Q&A: Sarah Thornely (Supjunkie)
Photos: David Haze,
Howard Shep &
Sam Rusu
People can follow my story with the following:
Facebook: David Haze
Instagram: @nomadicpaddler
Twitter: @nomadicpaddler
Website: nomadicpaddler.co.uk
Q&A with… David Haze
Quite an unusual quote to find in a SUP Q&A showcasing one David Haze, aka Nomadic Paddler and his world records in adventure paddling, but this does give you an idea into his mindset and the positive changes he has made to his life.
We caught up with David just before the start of what plans to be an incredible multiple world record attempt at paddling 33 of the longest lakes in Europe in 66 days but let’s backtrack a little and start nearer the beginning of David’s extraordinary story.
David, can you tell us a little about yourself as a young man, particularly regarding sports?
Growing up, I loved sport and adventure. My father served in the RAF and passed away before I was born. Due to this, I went to a military boarding school, where the emphasis of adventure was placed on us early. My weekends were spent dressing up in camouflage gear and hiding in the woods from the teachers as they searched high and low for us. I am sure they can look back at it now and have a laugh! I played county rugby and became a national champion sailor and surfer for my university during these times.
It has been well documented that you veered off course in your personal life not so very long ago, which led to you spending time in prison – are you able to let us know briefly what happened?
I haven’t been dealt the worse cards in life, but I haven’t been dealt the best. One great thing about boarding school is that you are given many great opportunities, but you are never taught about failure! It wasn’t until recently that I realised failure is a powerful tool to inspire growth and change. Just because you have failed doesn’t make you a failure, you are a person who has failed, and the same goes with my exploits. I moved to London and became a FOREX trader. I then lost my job, and not knowing how to deal with failure, my life spiralled out of control which led me to the darkest moments of my life, suicide attempts, heavy drug use and gambling. I became a shell of the man I once was and no longer recognised myself.
Whilst in prison, did it make you determined that you would alter your mindset and lifestyle?
Prison was my biggest failure in life. However, my family would send me SUP and surf magazines and whilst reading those magazines confined to a 6 x 4 prison cell surrounded by so much negativity, I knew there was so much more to life. I made a vow to reconnect with myself, understand who I am once again and live through adventure. I came up with my first world-record-setting idea to paddle the four longest lakes in the UK in four days.
I remember telling those around me about the idea, but they would tell me, “Stop daydreaming, once a number, always a number.” At that moment, I knew the system had to change, I knew I was much more than my mistakes, and ultimately, I knew I wasn’t going to be defined by mistakes! Our pasts are our past and nothing more, and we should never be defined! I want my biggest failure to become my biggest success.
How long have you been paddleboarding, and when you were unable to paddle whilst in prison, did you find it affected your mental wellbeing?
I had been paddling for about four years before I went inside but not to the extent I am now. Being away from the water and not surrounded by nature affected my mental health; seawater runs through my veins, so I used to constantly dream about being back on that water. To keep me sane, I used my time wisely; I studied hard and became a qualified life coach and counsellor and a mindfulness-based practitioner specialising in ‘Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.
Whilst studying ‘ACT’ I realised I could convert the practice into SUP teaching and created an eight-week program in prison not only to teach people how to SUP but to use their board as their mind so if they were to struggle with life off the water, they could revert to their SUP teachings to help live a much more meaningful life. I pitched this idea to the Governor of the prison, who loved it, and I spoke with a world-renowned inflatable SUP brand who wanted to trial this idea in prison but unfortunately, a pandemic set in. However, I still want to trial ‘Paddlebeing’ if anyone is interested.
How did you feel about the first of these challenges? Did you ever consider giving up?
I want to give up on every challenge I do, and if you ever meet an endurance athlete who doesn’t say the same, I will show you a liar! I undertake these challenges because they give me purpose and vision. When I push past my boundaries into realms I didn’t know existed, then is the moment that I truly know who I am! When I paddleboarded the river Thames, beating the old record by 10 hours, I decided not to sleep for 38 hours!
There was a point when I pulled my board out of the water to walk around a lock at 03:00. I was broken, cold, tired and hungry. I nearly snapped the fin off my board, and at that moment, I thought nobody would know if I snapped the fin, and I could ‘blame’ outside factors. That was when I realised I had changed; looking for the easy way out got me into trouble, but I no longer do that. I squashed that thinking, looked for a positive solution and set a new world record!
As the adventures and challenges have progressed, have you changed as a person? Has your confidence grown, and have you believed these goals are more achievable each time?
The more I push myself, the more confident I feel. To truly experience life, we all need to challenge ourselves; life is about living, and it’s taken me to hit rock bottom to understand that. After each challenge, I learn more about myself and my capabilities, which makes my goals bigger, and I do question are these achievable each time. But you know what, human beings are amazing, and we will never know our full potential if we never try. Something I learned from spending four years in jail was that no matter what life throws at you, you are the only one in control of your destiny! Once you accept that, then the world is yours to paddle!
Have you been raising money and awareness throughout these challenges, and can you let us know who you support and why?
I have been given a second lease of life and a platform, so I want to use the opportunity to raise both money and awareness for my chosen charities. Not only do I raise money for ‘Alliance of Sport’, but I am also their ambassador. They use the power of sport in the criminal justice system to help tackle reform and rehabilitation. I also raise money for the ‘RAF Benevolent Fund’, a charity that took care of me after my father’s death. My third and final charity is ‘Adventure Therapy’. Adventure has transformed my life, and it is a powerful tool for change which I will always champion.
I also want to raise awareness of reform and rehabilitation, which at times is a forgotten cause in this country. I want to show others that your mistakes do not define who you are, and I want to change perspectives on people like myself to create more harmonious communities.
You are the holder of seven world records, all related to Stand Up Paddleboarding – can you let us know about them?
I hold the world record for the fastest time paddled across the longest lake in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, the longest river in the UK (River Thames) and most recently, Loch Ness.
Can you tell us about your latest multiple world record attempt?
There is a marathon runner called ‘Nick Butter’ who has run a marathon in every country in the world. While I enjoyed following his journey, I started thinking, why can’t I paddle across the longest lake in every country in the world. With this in mind, I have created ‘Untamed Beasts’. I will be attempting 33 world records on 33 of the longest lakes across Europe in 66 days.
This is just the first leg, and we’ve started filming the documentary, but there is still so much to explore! SUP is the fastest growing water sport globally; we haven’t even reached the peak of the exploration and touring side of the sport yet. There are many great paddleboarders out there, but we Brits are genuinely pushing the boundaries, and I hope I can be out there in front with the others.
How long has the planning taken, and how are you managing the logistics for such an incredible trip?
This is logistically an easy feat; however, in reality, it’s an absolute nightmare! Not only are we dealing with a European war, but we are dealing with governments, embassies, fixers, permits, etc. However, it’s so exciting, especially to think how far I have come in just two years. I also get to cross some of the longest lakes in the world.
Once I have done Europe, I am heading off to attempt the longest lake in every Asian country. I have much more planned, but I am keeping those cards close to my chest for now.
Do you have some favourite paddling kit that you might like to share with us?
I like to keep it relatively simple out there. I use apps such as Paddle Logger and Geosup; I always have my GoPro filming kit and a hydration pack on my back. I have been working with a company called Oscar Propulsion which has been with me on all my world records. They have a patented design for slitting the blades on my paddles, making a big difference in endurance events. Not that this is the sole reason that helped me achieve my records.
I am sure many people have supported or inspired you along the way, David – would you like to give them a shout out.
My whole SUP adventuring started when I read about a man wanting to paddle the River Nile. After I heard he was unsuccessful, this got me thinking, and I started talking with companies about ideas I had in the pipeline, which led me to a local company ‘Fatstick’. I want to take this opportunity and thank the Fatstick team as they have fuelled my dream, and not only do they support me, but their vision inspires me. The guys at JP Australia have helped me along the way too.
Water Rascal was kind enough to design me a custom board for Loch Ness, which is being auctioned off for charity. I am an Ambassador for Zenn Way, which has some great products and is helping in a big way with SUP safety. I have just teamed up with Thurso SUP as well.
Another inspiration is Brendon Prince; he is the humblest man I have ever met, but I had the honour to paddle with him, share a beer, and hear about what he is trying to achieve. Jordan Wylie has been kind enough to endorse me and my project, and when I first started, Charlie Head had a lot of advice to offer when discussing another project, which I hope to commence shortly.
David, we wish you the very best of luck with this epic adventure, thank you for your precious time, and we very much look forward to following and reporting on your incredible and inspiring journey. Can you let us know how and where people can find and support you?
