ThePADDLER 38
An interview with the relentless …
DAVE
MANBY
Interview : Peter Tranter Photos : Dave Manby
Dave Manby is a name that needs little introduction to the vast majority of WW paddlers – a true pioneer of river exploration in the remotest of locations and all well before the modern tech of nowadays . Recently Dave has been inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame in the Advocate category for 2021 , but Dave doesn ’ t feel that he deserves the place as one other certain late paddler of international fame isn ’ t included within any of the categories .
Dave doesn ’ t hold back and starts the interview by stating , “ The IWHoF . Have a look at the list of honourees ! Mike Jones isn ’ t there ! So I shouldn ’ t be there . It took a while for the ‘ mericans to realize that international requires people from outside of the USA to be international . Walt Blakadar ( from Idaho , USA ) paddled the Turnback Canyon ( Alsek , Alaska , USA ) and into fame when Mike Jones and Mick Hopkinson were halfway down the Blue Nile . Micks comments to me when he reluctantly accepted his nomination was “ We were half way down a river on a different continent and he is awarded as an ‘ explorer ’ when he didn ’ t leave his own country ! However I ’ ve been awarded this honour for advocacy not expeditions and I ’ m honoured to be selected for advocacy – think I ’ ve done a bit of that !”
Take it away Dave …