AN IRONMAN EFFORT: CELEBRATING PEPIJN HOEKSEMA

At Canyoning New Zealand we’re incredibly lucky to work with people who live and breathe adventure, and few embody that spirit quite like Pepijn Hoeksema.  Known within our team for his energy, determination, and impressive physical ability, Pepijn recently took on one of endurance sport’s most iconic challenges — the legendary Ironman New Zealand held in Taupō.

A Race That Sits on Bucket Lists Worldwide

For more than 25 years, Taupō has proudly hosted athletes from around the globe who travel to experience this world-class endurance event in one of the most scenic parts of New Zealand. The race itself is the definition of a true endurance test:

• 3.8km open-water swim

• 180km cycle

• 42.2km marathon run

Completing this challenge is a dream for many athletes and a huge personal milestone for those who cross the finish line.

Watching the Journey Unfold

When Pepijn told us earlier this year that he would be competing, it honestly didn’t surprise anyone on the team.  His work in canyoning already demands high levels of strength, endurance, and resilience, and he consistently pushes himself in everything he does.

Race day became an event for the whole team as we followed his progress through the official Ironman Tracker app, watching each checkpoint update and imagining the physical and mental effort required as he steadily ticked off kilometre after kilometre.

11:43:30 hours of racing later, Pepijn crossed the finish line after an extraordinary day of competition, placing 62nd out of 126 competitors in his age group and 366th out of the full 995 that raced — an incredible result in a field packed with dedicated endurance athletes.

Pepijn’s Words on the Experience

After finishing such a monumental challenge, we asked Pepijn how the race felt from the inside.  His response perfectly captured the experience:

“I’m so tired!  I can barley walk or stand up, I’m so proud of myself and I’ve had so much support, it was absolutely amazing!”

The Spirit Behind the Challenge

Taking on a challenge like Ironman perfectly reflects what Pepijn is all about.  Whether guiding in a canyon, training outdoors, or tackling endurance events, he approaches everything with commitment, positivity, and a deep appreciation for pushing his limits.

For us at Canyoning New Zealand, seeing members of our team pursue goals like this is hugely inspiring. The same resilience, determination, and love for the outdoors that drives someone through a 226km endurance race is exactly the mindset that makes a great guide.

We’re incredibly proud of Pepijn and grateful to have him as part of our team.  After a performance like that, we have no doubt he’ll be back chasing the next adventure soon — though hopefully after a well-earned rest!