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This tweeterview was between:
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Talking about the Hawkesbury Challenge
Date: Jul 25, 09 Time: 22:00 Category: Sport More about this Interview. |
The tweeterview as recorded:
| Q1: | "Hi Sean, thanks for tweeting up today." |
My pleasure, thanks for the invite
| Q2: | "I guess the first thing to clear up is the story behind your username / paddling name. Can you explain that?" |
Ha! Well, I wanted something that was memorable and a little self-depracating. The fact is, I paddle, and I'm fat. And the domain was avai..
..lable ;)
| Q3: | "LOL. The 'big' question is - how big is @fatpaddler considering we see you in a small kayak" |
128kg of prime Australian beer and lamb remnant! Keep in mind my kayak is BIG - 5.4m, high volume, made for big guys like me!
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More on Q3...
Ahhh. Have you had any challenges with the kayak being a big guy?
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To the other fat paddlers out there, the Boréal Nanook is my weapon of choice. Large cockpit and a bucket seat - nice!
Lots of challenges
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More on Q3...
such as?
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Kayaks are made to fit tight, so as a big guy it can be very hard to even find one that you can get into
A traditional Greenland skin on frame qajaq wouldn't even fit one of my legs - lol
| Q4: | "So why kayaking then? From your blog is it mainly to do with injuries etc. ?" |
It also means the yak will sit low in the water, have more resistance, and be slower
I chose kayaking for a couple of reasons....
I love being on the water, and have done a lot of water sports in the past - kayaking, rowing, sailing, surfing
My body got smashed in a car accident and I am limited in what I can do. Legally I have a 23% permanent whole body disability.
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More on Q4...
oh wow. that doesn't sound good. especially with that big ex rugby frame to haul about.
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| Q5: | "Do you have any physical restrictions from your injuries that limit your kayaking?" |
Yeah, break your spine and shatter your pelvis in 3 diff places to really understand "recovery". It took 12 mths for the pelvis to mend
I have very limited flexibility and a propensity to cramp suddenly. Neither realy good for kayaking, but I manage :)
| Q6: | "Well I am impressed considering you are training for a pretty big paddle in Oct. What is that?" |
A 111km marathon held at night under a full moon on the Hawkesbury River, to raise money for Leukaemia research :)
It's called the Hawkesbury Classic and has been running for many years now. Lots of crazy paddlers!
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More on Q6...
111 km - how long does that take?
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The winners do it in under 10 hrs. The slow paddlers up to 18 hours.
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More on Q6...
which one do you think you will be?
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lol. I'm aiming for 15hrs ;)
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More on Q6...
can you stay awake that long. hate to see you do a 'roll' while asleep out in the deep :P
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Realistically my goal is to just finish!
Yeah, falling asleep is a real concern. I think "PAIN" will probably prevent that though!
It's a very tough paddle.
| Q7: | "LOL. So why are you doing the crazy paddle? Just to raise money or is there another reason?" |
Predominantly it's a personal goal. I needed to do something about my health and setting BHAGs is something that works for me.
But i always try to do at least one thing a year to raise money for charity, so this fit well.
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More on Q7...
ok so speaking of the charity. if people want to help you raise money for Leukemia how do they get involved?
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And cancer is something that touches everyone I think, it's a good cause.
Well, great question, and somewhat loaded. ;)
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More on Q7...
hehe
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Anyone can sponsor me via the Hawkesbury Classic website
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More on Q7...
got a url for us?
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Aussie donations are of course tax deductable, and you just get to feel GREAT for doing something worthwhile.
Sure! That URL is: http://www.canoeclassic.asn.au/my/races/profile-public?rid=4550
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More on Q7...
how much in the kitty so far Sean?
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Just over $800 from 5 days fundraising (so far)
Admittedly, I contributed a fair bit of that - lol
| Q8: | "excellent. And is the blog just related to this paddle or is it a more long term thing?" |
http://FatPaddler.com started out as a personal journal to record the journey, but it does seem to be evolving
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More on Q8...
in what way?
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I really didn't expect so many people to enjoy my writing, but it seems alot of people really like it
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More on Q8...
Well I enjoy it. Being a pathetic 3km paddler myself.
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Ha. We all start that way. My first paddle involved about 3km of paddle and 3hrs of swimming!
| Q9: | "Hey cheers for doing this tweeterview. Fancy another one after the event? Tell us all about it?" |
Anyway, I'm enjoying the site and the people it is connecting me to all over the world. I've already met some and will meet more on my tra..
..vels
It's been a pleasure. Happy to do a post-Hawkesbury tweeterview.. just give me a few days to recover though!
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More on Q9...
will do. signing off. Big thanks to @fatpaddler please support him
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That donation URL again! http://www.canoeclassic.asn.au/my/races/profile-public?rid=4550