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Nigel Reynolds

Short Biography

Born in 1962, in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa, in a rural Monastery Hospital called ‘Marian Hill’, Nigel grew up with the Local Zulu Population enjoying outdoor activities in the area of ‘The Valley of Thousand Hills’.

He did all his schooling and Post Studies in Kwa Zulu Natal. His Father was a Sports Enthusiastic having played International Rugby for the British Lions Team, travelling from England to SA in 1938 to play against Danie Crawen’s Springbok Team, this was when Nigel’s Father fell in love with the country and returned to live there permanently after world war2. Nigel’s mother was Jewish and living in Poland during World War 2 and was sent to England for refuge. His parents met on the ship coming from England to South Africa.

He did all his schooling and Post Studies in Kwa Zulu Natal. His Father was a Sports Enthusiastic having played International Rugby for the British Lions Team, travelling from England to SA in 1938 to play against Danie Crawen’s Springbok Team, this was when Nigel’s Father fell in love with the country and returned to live there permanently after world war2. Nigel’s mother was Jewish and living in Poland during World War 2 and was sent to England for refuge. His parents met on the ship coming from England to South Africa.

Nigel excelled in school sport from a young age, holding both regional & national records for years and making the SA Schools Team. He says that sports kept him focused on making healthy decisions and steered him away from the familiar childhood temptations.

Later in his school years, Nigel competed in Competition Lifesaving, Canoeing & Surfing. He achieved provincial colours. After School Nigel joined the Military which he believes was a character Building Exercise. Nigel also served a short term in the Israel army.

After the Military he enrolled in University of Natal and completed an ‘Electrical Engineering Degree. While at University, in the early 80’s, Nigel started a new sport for that period that hadn’t yet reached the popularity it now holds, namely ‘Triathlon’ & Cycling. For the next few years he won numerous provincial & national Titles in Both Olympic & Ironman Distance Triathlons. He was also selected to the Bruce Fordyce & Tim Noakes ‘London to Paris International Team’.

After the Military he enrolled in University of Natal and completed an ‘Electrical Engineering Degree. While at University, in the early 80’s, Nigel started a new sport for that period that hadn’t yet reached the popularity it now holds, namely ‘Triathlon’ & Cycling. For the next few years he won numerous provincial & national Titles in Both Olympic & Ironman Distance Triathlons. He was also selected to the Bruce Fordyce & Tim Noakes ‘London to Paris International Team’.

On completion of his Degree, Nigel was offered a lucrative contract to race for the Peugeot Team in France, based in Brittany. This was the Start of his International Triathlon / Cycling Career to span over 8yrs. It was during the apartheid years, when South Africa was banned from competing in global sport’s events and Nigel was fortunate enough to get an Australian passport through his Fathers family. He travelled the world extensively, to compete in international Competitions, living in between Australia, France and America, following the sun for peak training conditions. During this Time Nigel also studied Marketing & Business at the facility of USD, San Diego.

In 1989 Nigel had a major cycling accident which left him in a coma and needing intensive rehabilitation. Nigel spent a year in England, being nursed back to health and strength and came back after this setback to win the World Multisport (triathlon) Championship in Ibiza, Spain. After this win, and competing in the Barcelona Olymics, at the age of 30, Nigel decided to retire from Professional sport and returned to South Africa in October 1992.

In his 8yrs of pro sport, Nigel notched up 32 International Victories including two World Champion Ironman Multiport Titles. After retiring, Nigel pursued his Business Interests with the Development of Several Manufacturing Businesses, heading up marketing and Corporate Social Responisiblity with SAB Miller (SA Breweries) for West Africa. He also started ‘Polymer Engineering‘ Plastics Manufacturing using molds & Injection Molding Machines, exporting these products into Africa and meeting local demand.

In his 8yrs of pro sport, Nigel notched up 32 International Victories including two World Champion Ironman Multiport Titles. After retiring, Nigel pursued his Business Interests with the Development of Several Manufacturing Businesses, heading up marketing and Corporate Social Responisiblity with SAB Miller (SA Breweries) for West Africa. He also started ‘Polymer Engineering‘ Plastics Manufacturing using molds & Injection Molding Machines, exporting these products into Africa and meeting local demand.

Then suddenly, in 1994, during major political upheaval in South Africa, just before the release of Mandela, his Parents were murdered on their small holding in Kwa Zulu Natal. Nigel was faced with one of the biggest challenges of his life and had to wrestle with the issue of forgiveness. Through his Christian faith and his friendships that he had formed through his work in Africa, he was able to forgive the offender and not let racism grip his heart. This incident embedded a deep drive in his heart to make a difference with the impoverished youth, especially youth at risk, using sports as a change agent.
In 2000 Nigel started the Winter Ocean Kayak Series in Hout Bay, South Africa and the hosted hosted the first ocean Kayak world championships in SA, called “King of the Harbour”. Nigel was then headhunted to do some contract work in Italy, running Beach Festival Events, which was where he was introduced to the outrigger canoe, birthing a desire to bring this fun team building water sport to the shores of Cape Town.
In 2000 Nigel started the Winter Ocean Kayak Series in Hout Bay, South Africa and the hosted hosted the first ocean Kayak world championships in SA, called “King of the Harbour”. Nigel was then headhunted to do some contract work in Italy, running Beach Festival Events, which was where he was introduced to the outrigger canoe, birthing a desire to bring this fun team building water sport to the shores of Cape Town.

In 2001, Nigel setup Multisport Africa (MSA), a Voluntary Sports Development Project to Help Youth at Risk , with his two key projects being the “Outrigger for Good Foundation” and “Cycle 4 life Program”. It was at this time that Nigel met his wife, Taryn.

MSA played a major role in the South African Department of Social Crime Prevention, providing sports development and projects from 2005-2009. The Cycle Program was one of the first independently funded projects by the ‘Argus Cycle tour Fund ‘ which was later shifted to Namibia in 2010, when after many years in the manufacturing sector, as well as the demands of all his outreach work, Nigel sold his business and moved to Namibia with his wife, Taryn. They carried on with the “Cycle for Life” program in the little northern Namibian “Garden Town” of Tsumeb.

In 2011 he “providentially” met Pat Montani the Founder of Bicycles For Humanity Global and Nigel Offered to be the Namibia Chapter. Nigel was concerned about the lack of accountability, sustainability & mentorship in the Previous Bicycle projects in Namibia. So he took on a “hands on” approach, in running this amazing grassroots mobility and empowerment project.

Today in 2020, 10 years later, the B4H Namibia project has thrived making a big impact on those in need. See our projects page for a colourful photo history of our work.

In 2011 he “providentially” met Pat Montani the Founder of Bicycles For Humanity Global and Nigel Offered to be the Namibia Chapter. Nigel was concerned about the lack of accountability, sustainability & mentorship in the Previous Bicycle projects in Namibia. So he took on a “hands on” approach, in running this amazing grassroots mobility and empowerment project.

Today in 2020, 10 years later, the B4H Namibia project has thrived making a big impact on those in need. See our projects page for a colourful photo history of our work.

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