ThePADDLER 40
PALM HAS TAPPED INTO THE BOOMING SUP MARKET . ARE THERE ANY OTHER AREA OF PADDLESPORT YOU ’ RE LOOKING TO MOVE INTO ? There aren ’ t many areas where Palm gear doesn ’ t appear . It would be great to be more versatile in speciality areas like slalom . But there are some great players in those areas , so we are quite happy to stay in our lane . That said , we will never stop looking at ways to improve , so a step may not be another segment , instead serving a wider range of users with more choice in an existing one .
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What ’ s the biggest lesson you ’ ve learned in business with Palm ? Haha – that everyone has an opinion about colours ! Being relatively naïve when I started , I think I ’ ve learnt that you need to be profitable . It ’ s not the only reason for being in business , but it ’ s essential if you want to stick around , produce quality , and continue investing back in . That means making sure the sewing machinist on the factory floor is paid fairly just as much as having the money to carry on designing and developing great gear .
Palm has many links with up and coming young paddlers , and we should look out for in the next few years ? We ’ ve just finished a mini-Bren ’ s Park Jam tour – a skateboard style jam session for the kids at the whitewater courses with our ambassador Bren Orton . It was amazing two years from the last one to see some of the kids who are now absolutely ripping .
Palm is heavily involved with river environments - what do you see as the biggest threat to rivers in the UK and the wider world ? I grew up paddling on the river Wye . In the summer , it no longer flows sufficiently to support the ecosystem around it – a lot to do with extraction for intensive irrigation . And when it does rise , often through disastrous flooding , the amount of wash-off pollutants is quite scary .
If you could head anywhere in the world to paddle , where would it be , and what appeals about that location ? I ’ ve never been , but I want to go to Dakar in Senegal – for the surf and music culture .
What ’ s the most enjoyable encounter with wildlife that you ’ ve had whilst paddling ? I spent a day with Cal Major on her round Scotland trip , and we paddled around Troup Head which is home to Europe ’ s largest colony of Gannets – thousands of them . It was so cool to watch them diving at speed headfirst into the sea , although our paddling kit stank of bird poo after .
Are there any issues that stop you from sleeping at night ? When your work is your passion , it is sometimes hard to park it and not take criticisms or opinions personally . But if I ’ ve been paddling , then no , it ’ s sweet dreams .
What ’ s your most embarrassing moment ? All of them . But years before I started working for Palm , I always admired the Palm Explorer touring cag as an off water jacket . I tried it on at the canoe exhibition and went to the toilet to check it out in a mirror . As I was there , I thought I ’ d go for a pee . The next thing I knew , Andy came in … being caught at a urinal wearing your sponsors most expensive product was taking the p *** in more ways than one .
What do you do to relax away from the world of paddlesports ? Mountain bike fast , DJ vinyl records badly , and eat cake .
Where do you see yourself in 20 years ? I ’ ll be 66 , so maybe on route to surf somewhere in a camper or sailing boat .
We know you ’ re an enthusiastic dog owner ; does he take part in your paddling activities ? Our new puppy Mac is just five months old , so although he ’ s been in a canoe , he still has to get his water legs . He ’ s a Flatcoat Retriever , though , so it shouldn ’ t be too hard with his DNA .
Any final thoughts on Palm or the wider paddlesports industry ? A short time ago , we went to a store to do some boat testing . As we arrived , one of the owners of another brand I had worked with when I came out of college was there . Later that day , another old friend who had previously been a sponsor was also there . Both are entirely random meetings . They were as stoked to see us as we were them , and we all chatted freely about what we ’ d been up to – in work and at home . I ’ m super honoured that I work in a sport that has this level of camaraderie and randomness .
What projects is Barney Caulfield ( head product designer ) currently working on , and if it ’ s hush , hush , we won ’ t mention it to anyone ;)? I ’ ll offer some words . Softer . Stretchier . Recycled . Plus .