Adventure sport guru at show

LEGEND: Steve Gurney is a nine-times Coast to Coast winner. Photo / File

New Zealand's multisport king is descending on the Bay today.

Steve Gurney, the legendary adventure sport athlete, will talk to youths about his struggles before finding his niche and the adventures that followed.

The nine-times winner of the Coast to Coast and author of the Beginners Guide to Adventure Racing in New Zealand, will make several appearances in Hastings starting today at the main stage at the Royal Show.

From there he will go on to spend the afternoon at the Hereworth tent before he will host a "story time" at the Hastings Library.

Tomorrow Mr Gurney will do some mountain biking, rock climbing and finally hold a book signing at Wardini Books in Havelock North.

Kiwi Adventure Trust manager David Tait said he was "superexcited" about Mr Gurney's visit.

"I am excited about his book and I believe lots of youth will be inspired to set out on adventures by it.

"I love how it covers so many adventure sports and that safety is the pivotal point for all of the sections."

Mr Tait said the famed endurance athlete was an example of the importance of the "top six inches".

"As a person he is high energy and practises healthy habits, focuses on being positive."

Mr Gurney has enjoyed a successful sporting career.

He won the Coast to Coast, in 1990, 1991, and 1997-2003 and competed in the Extreme Games.

However, he has had his fair share of obstacles.

In 1994 a severe infection caught from bat droppings in Malaysia nearly cost him his life.

He suffered renal and respiratory failure.

However, his determination and patience allowed him to fight back to full fitness.