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Meet the crew

The Paddledogs (L to R) Troy McDonald, Brendan Clark, Greg Gambrill, Paul Crawford, Robin Hay.

	Name	Paul Crawford
	DOB	1 March 1969
	Family	2 perfect children…Logan (3) and Laria (15 months); 2 Australian Cattledogs
	Profession	International aid worker (www.aid-it.com.au)
	Qualifications	Doctorate of Philosophy Master of Business Administration Bachelor of Rural Science Aircraft pilot
	Other significant physical challenges	Climbed Mount Kenya twice (4,985 m; second highest mountain in Africa) 2 marathons (Sydney) 4 half marathons (Sydney and Lake Macquarie) Numerous triathlons and 10 km races Several multi-day mountain bike expeditions Cycled around Tasmania as a teen-ager
	Fears	Injury Conflict within the team affecting sound decision-making

	Name	Robin Hay
	DOB	17th April 1957
	Family	Son: Thomas (17) who has just got his "P's" (in more ways than one) so...congratulations!
	Profession	Genetic Counsellor (Google it if you are curious)
	Qualifications	BA (Contempory Music), Grad. Dip. (Genetic Couns.)
	Other significant physical challenges	Numerous self-supported multi-day mountain bike expeditions (biggest was 470km in 5 days when aged 49 yrs 51/52nd weeks!)
	Fears	Breaking waves; sharks!

	Name	Greg Gambrill
	DOB	6 June 1953
	Family	I answer to Vivienne and my kids, Joshua (22), Jordan (20), Caitlin (15), step daughters Kelly (21) and Leah (19)
	Profession	Corporate Technical Manager
	Qualifications	PhD (Ecology), BSc (Geology), BA (Hons, Physical Geography),MAIFST, MAIBiol
	Other significant physical challenges	3 marathons, 2 Six Foot Track ultramarathons, numerous City-to-Surf and other fun runs, rockclimbing, caving, mountain biking and bushwalking
	Fears	Starting lines!

	Name	Brendan Clark
	DOB	11 July 1967
	Family	Arja (16), Tomicka (14),, Joey (11), Billy (11), Bailey (9) and Lynita (30 something!)...and yes we have a TV!
	Profession	Physiotherapist
	Qualifications	BAppSc Physiotherapy, MHlthSc Sports Physiotherapy
	Other significant physical challenges	5 marathons (including the Six-foot Track), World Masters 2km Beach Run Champion (2006), 100km Oxfam Trailwalker
	Fears	Hypothermia, team (un)cohesian, fatigue

	Name	Troy McDonald
	DOB	25 August 1968
	Family	Married
	Profession	Management Accountant
	Qualifications	Bachelor of Business, CPA
	Other significant physical challenges	Bunch finishes at state & national masters road & criterion cycle races, Iron Man, Audax Alpine Classic (200km cycle in Vic snow country)
	Fears	Sea sickness, big waves & cold water

Why we’re crossing Bass Strait

Five mates. One Strait. One life. Why not?

Paul, Greg and Robin have been kayaking on Lake Macquarie and along the Hunter Coast for a couple of years. Brendan and Troy have joined up more recently. We’ve each earned some modest fitness and adventure credentials, but none of us have attempted a sea kayak expedition of the magnitude of Bass Strait.

For several years, Greg, Robin and Paul have done end-of-year adventure challenges…mountain biking in Wollemi National Park, paddling up the Myall River, mountain biking to the junction of MacDonald River and Yango Creek. With Paul’s 40^th birthday approaching he wondered if it wasn’t time to push the envelope a bit, and on a flight from Melbourne to Hobart he was transfixed by the string of Islands passing under the wing across eastern Bass Strait, and wondered if a sea kayak expedition could be the next big challenge.

About Our Name

When we approached the Black Dog Institute with our idea to paddle Bass Strait, they suggested that we needed a team name. We then had a protracted democratic process, reminiscent of the US presidential primaries…and eventually settled on the name ‘Paddledogs’.

We paddle. We like the Black Dog Institute. We live near Newcastle (c.f. “Tap Dogs”). If we fall out of our boats, we dog paddle. One rude person suggested that ‘DOGS’ might stand for “Depressed Old Guys”!

For all of the reasons…we’re the Paddledogs!

Our cool logo was designed by Arja Clark…Brendan’s eldest daughter (16). She’d like to be a graphic designer, and we reckon she’s got great talent. Email Arja (arja.clark@hotmail.com) if you have any design work you’d like her to do.