Happy Bday – Fat Paddler Turns One

The beginning - a fat bloke with his first kayak

The beginning - a fat bloke with his first kayak

This time a year ago the FatPaddler.com website was launched. It’s initial goal was to document my personal journey to the Hawkesbury Classic, but quickly became a much greater adventure than I had anticipated. In the 12 months since the site was born, I’ve completed three different marathon races, paddled with icebergs and whales in Alaska, learnt to roll (well, kind of), discovered Greenland paddles and paddled all over the waterways of Sydney.

By far the best aspect of my new passion for paddling however  is the friends I’ve made. The local paddlers I get out on the water with weekly, the distant Aussie paddlers I catch up with occassionally, the visiting paddlers that I take out when they arrive in Sydney, the international paddling community that rallies so well on the internet and of course all those that organise the events I’ve particpated in. And of course, all the beginner paddlers I take out, who inevitably want to keep going!

So as I celebrate this first year, I’d like to raise a glass to all the wonderful people I’ve been lucky enough to interact with during my paddling adventures. A better group of people you could not ask for. Cheers! – FP

The first paddle (FP in orange/yellow). 30mins of paddling, 3 hrs of swimming!

The first paddle (FP in orange/yellow). 30mins of paddling, 3 hrs of swimming!

Discovering the Coffee Boat

Discovering the Coffee Boat

Extending the paddles away from the Harbour. Berowra Waters dawn.Extending the paddles away from the Harbour. Berowra Waters dawn.

Extending the paddles away from the Harbour. Berowra Waters dawn.

Kayak upgrade - a composite BD Nanook for the Hawkesbury Classic

Kayak upgrade - a composite BD Nanook for the Hawkesbury Classic

Sea Kayak course with Old Salty. Strokes, exits, safety and rescues.

Sea Kayak course with Old Salty. Strokes, exits, safety and rescues.

USA work trip, ending with a paddling trip in the Alaskan wilderness.

USA work trip, ending with a paddling trip in the Alaskan wilderness.

Panasonic photography competition. FP heavily featured.

Panasonic photography competition. FP heavily featured.

At last! A Greenland style paddle!

At last! My first Greenland style paddle!

FP finishes the Haweksbury Classic, a 111km night-time marathon.

FP finishes the Haweksbury Classic, a 111km night-time marathon.

Team Fat Paddler awarded Landcrew Award for the 2009 Hawkesbury Classic.

Team Fat Paddler awarded Landcrew Award for the 2009 Hawkesbury Classic.

FP in his Valley Aquanaut, a more skill-oriented boat!

FP in his Valley Aquanaut, a more skill-oriented boat!

Learning to Roll

Learning to Roll

New custom-made high-strength Greenland paddles (thanks Adanac)

New custom-made high-strength Greenland paddles (thanks Adanac)

FP & Timbo, having just finished the Bridge to Beach.

FP & Timbo, having just finished the Bridge to Beach.

Team Fat Paddler the Lifetsart Canao/Kayak guid!

Team Fat Paddler at the end of the Lifetsart Kayak for Kids

A Canoe for the kids!

A Canoe for the kids!

The Fat Paddler by Sean Smith