About
Sean Smith – a big man with a Greenland paddle chasing weekly paddling adventures with an emphasis on fun. Whether in his sea kayak or canoe, you can be sure he’s out there somewhere splashing around and having a bloody good time.
More fun than Disneyland!
The road to this point in the story had been long and dramatic. Sports injuries and two major vehicle accidents left Sean with an impressive list of reasons not to participate in an active lifestyle, with previous injuries including; nasal fractures (x14!) , femur fracture, femoral head fracture, rib fractures, multiple pelvis fractures, sacrum fractures, hand & finger fractures, ankle fracture, toe fractures and many more too numerous to list.
In early 2009 Sean decided to paddle his way back to good health. The initial goal: the 2009 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, a 111km river marathon done at night through the NSW country-side. After 6 months of pre-race training he started the gruelling race, crossing the finish line after 18 hours of torturous paddling to the continued taunts of “Paddle you fat bastard!” from his own land crew (who unbelievably went on to win the official Landcrew Award).
The Barely-Afloat - Fat Paddler
Now he can often be seen paddling in one of his red boats on the various waterways of Sydney, and on occasion, throughout Australia and the rest of the world. Easily distinguished with his Greenland paddle, ear to ear grin and bulbous profile, keep an eye out for him on your waterways and stop him and say hello!
32 Comments for this entry
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May 10th, 2009 on 9:15 pm
Hey Sean – nice photos mate. Sydney harbour at 6.30 am is a great place to be. I paddled across from Lane Cove to Balmain a couple of times and it is fab. I’ll look out for you on the water. Good luck with the Hawkesbury classic – I like the sound of that.
Cheers, Mark
May 29th, 2009 on 10:07 am
I wish you luck on your endevour. If you dream it, you can do it. If you were closer, I would make you a custom yak to paddle. One Fat Paddler to another… where real men break the waves.
KK
May 29th, 2009 on 10:42 am
Thanks Kev. Your kayaks are a thing of beauty btw, very VERY impressed!
June 22nd, 2009 on 8:09 am
Hi Sean:
Where can I buy some tee-shirts? And I mean BUY.
Thx
June 22nd, 2009 on 9:03 am
Merchandise details coming soon Kit, as you’re not the only one asking! In the next week or so I’ll put up details, initial range will be tshirts, car/yak stickers and beer coolers.
July 8th, 2009 on 4:24 pm
fatpaddler, I see you mention the Lumix FT1.
I would like to have a chat with you about that camera.
Please contact me via email.
Thank you.
Gnarlydog
July 8th, 2009 on 10:33 pm
Sure thing Gnarlydog!
August 7th, 2009 on 4:16 pm
Hi Sean
PLease have a look at our website for the plan of management for Sydney Harbour National Park http://www.sydneyharbourpom.net.au We love your stories and thought you might like to add yours to our webpage. It’s great to see the National Park from the water and if you could tell people about the Park on your site that would be great too.
Margaret
September 23rd, 2009 on 1:05 pm
Sean, a communal friend of ours told me about you however there is no ‘contact’ link on your site. im trying to get in touch with you regarding a charity event im doing but cannot as i cannot find your contact details on your site.
please email me.
Martin
October 15th, 2009 on 9:57 pm
Hi Sean,
Got any suggestions for dry suits for fat paddlers?
October 15th, 2009 on 10:03 pm
Gday Diane. I can’t add too much here because we simply don’t need dry suits here in Australia. I did wear one in Alaska recently, it was a size XXL, and I had no problems with it (other than swimming in my own sweat inside it and the choking sensation of a tight rubber gasket around my neck!). Oh, and make sure you go to the toilet before you get into a dry suit, because it is HELL trying to quickly get out of one! Cheers – FP
October 30th, 2009 on 12:19 pm
Sean,
I found your website today when looking for photos from the classic. I so wish I had found it before I decided to do the race. I’m a fat (130kg) paddler too. I squeezed (actually quite roomy) into the back of a double mirage and did it the easy way.
I think your next challenge should be the Murray 200 and the Murray Marathon, the only two longer kayak races in Australia. I would definitely be a part of team fat paddler in that. Email me if you are interested.
Russ
October 30th, 2009 on 10:50 pm
Gday Russ. Can’t tell you how much I envied those double Mirages as they went past, paddlers chatting away to each other, and occassionally taking rests. Was a bit harder solo I can assure you!
January 18th, 2010 on 7:47 am
Hi Sean,
I remember well the day we met near Clontarf and your “rescue”. Glad that the paddling has been your road to health. Rob, Geoff, Steve, Simon, Tony and sundry extras still paddle from Clontarf regularly . Oftern 0700-0715 on Sat or Sun…. love to see you there.
regards
Doc Alex
February 4th, 2010 on 7:54 pm
Doc Alex,
Mrs FatPaddler here.
I just wanted to thank you for towing Sean into Chinamen’s after what was an initial disastrous start post decade since he’d kayaked. I have to say it’s one of the funniest stories, I laugh time and time again each time we talk about it. It is also how the ‘FATPADDLER’ was born.
It would be lovely to meet you one day and we can hear the finer details perhaps!
Cheers,
Mrs FP
February 10th, 2010 on 6:27 am
Hi Sean,
Similar sized paddler from Sussex in the UK here.
I’m on a short stay to Sydney arriving am 28th Feb. Keen to get a paddle in. Can you suggest any venues/tours.
I’ve checked out Sydney Harbour Kayaks who appear to do Saturday & Sunday trips that I will be too late for on arrival and depart on the 4th.
Inspirational site
Yours Aye
Guy
June 7th, 2010 on 2:38 am
So happy to find this blog! Am 52 yo and also on a journey to health. Grew up canoeing in open boats on Michigan rivers and lakes. I am now interested in kayak, but difficulty finding one to fit The Behind and that I can easily get in/out…Any suggestions of make/model????
June 15th, 2010 on 2:18 am
I was beginning to think that the world of canoes was dominated by the “average” and “smaller” paddler. I am looking for a “plastic” sea kayak, and at 6ft 4 and 260lbs (120kg) (19 ish) stone, I am struggling to find one that will take me and a weekends worth of gear… any suggestions?
Cheers
Dave
June 15th, 2010 on 11:30 am
Sure thing Dave, there are plenty of good plastic boats for the bigger man! Let me know where you are so I can work out what might be available in your locale. Cheers – FP
June 15th, 2010 on 1:27 pm
Hi Sean,
Thanks for the good words on our kayaks! If you can try one, I will be curious to get your comments. The Vaag 174 should fit you perfectly.
Cheers,
Frank
June 15th, 2010 on 1:30 pm
Bonjour Francois! I’m very much looking forward to trying the Vaag in a bit of Aussie surf and seeing how they go, even with a BIG fella like me in it!
Keep living the dream!
Cheers – FP
June 15th, 2010 on 4:26 pm
hey FP, I am in the UK, have tried to hunt out bigger boats here, but to no avail, any pointers would be welcome.cheers. d
June 15th, 2010 on 10:19 pm
Dave. Check out the Valley Aquanaut HV RM (the HV stands for “High Volume” – its made for big paddlers). These are made in the UK, are AWESOME rough water seakayaks, and in fact the kayak I paddle myself. Will easily handle your height, and I weigh 130kg which it handles easily.
http://www.valleyseakayaks.com/boats/polyethylene
Also, check out the Prijon Kodiak. This boat is bigger, heavier, and has even more room in the cockpit than the Aquanaut. I have a mate that has one who is your height, so no probs there, and it has massive storage volume for camping gear.
http://www.prokayak.co.uk/prijon-kodiak-sea-kayak-101-p.asp
Go and check these out for starters. If they are still no good for you, let me know and I’ll throw some other ideas your way. But I reckon these two are the best fit for you.
Cheers! FP
June 16th, 2010 on 3:09 am
FP, you are a gent.
I think I am in love with the prijon-kodiak!!!!, and have made contact with the UK supplier to find out what they can do for me. I had already browsed the Aquanaut, and did not have the “gut feeling” as with the Kodiak. many thanks for the tip. cheers
June 16th, 2010 on 9:55 am
Good onya Dave, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. They’re not the sexiest boats ever made, but they punch well above their weight in terms of stability, speed and stowage.
Have a look at this story – it’s my mate Ned in his Kodiak (and a bit of a comparison with it next to my Aquanaut).
http://fatpaddler.com/2010/03/paddling-the-hawkesbury-at-midnight/
July 17th, 2010 on 3:44 am
Enjoyed reading about how you got started paddling!
Not that you need it, but keep on!
Ann
July 17th, 2010 on 8:24 am
Cheers Ann! It just so happens I have your mag (Sea Kayakers) in front of me at this very moment getting more paddle inspiration. So a big “Keep On!” to you too!
August 2nd, 2010 on 9:07 am
Hey FP – I was at the boat show on Saturday and was in your talk. You were heaps great!!!! Really enjoyed your presentation and photos and you are inspirational! Good on you keep up the good work! I live in Manly so hopefully see you around here somewhere one day! (Virtual big pat on your shoulder)
August 2nd, 2010 on 11:54 pm
Thanks Ashley! Glad you enjoyed the talk, and definitely say high if you come across me on the water! Cheers – FP
August 4th, 2010 on 4:18 am
Hi FP.
Great read mate. Your site was posted on the Hobie Adventure Island website for all us lazy kayak sailers to read. Just keen to know how you can break your nose 14 times? Boxing or Rugby? I’m guess’n Rugby !
August 4th, 2010 on 7:48 am
G’day Rusty. Mostly rugby, a few dust ups at school, the odd fight at the pub when I was a bouncer, and once my little brother broke it during some rough and tumble! Once I broke it the 1st time (bottom of a ruck, 14 years old), the damn thing was easy to keep re-breaking. I actually left the cartilage on a field in Melbourne after a really bad break when I was 17! Ahhh the memories…..
September 2nd, 2010 on 3:31 pm
hello there i am a big man looking for a good sit in kayak, have been using a sit on top and would like to graduate to a sit in, do you have any advice. i live in washington and will be using the kayak just for the bay. i am 6 ft 4 in 330lbs and losing weight but for right now need something for my size, please help if you can, thanks