What’s Next?

There’s something to be said for turning 30. None of that ‘oops, here come the wrinkles, my life is over’ nonsense here. In fact, when I celebrated the big three-oh on the banks of Australia’s Murray River last October I was sopping wet after my kayak had been engulfed by the tremendous wake of a hoon-controlled speedboat, and the birthday cake presented to me by a motley crew of macho Australian paddlers bore the words ‘Happy Birthday Davey Bear.’ Any self-pride I once had disappeared that day, to be replaced by a rather mellow character who felt quite comfortable with his lot.

This wasn’t always the case. Five years ago, as I jumped onto a long skateboard and gallivanted into the Australian desert in search of blisters and freedom, a career path began along the road less travelled. When that particular track came to an end I didn’t have a clue what to do with myself. Utterly exhausted, I no longer had the focus that had driven me for twenty two months. The process of writing a book about skateboarding misadventure was cathartic and grounding, but I felt a growing pressure to do something bigger and better – I suppose this came partly from within, but was also prompted by the eternal question posed by friends and strangers: what’s next?

For a couple of years I largely contemplated my navel in an attempt to understand what it was this former graphic designer had become. When you’re self employed, certainly in an industry as niche and action-driven as Adventuring, there is a boundless call for self promotion. When it all began for me I was so enthused by discovering that I could achieve something remotely interesting that it felt natural to shout from the rooftops and inform every poor bugger that yes, indeed, I was about to skateboard across Australia. I never considered myself better than anyone, I was simply very excited, but back then I had nothing to judge my personal achievements against – there is no comparison between designing newspapers in South Wales and pushing a skateboard across the Nullarbor. My life had changed and I hadn’t kept up with it; I didn’t know whether I was an Author, a Motivational Speaker, an Adventurer, or a graphic designer with a fancy for endurance travel.

Eventually, I became ever so weary of talking about myself and began to dissect the whole measly business. I consider myself a professional adventurer, but I get just as much satisfaction from consulting on other expeditions than I do from completing my own. No longer am I searching for a journey bigger and better than the last, I’m comfortable with taking a couple of days out to paddle across a lake or along a canal should time not allow a half-year of global investigation. Adventures are not just read about in the Guinness book of World Records, nor are they resigned to the scientific corners of the RGS, they are as much about self-improvement than self promotion. Goodness knows, my biggest adventure is ongoing: to discover a way of being successful in between expeditions, as well as during them.

I know what and who I am now, and it’s largely down to having a friendship group that includes others who have chosen that life of blisters and freedom. Having regular contact with ocean rowers, global circumnavigators, polar skiers and real-life explorers whose own achievements really shed some light (and shadow) on my own geographical ventures has both planted my feet firmly on the ground, but also allowed a new spreading of wings. You might think, Wait! Surely you lot are in competition – for media coverage, sponsors, venues at which to present your latest story? And you’d be right, I suppose. Join us for coffee though – you’d be most welcome to – and instead you’ll find a community eager to help each other. You see, we’ve all chosen to do something that offers rewards more in morning smiles than healthy bank balances, and that originates from the simple bliss of distance travel, where each and every one of us has been offered extraordinary kindness by strangers.

I’ve just returned from Stand Up Paddling across Lake Geneva with a friend of mine named Sebastian. He’s currently chasing down a list of 100 Things he wishes to achieve before he’s 30 (www.100things.com.au). Then, in early June I’ll be joined by the marvellous Sarah Outen in a Bath to London paddle on Stand Up Paddleboards – in which we’re inviting everyone and anyone to join us for a stretch in return for a bit of sponsorship for our two charities (if you’re interested, check out www.thegreatbigpaddle.com). In July and August I’m off to South America to manage the Mototaxi Junket, the latest Adventurists’ (www.theadventurists.co.uk) mission involving motorbikes, sofas and a race over the Andes. It’ll be lovely pushing all these energy-filled adventurers out of Cuzco and then welcoming them into Ascuncion, and although I’d be quite keen to actually take part in the race I’m quietly glad to be behind the scenes – not because I’m getting a bit old for all this, it’s just you can see more from back there.

This is the second article in the Adventurer’s Blogging Chain. The next article will be hosted by Sarah Outen. In due course, you will be able follow all the articles here on Twitter.