#24 David Smart on Founding a Paddleboard Company, Overcoming Demons, and Riding the Waves of Life

Having an intimate, first-time conversation with someone can be as unpredictable as an open ocean paddle. Fortunately, I chose well as this conversation is with the person who makes the best paddles in the world.

David Smart is perhaps not the typical dude you would expect to find carving a niche in surf culture. As much as he loves the water and the thrill of exploring it on a board, he also is passionate about markets and trading. For decades he has enjoyed the intellectual challenge of trying to understand what drives markets, whether it be fundamental, emotional, or technical matters. It was actually David’s trading career that brought him to live in Southeast Asia, then to seek the tranquility of paddling on the Andaman Sea, and then to bail out a beleaguered stand up paddle manufacturer. Now, as the founder of Squamish, BC-based Blackfish Paddles, David is committed to making the best paddles available with the least environmental footprint.

Alongside his professional accomplishments, David is also a family man and credits much of his successes to the support of his wife and kids. In the spirit of gritty vulnerability, in this episode David reveals many of the struggles that have shaped his life journey, from an unstable childhood home and the emergence of inner demons to entrepreneurial woes and financial calamity. His belief in the goodness of people, a pact with his sister, and his daily meditation routine have helped him serve himself and others more fully and authentically.

Blackfish Paddles may be a success in the SUP industry, but what drives David is his alignment with purpose that is putting people all over the globe on the water to experience the beauty of this blue planet. Purpose. Paddle. Perfect.

Please enjoy this episode of Salish Wolf with David Smart.

Episode Links:

Blackfish

Blackfish Videos – including Norm Hann on Howe Sound

Meditation App: https://wakingup.com/

Anchor Point Links:

Men’s Retreats at Anchor Point Expeditions