Dave had a philosophy from a young age that disability should not get in the way of having fun or trying something new. He has tried out many physical and recreational activities, sometimes just as a one off and in other cases for extended periods.
A spell trying Archery at college for a few months and a beginners course back in the 90s showed Dave to have a reasonable eye. Unfortunately local clubs run on evenings which clash with other sports, though he keeps his hand in from time to time at events or when on holiday.
Having trained briefly at Devon Raqueteers, and competed at the 2009 Devon Disabled Badminton Championships (and placed second in the doubles) Dave plays on a weekly basis at Somerset Wheelchair Sports Club.
"Probably as much fun as you can have in the wind" was how Dave summed up a fantastic day at a Blokart meeting in 2005.
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From an early age Dave was keen on the water and moving to the South West in the early 90s provided an opportunity to hit the surfing beaches with some regularity. Not having the balance for 'upright' surfing, he does enjoy sessions on a bodyboard. When you can get him away from his kayak at least.
There's something about men and guns! "A fine sport and one that I'd like to try again..."
It would be difficult to find a better 40th Birthday Present than a flying lesson, for most men. And what joy to fly out over his favourite area above Dartmoor...
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All the beauty of a light aircraft, but without the noise. And a rather annoying tendency to always be heading down, curse those non existant thermals!
"One beauty of diving is feeling weightless. Another is seeing lots of fish!". Dave tried a shallow dive whilst holidaying in the Maldives. A couple of years later he did a couple more in Cuba, but realised immediately that a lack of training and knowledge meant this was not without risk. So he approached Wellington and Taunton Sub Aqua Club and began training towards his sports diver qualifaction, before a dose of Nitrogen Narcosis off Lyme Bay forced him to give it up for a time. He now does the odd recreational dive in tropical waters and one days hopes to "get back to it and finish my BSAC qualification". His most memorable dive? "Two" he says. "The first was a shallow dive in Barbados, around three wrecks in about ten metres of water. When we reached the dive site the dive master realised he'd brought emply air tanks so we had to spend half an hour returning to shore for replacements. It was a great dive though, the wrecks were alive." And the other? "Thailand. My buddy was a bit of a panicker and used his air in double quick time. But I was breathing really slowly and the dive master sent everyone else to the surface, whilst the two of us stayed down for another 20 minutes, finning along the reef. Fantastic!"
Dave trained with Exeter Ski Club for a few months before other commitments (mainly canoe polo) stopped play. He found dry slope skiing enjoyable and would love to try the real thing.
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Having spotted a comment on a web site in 2003, Dave made contact with Cardiff Huskies and went up for a training session. He was immediately hooked and started travelling to Cardiff for regular weekly sessions on the ice, until an accident during a game resulted in a cracked rib. "This is fantastic fun, I knew as soon as I went out on the ice this was a sport for me. Unfortunately the travelling and injury put paid to any longer term aspirations that I may have had." Were they to ever build and ice rink close to Taunton, Dave will be pusing to see a sledge hockey club set up... |
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Dave attended a number of sessions at the Ellingham Water Ski and Wakeboard Club in Ringwood in 2003. The club has a variety of suitable skis and outriders can assist beginners. Pictured: A spectacular wipeout when one of the outriders loses control... |