Big talk, big action: Crazy DAVID’s first Paddleboarding

Big talk, big action: Crazy DAVID’s first Paddleboarding

Crazy DAVID

Talk the talk, walk the walk

We have all heard the saying, "If you are going to talk the talk, then you should be prepared to walk the walk."


Well, yesterday I decided to step outside of my comfort zone. I had established a great collaboration with Alessandro, an Italian hunk who operates a kayaking and SUP business here on Lanzarote. Alessandro has looked after several of my clients; some have been totally blind, others have had various disabilities, and some have been able-bodied. I have been kayaking with Alessandro before with a group of clients and friends, and it was an enjoyable experience.

  • A group of people are standing on a beach holding paddles.

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My first and last time on a SUP was 10 years ago

I had only ever previously participated in SUP, or as some call it, paddleboarding, once about 10 years ago. I had the opportunity to attend a three-hour SUP clinic which Alessandro had arranged for locals and visitors. He had the support of a British SUP race champion to teach us the techniques for beginners or to improve our existing skills.


I made it clear to both of them that I had to wear ear plugs to prevent water getting in my ears due to my hearing loss and several operations, and that I wasn’t a water sports person due to my lack of experience in the ocean. I always prefer dry land activities, and I have never been a good swimmer because I can’t keep my mouth closed long enough.

Let’s start nice and slowly

After our safety briefing and warm-up stretching exercises, we all took to the water, first staying close to the shoreline in a sheltered bay. After an hour or so, my confidence was growing as I started to get the hang of it. We had mastered the art of getting on the board from in the ocean and had learnt some of the paddle techniques.


We had mainly been paddling from the kneeling position on the board and I had managed to stay high and dry. We then started going out further along the bay and I felt confident in what I had achieved so far. Then after about two hours, I started applying a more advanced technique we had been shown.

  • A man is laying on a paddle board in the water

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A hand is sticking out of the water and saying `` i 'm fine ''.

This is when it happened!

I misjudged my actions. I had ventured to a point in the ocean that was over three metres deep, and then, SPLASH, I went under. At first, I thought, "No big deal," I automatically remembered what we had been shown. My first attempt to get back on the board wasn’t successful, so I calmly started kicking my legs while holding on to the board as I moved closer back to the beach. But the wind kept me in deeper water, so I tried another attempt to get back on the board, but without success.

I must have swallowed half of the Atlantic Ocean

Suddenly, I started to panic. Jane was nearby and she stayed with me until Alessandro arrived on his board. BUT it seemed like feckin ages and the board had flipped upside down so I didn’t have anything to grip on to. I shouted out for help and had started breathing erratically as I had panicked. When Alessandro arrived, I knew immediately that I would be OK as he is a true professional and knew exactly what to do. He put out his arm for me to hold on to and I probably stopped the circulation as I gripped so tightly. He helped me get up on his board and took me back to the beach.


At the time I wasn’t aware of the effect it would have on me. I was told to relax and rest and drink water. I said, "In a strange way I am actually pleased it happened so I can relate to the situation should any of my clients ask me." I can now assure them that they are in the hands of a true professional with Alessandro and he is very experienced and has an excellent way of looking after everyone.

A woman in a wheelchair is being helped by a scuba diver
  • Two paddle boards are sitting on the beach near the ocean.

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  • A group of people are standing on a beach holding paddles.

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  • A man is laying on a paddle board in the water

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  • A man is riding a paddle board in the water.

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Get back on that horse (or SUP)

After a rest, I went back out on the board, but I could not, and Alessandro stayed by my side all the way. He encouraged me to progress with his support. But my confidence had taken a big hit, and I was not able to relax like before.


So yes, I have been there, done it and got the t-shirt myself. Many people know that I am the happy-go-lucky guy who balances on the edge of rocks thousands of feet high on the edge of a cliff, who has abseiled and zip-lined many times, who has bungee jumped in New Zealand and was the first-ever member of the public to bungee over Loch Ness in Scotland, who has done white water rafting at grade 5 rapids, etc.


All this results in people saying I’m crazy — and live up to the name of Crazy David.

Conclusion

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