Dave Carroll

Name: Dave Carroll
Hometown: Glenealy County Wicklow, Ireland
Where did you last paddle? Clare Glens
Where will your next big boating mission take you? Slovenia

Do you have a favourite spot/drop/rapid/move?
On a first descent of what was probably called the Hirdy Girdy Elvey Dorley.(Can’t quite remember what the Norwegian lads called the river) It was a combination slide drop in the Arctic Circle, North Norway. It’s the Daddy. Moves to be done everywhere. I love them all.

What paddling trip should everybody make at least once?
The Grand Canyon, USA. The Zanskar, Himalaya, India.

What advice do you have for anybody wanting to take their paddling to the next level?
Some good coaching goes a long way. Improving your technique ensures long and injury free paddling days. If you kick one bad habit often 10 other things get better. Have fun with it and don’t be too hard or critical of the things you think are going wrong. Sometimes friends with the best will in the world set you off in a funny direction regarding technique, make sure you are going to the right source for the info as you can train in a good habit as easily as a bad habit. That goes for the coaches you use as well, don’t just believe it, ask questions and make sure you understand why something is happening as opposed to it being some kind of Voodoo. Kayaking is a simple thing with simple concepts that flow from a beginner all the way to being an experienced hucker. It doesn’t need to be complicated.

Who are your paddling heroes?
Flemming Shmit. The only rule of the game, don’t follow Flemming! He fell in the magic potion when he was a baby and can do extraordinary things, all with a relaxed and very modest head on his shoulders! Mick Hopkinson is one of the real legends. He gets rid of the debate New School vs Old school. Just because you’ve been there from the start doesn’t mean you are “Old school.”  He still charges into his 60′s with good style and moves with or in front of the times. What really inspires me is anybody charging out there on a freezing cold Saturday morning with not very good equipment and a big smile on their face; you guys are the business. I’m lucky to have gear that keeps me warm and dry, it’d be hard to go back even if it does turn me into a bit of a hairdresser regarding the cold.

All time favourite piece of Palm gear?
The new Stikine Suit and Amp vest, Really stoked on these, they just work really well.

Favourite type of Pie?
Baked Alaska! although I haven’t had it since I was a kid and probably will realise as an Adult it tastes like an old shoe.I bet it still tastes amazing!  No, I have never tasted an old shoe.

And finally…
Nobody cares if you are a good or a bad dancer, just get up and dance!

Have fun and be safe out there, Cheers, DC