Fat Paddler's first kayak session (centre, red/yellow yak)
“Mate, you look a bit big for that kayak”
“It’s rated for over 150kgs, I should be right”
“150kgs! What, as a submarine??”
This was the start of a somewhat embarrassing exchange that occured during my first kayak session. You see, at this point I’d fallen off my kayak several times and was lying like a beached whale on top of it hoping to get my breath back. The conversation was with a kayak passer-by who had stopped to help me.
On one hand I was somewhat relieved that there would be a witness to my likely drowning. On the other hand, the wise cracking old kayaker was somewhat getting on my nerves. Still, the fact was I really DID need rescuing, and I somewhat begrudgingly accepted his offer of a tow back.
Now picture the scene – Fat Paddler lying prone on his kayak, one hand reaching out and holding the back of another man’s kayak, whilst he struggled to paddle both himself, and my somewhat enormous dead weight, back to the The Spit. As if this isn’t embarrassing enough, he continues with:
“Mate, it would be easier to stay on if you lost a little weight”
“That’s why I bought the bloody kayak” I spat back between gritted teeth.
Anyway, as luck would have it, this bloke turned out to be a doctor. And not just any doctor, but a doctor that specialised in weight loss. Surgical weight loss! And his message was clear – eat right, get some exercise, and don’t let me bloody see you near my surgery, because surgical weight loss is a horrible, horrible thing.
He then went on to suggest I get to the chemist and start on the Tony Ferguson Diet, a diet used by fatties looking to lose some weight really quickly before he gives them a stomach band. You know the ones – no carbs, no dairy, no bloody fun. Well, there goes the last few morsels of my dignity (or so I thought).
Because at this point we reached a little beach just before The Spit where he prompted me to let go. Right in front of a bemused old couple fishing from deck-chairs, barely containing their giggles at my less than elegant arrival on their beach.
What, haven’t you guys heard of the Fat Paddler?? I think I can still hear them laughing…..
When paddling makes you super-thin, will you have to get a new URL?
It sounds like you’re loving it! Now… combine blues guitar with kayaking…
An excellent question young James. Let’s just wait and see if I get super-thin, eh? Bets anyone?! 😛
Alright, how tall are you?
In the old metrics, I’m 6 foot tall, and 290lbs (thats 186cm and 130kgs for the new school). It was a good build when I was a tight-head prop…. but now that I’m retired from rugby… 😉
You’ve got a tight-head prop build…do the yak to tighten up and trim but don’t knock yourself for your build.
The distance paddling will pull it off you right fast. I’ve been there. Lost a chunk myself…and have never felt better. You’ll do this.
Your journey will be incredible to watch.
Sean i have been reading your blogs and love the way you write. After reading about the hawkesbury classic have decided to give it a go as well. I am up gosford way and reguarly kayak down to pattonga is there any chance of a catch up next time you are up that way cheers mate bill
Gday Bill. Sure thing, I love paddling up your neck of the woods and would love nothing more than having a local show me the paddle secrets up there! I’ll drop you an email…. 🙂
So how much weight are you down now?
I started at a slightly worse place – 186cms and 130kgs, now 116 but went in the water swimming rather than on the water paddling; thinking it may be time to change.
You know Guy, I haven’t really lost that much weight – 3-4 kgs. But what I have done is reduced my bloody pressure and developed a great deal of cardio-vacular fitness. My doctor is well pleased with how fit I’ve become… under all the fat. 😉