Dave is an accomplished kayak and ski padder having experienced national and international success representing Australia in both formats. He is the main City VSSA coach working from Fairfield Canoe Club on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.   Dave paddles with an ease that is deceptive, with his boat seemingly effortlessly gliding through the water.

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On the water, David is a role model to younger athletes, illustrating paddling style, training mentality and sportsmanship. More broadly, he is an example to those aspiring athletes that wish to balance academic studies and elite sport pursuits. He advocates for values such as resilience, enthusiasm, self-evaluation and consistency as key qualities that will lead to success in not only kayaking, but life more generally. 

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David’s coaching style is perhaps not as hierarchical and firm as other coaches, however, the athletes recognise his skill and respond to his friendly character. He encourages each of them to pursue their best and, in a comradely way, achieves an effective coaching style. Having Dave on the water adds a sense of elite performance to the squad which permeates the mindset of those being coached on a subtle level.