The Destination Dakar Team

This team is the culmination of a dream and goal for Don Hatton. From the time he was very young, Don watched the Dakar Rally each year on television in hopes of one day fulfilling his dream by participating in the Dakar Rally.

Don Hatton- Team Rider:

Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island where he resides with his wife Natalie, sons Kevin, 24, Jason, 22, and daughters Chelsea, 20 and Alexandra, 16. The family is very supportive and involved in the Dakar adventure. A successful Business Owner, Public Speaker and Adventure Sport enthusiast Don is very involved in his community. Don is a Director on the local Sportsplex and a former Director and President of the local Community Policing Advisory Committee. He has competed in Mountain Bike Racing both in Distance Events and Sprint Races. He has also been successful in completing several 24-hour Mountain Bike races in Whistler, BC. He has the determination and grit to do something 60% of the riders are unable to do… That is arrive in Dakar. don@destinationdakar.ca

Isabel Grondin –Sports Injury Consultant

A graduate from Concordia University and University of Alberta, she holds a Masters of Science in Physical Education and Sport Sciences, a Post Graduate Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy and is a Certified Athletic Therapist. Born in Drummondville, Quebec, she owns her own business, Grondin Sport Injury Consulting, located on Vancouver Island. She has been involved in a variety of Sports including Junior Hockey in BC and College Basketball in Alberta as a therapist. She is the Chair of the BCRU Sports Medicine & Science Committee. Isabel began to cover Rugby Canada teams in 1992. Since then,she has made repeat contribution with the 7s in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai China, Dubai, S. Africa. She was the therapist for RC at U-19 WC in France (2000), U-21 WC England (2003) and Argentina (2005). Isabel has been a member of numerous Canadian Core Medical teams including the 1999 Pan Am Games & 2002 Winter Olympics. As an athlete, she was a gold test figure skater and coached figure skating for many years. She is the Ombudsperson of the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association. She lives in Mill Bay, BC. with her husband, golf professional, Dave Grisdale. isabel@destinationdakar.ca

Natalie Hatton- Administrative Support

As Don’s wife, Natalie has supported his dream of racing in the Dakar Rally and is thrilled that he is one of the two Canadians to participate in 2008. She has watched this extreme race with Don on television throughout the years and has now learned first hand the extent of administrative work it takes to get to the starting line. Natalie currently resides in the Cowichan Valley with Don and their children, Kevin 24, Jason 22, Chelsea 21 and Alexandra 16. She is very excited to begin this “family” adventure and knows that Don has both the determination and will to make it to the finish line in Dakar! Recently, Natalie and the team has committed to purchasing at least 500 mosquito nets for Wheels 2 Africa and is honoured to be affiliated with such an amiable charity. natalie@destinationdakar.ca

Rishona Elzinga- Administrative Support

Rishona is a 24-year-old Executive Assistant in the Commercial Department at Van Isle Insurance and personal assistant for Don Hatton. She was born in the Cowichan Valley and currently resides there with her son Dylan. Rishona has worked very closely with Don and his family over the past few years and is ecstatic to have been welcomed as part of the team. Along with Natalie & Chelsea, she is responsible for all press releases, promotional events, itineraries, hotels/flights as well as all of the day-to-day administration for the team. She will also be responsible for updating the website and forwarding information on Don’s current progress to the Canadian Newspapers and News Channels while in Lisbon & Dakar. rishona@destinationdakar.ca

Chelsea Miller-Hatton – Administrative Support

Daughter of Don & Natalie, Chelsea has been working at Van Isle Insurance for the past six years in the Autoplan and Life Insurance Departments. In order to keep the media updated, Chelsea along with her team members, will be in contact with Don throughout the rally from Lisbon to Dakar via satellite phone. Once the race has been completed, Chelsea, Natalie and Rishona will be teaming up with Wheels 2 Africa to deliver materials such as treated mosquito nets and toothbrushes to remote villages in Africa . She is very excited to be on the team and can’t wait until this adventure of a life time begins. chelsea@destinationdakar.ca

Miro Francisty – IT (Information Technology Support)

Miro is a professional programmer and business owner (SnappyDesign.com) with twenty eight years of experience in the IT field and software development. “I am thrilled to be a part of the team, as a proud Canadian it is great to have Don represent Canada in the most difficult and longest race in the world. With his determination and the support of his family and friends I know Don will do great in the race and show the world why Canada rocks eh!”