david
educational visits officer
If I had to go to a deserted island, I’d take…
…fire steel, a leatherman multi-tool, and juggling balls (more than 3).
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Fighter pilot
What was your favourite subject in school?
Geography! For as long as I can remember I have always been interested in how the world works and how humans interact with it.
I’m really proud to be granted FRGS a few years ago.
What is your favourite outdoor activity?
That is like choosing between children! Often it depends on the opportunities that come up.
Riding my bikes, both on and off road, always helps to clear my head and I love the freedom of exploring an area.
Are there any outdoor activities that scare you?
There is a school of thought that there are AIR people who love big skies and the exposure of climbing, mountains, and flight. Others are EARTH people who love caves, white water, and enclosed spaces.
Personally, I am certainly in the AIR camp. Whilst I appreciate the challenge of whitewater and caves, I admit that whitewater still scares me!
What is the next skill you would like to learn?
I love to travel and would love to develop my sea kayaking skills to be able to explore the coastlines of the British Isles and beyond.
What is the next challenge you would like to take on?
South Downs Way, 180-mile wild camping walk.
Which historical figure would you most like to meet?
It would be amazing to meet and talk to Ernest Shackleton, and to find out what made him the leader that he became through the Endeavour Expedition.
Alternatively, Alfred Russel Wallace to hear about how his explorations of south-east Asia led to our understanding of evolution.
Where do you dream of visiting one day?
I have loads of places on my wishlist and they keep on changing and developing, but the one that is always near the top of the list of places to go has to be Antarctica.