It only takes a quick glance at David Haze’s impressive—albeit grueling—schedule to know 2024 might just be his year.
The first six months alone see him paddling the highest lake in England, circumnavigating Fiji’s two biggest islands, tracing the coast of Dorset, tandem paddling across the English Channel, and crossing the Adriatic Sea, which is a feat that will necessitate sleeping on his board. By the year’s end, he’ll have attempted 33 world records in 33 countries over a period of 66 days.
Haze, it seems, is making up for lost time. Less than four years ago he was in prison, serving his second sentence.
From prison to eight-time SUP world record holder
“I remember sitting in the cell, just a broken man; a skeleton of who I used to be,” says Haze, who was contemplating suicide at the time. “And I was like, ‘Where did it all go wrong?’”
He found salvation in a stack of standup paddleboarding magazines, which had been sent to him by his mom.
Haze had always loved being on the water and by the age of 18, had become a national champion sailor. An addictive personality allowed adventure to drive him—but when he moved to London, it was pushed aside for other addictions, including drugs, gambling and eventually crime.
So, he set an ambitious goal for himself: When he got released, he’d paddleboard the four longest lakes in the U.K., in an attempt to set four world records. Sharing his plans with another inmate who was a personal trainer, he developed an in-house training regime and got to work.
David Haze by the numbers
33: Number of world records Haze will attempt to set in 2024
8: Number of world records Haze has set since his release from prison in 2020
51: Number of months Haze served behind bars
2: Number of world firsts, including first completely carbon-neutral environmental expedition
£15,000: Amount of money Haze has raised for charity
A record-breaking redemption arc
Haze has more than made good on that promise to himself. Since his release in April 2020, he’s set eight records, making him the holder of the most SUP-related records in the world. In 2023, he was named Supconnect’s Man of the Year, as well as Ocean Activist of the Year by Surfers Against Sewage. Haze aims for each of his expeditions to be net-zero, even going so far as to paddle around the Isle of Wight in 2022 on a board made out of rubbish. It didn’t survive the trip and Haze ended up having to wade through the water to finish the last five kilometers. “The board was horrendous,” he says with a laugh.
In addition to advocating for the transformational impact of sport on those who have experienced the criminal justice system, he aligns each of his expeditions to causes he feels deeply connected.
“I owe it to the system to give something back and help other people,” he says.
For example, when he flew to Iceland to paddle the country’s longest lake in 2023, he took an unconventional approach to offsetting the carbon emissions of his trip by having 110 trees planted in a prison yard.
“I wanted to create a green space for the lads,” he says. “Prison can be a toxic place. Now they’ve got a bit of nature to escape.”
Haze’s promise to himself
For Haze, being out on the water has been his own escape. It’s the place he’s been able to reconnect with himself—and remind himself what he’s capable of.
“I’ve learned to deal with my demons when I’m out on that water,” he says. “Every time I undertake one of these massive events, I always want to quit. But it’s persevering and knowing if I come across any difficulties in life off the water, I’ve got the power to deal with that.”
“Prison is my biggest failure in life. But it’s become my biggest success; I remember my lowest point and the promise I made to myself. It’s made me live the life I’ve always wanted to live.”
A film about David Haze’s remarkable life won the best SUP film of the year award at the 2024 Paddling Film Festival. Find a screening near you at paddlingfilmfestival.com.
This article was first published in the Spring 2024 issue of Paddling Magazine. David Haze in Kimmeridge, U.K., with his “horrendous” standup paddleboard made from 100-percent recycled materials. | Feature photo: Courtesy David Haze
Outdoor engagement with a mind and heart to serve others – solid gold.