SUP Man of the Year 2023 & Ocean Activist of the Year 2023
After losing his identity and hitting absolute rock bottom whilst serving his second prison sentence, David Haze (aka The Nomadic Paddler) was ready to roll over and give up on life. Hopes and dreams were long gone, and he had become a shell of a man he once was whilst sitting in a 6×4 prison cell surrounded by so much failure and negativity.
Through a chance encounter with an inspiring woman who saw David as a lost human being in need of some guidance, he was inspired to embark on a journey of self-discovery to reconnect with himself through adventure. Finding purpose and drive once again, David stepped out of prison in April 2020 and despite the struggles of a global lock-down he achieved his first 4 world records within this first year of his release. David Haze was once a former prisoner but now stands proud as 9x world record holding Stand Up Paddle Boarding adventurer, attempting world firsts and world records.
However, it is not all about the pursuit of records and glory. Adventure has transformed David’s life; it is his tool for growth, change and ultimately his rehabilitation. With the platform he has been handed, he hopes his journey can highlight the importance of reform and rehabilitation and change perspectives on people like himself.
David strives to encourage more people to reconnect with themselves through the power of adventure by taking that small step out of their comfort zone proving that we are all much more than our pasts, our mistakes and demonstrating that we are the only ones in control of own our destinies.