Many crave immortality, yet few achieve it. Dave Surman (age 103) is truly a legend in his own bathtime. ‘The Surmanator’ has achieved near-mythical status amongst those privileged to know him, despite having no immediately obvious function or purpose in the grand scheme of things.
I’m being very unfair … Dave ‘Rodeo Grandude’ Surman has actually introduced, inspired and coached a whole generation of young kayakers, many of whom are now stellar hotshots. Dave is however best known for his ability to reduce polite and patient waitresses to rage and tears. Hand him a menu and time how long it takes him to finish ordering his food …
Dave wanted to try his hand at sea kayaking, and joined us this summer in South Cornwall. We kicked off with a pleasant evening saunter down the River Fowey estuary, and camped near Fowey. We were then stuck there for days on end as successive waves of rain, wind, hail, frogs and locusts destroyed our paddling plans. In the end poor Dave headed home in despair, having paddled precisely zero distance on the sea proper. Maybe next year, Dave?
Ha, but still doesn’t do justice to the whole ‘Surman’ reality. Where did you get that appalling photo from? It’s more wrong than Dave usually achieves! I think Westgarth is still reeling from being Surmanated this weekend…
As Liz says it really doesn’t do the man and his ‘reality distorting aura’ justice. However you’ve given me an idea for a book, I’m sure Dave’s biography could be a comedy best seller…