, she is passionate about teaching and helping her students reach their potential. Claudia has worked at all levels of government, for the United Nations, as an academic and run an environmental consultancy for 10 years.
She has also worked for the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) as the Environmental Manager, giving her unique insight into the operations of Antarctic tourism. Claudia is a Senior polar guide and assessor with the Polar Tourism Guide Association and is a qualified South African Field Guide through the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA). Her work in the field of geography has resulted in her being elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Claudia is also a Critical Care Paramedic with 25 years experience in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field and 14 years experience as an instructor in Advanced Cardiac, Paediatric, Wilderness and Trauma Life Support.
Nick Bredenkamp
BSc (Botany and Biochemistry)
PTGA Polar Guide
FGASA Specialist Nature Guide, Lead Trails Guide, Marine Guide, Regional Bird Guide
Nick has worked for more than 20 years as a guide, educator and trainer across several countries including South Africa, Sri Lanka, China, the UK, Kenya, and both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. As a lead trail guide for many years, Nick has a great deal of experience with guiding in areas with dangerous animals and handling firearms. Being a botanist as well as a bird and marine guide, Nick lectures in ornithology, botany and marine biology, as well as general ecology topics.
Pepe Rojas
MSc Ornithology
PTGA Polar Guide
Pepe is an ornithologist based in Peru and the USA. He is currently completing his PhD in birds. Pepe has been bird guiding in Peru and the Americas for over 25 years and also works on expedition ships in both polar regions as a lecturer, Zodiac driver and bear guard.
Pepe will be adding to our lecture program on the Fundamentals of Expedition Guiding course.
Michael Klopper
Wilderness Life Support Paramedic Instructor
BCompt. NRP, FAWM, WP-C
Michael Klopper is a seasoned professional whose career spans across various facets of emergency services and rescue operations. Beginning his emergency management services (EMS) career as a volunteer emergency management technician (EMT) and firefighter in Johannesburg laid the foundation for a decades-long commitment to EMS, fire, and rescue services, where he has continued on to qualify as a nationally registered paramedic in the USA.
Driven by a spirit of adventure, Michael became a qualified open water diving instructor and diver medical technician, further diversifying his skill set. His journey in the United States ignited a passion for helicopter rescue operations and technical rescue, skills he further honed upon his return to South Africa when he joined the Mountain Club of South Africa’s Mountain Search and Rescue team in 2009. Over 15 years, he accumulated thousands of hours in training and operational roles, specializing in general, medical, and technical rescue missions.
Beyond his operational contributions, Michael is deeply invested in the education of emergency service professionals. He has trained hundreds of paramedics, firefighters, and rescue workers, and played a key role in developing vital certification programs, including the Wilderness Paramedic Certification and the Alpine Helicopter EMS course in South Africa. Michael is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and a faculty member of the College of Remote and Offshore Medicine Foundation in Malta, where he continues to share his vast knowledge and experience.
Rachael Barlow-Steenkamp
Admin Manager
With a proven track record of managing complex scheduling, financial budgeting, and multitasking under pressure, our Admin Manager excels in maintaining order within dynamic environments. She brings to the table exceptional organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a talent for communication that ensures effective coordination among team members and optimal operational efficiency. Her commitment to continuous improvement and education has kept her skill set fresh and relevant, making her an invaluable asset to any administrative team.