So much to tell, it will take time to write it all...
Back in the 70s, when men were, well hairy, and canoeing was basic, Dave started kayaking in an old battered glass fibre boat by the name of Colonel Custard (it was yellow). A capsize one day (one of countless over the years) left it without a seat, so he spent the next couple of seasons sitting on a block of polystyrene, before eventually graduating to an open cockpit canvas monstrosity.
When he made it to college he found a very active canoe club at Hatfield Polytechnic. Several eventful years in the club had him paddling a variety of rivers, surfing at Croyde in an old 'surf shoe', attending 'lemming' weekends such as the Mike Jones Rally, and even paddling in Trafalgar Square Fountains for rag week.
After college, work 'stopped play' and many years passed with barely a paddle raised in earnest.
In the early 90s, his then partner Jane (now his wife) had the chance to relocate through work, from London to Taunton. Shortly after moving they spotted some kayaks being taken in to a local pool and both signed up for a beginners course. Achieving their one star a few weeks later, they been heavily involved in most aspects of the sport ever since.
Dave has always had a competitive streak. "Something to prove" or a "Napoleon complex" as he'd call it. There was very little in the way of disabled competition so he almost always competed in standard (able) classes. He became interested in Canoe Slalom and progressed over a couple of seasons from Division 5 to Division 3, achieving top three placings in a number of competitions. However, a Division 3 Slalom at Symonds Yat in which he paddled the only plastic kayak in the entire competition and in which he was placed second from last demonstrated the need for decent kit. An ultra light carbon kevlar kayak and high spec slalom blade helped him retain his position for a few seasons before he moved on to other aspects of the sport.
With the odd exception, Dave has raced against able paddlers, but with mixed success. His early years of competition, a bit over weight and not particularly fit, had him achieve the odd decent placing, a second in the Axe Race, a couple of modest efforts in the Exe Descent and the occassional medal in other events. His only major International Competition was at the International Florence Regatta in 1993. This was a Paddleability Event (at the time called Handykayak) and consisted of Kayak Racing over a sprint course. He was second in the K1 singles and in an unusual turn of events won the K2 doubles with his partner, Dave Cook. At the presentation ceremony the organisers wondered if there'd been a mistake...
In more recent years he has had greater success, which he puts down to losing weight and getting fit through his numerous sporting activities, particularly those related to triathlon. He won the Axe Race in 2007 and 2009 (and and was runner up in 2006), the Pete Collins Race in 2006, and was second in the Usk Race in 2007.
To be a really good canoe polo player you need strength, stamina, speed, balance, height and (particularly useful) long arms (and therefore a good throw). Dave has the first three, but is unfortunately lacking in the others. So he was never going to be a particularly strong player. That hasn't stopped him trying though, and he has competed in the regional canoe polo leagues for many seasons. His teams' best performance was in 2007/08 when they were placed second in Division 2, particulary notable for a bunch of 'old timers' with an average age of over 40. Unfortunately this meant promotion to Division 1 for 2008/09 where they received a thorough kicking by some of the teams. It was not a complete humiliation though, and Taunton finished 9th of the 12 teams, avoiding relegation by two places.
Most kayakers progress on to white water paddlingif they live in the South West and Dave was no exception. His first trip with Taunton Canoe Club, shortly after achieving his one star award, was a paddle down the River Exe in spate. He remembers the trip fondly. "Jane came out at the first weir and caused a five boat pile up, we had swimmers everywhere". He was not a victim that day and the Exe has yet to defeat him. "I've paddled it in all levels and have yet to swim, which is more than can be said for the Dart, Barle, Usk, etc, etc."
He's at home on anything up to grade 3 but tends to avoid grade 4 rapids. "I dislocated a shoulder on the River Dart quite a few years ago and that put me off paddling anything with much risk. Particularly now, with the need to avoid injury to ensure that I can compete at Paratriathlon". However, every winter season he can be found on the Dart, Exe, Barle or Tavy.
"Probably as much fun as I can have in a kayak" is how Dave describes surfing. He's a regular paddler at Westward Ho! and enjoyed a fantastic week on the surf beaches of Ireland a few years ago. At that time he discovered his favourite surfing spot, at Derrynane in South West Ireland. "When the tide is right you get a perfect shoulder break". The beach is shaped like a horse shoe and the waves peak in the middle but are flat at the edges. "You can surf in on the wave along the break, then paddle back out along the edge and wait for the next set".
Dave achieved his Level 2 Kayak Coaching Qualification in the 90s and Jane a few years later. They both regularly coach beginners and improvers, and have just (summer 2009) completed a beginners course at Taunton Canoe Club for 12 newcommers to the sport (all passed).