Dean Dunbar

Dean Dunbar, blind adventurer, inspirational public speaker

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

21.07.25 – Clunie Loch, Scotland
The calm after the storm.
5 minutes earlier, while paddling on my knees with my head down, I had been drinking the rain water as it poured down my head and cascaded off my shoulders straight into my mouth.
https://t.co/bKRkA1U2kt

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

Dean talks to Maddi and Holly on S3E3 of the Rise and Glide podcast.
Read more - https://t.co/XoVuUB2HBX

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

23.04.25 – Due to an injury I’m currently swapping paddling for pedaling. Today Rhona, Molly & I had a wee cycle along the Monsal Trail, where there were many dark tunnels with water dripping on us. I half expected to be grabbed by the Trolls. (Nobody wants to be grabbed there!)

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

Bumped into the Clunie Loch Baywatch Babes – Linda, Rosie and Ann – before they went in for their very chilly swim. Rosie assured us that the water was definitely getting warmer. Well, I guess water is warmer than ice. I’ll stick with being on the water and not in it!!

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

05.12.24 I'll be doing a 50mins talk about some of my adventures over the last 20+ years. Some of those that went right & some that didn’t. The talk will be called “Blind & Dangerous or Blind & Daft?” The audience can make up their own minds to which fits.
https://t.co/WlVatkr0ZP

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

18.09.24 - Denmark
After yesterdays’ disastrous training session I came in early this morning to get a couple of circuits in before the race this afternoon.
https://t.co/iuqQo7t9X3

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

06.09.24 - Courier Magazine
Thanks to Gayle Ritchie for the great article and to Steve MacDougall for the fab pics!
https://t.co/PhHtHF5rgF

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

https://t.co/dM2BIzPqQc

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

24.08.24 Big Dippa
Chasing lighthouses.
In 1991/92 I lived worked & occasionally partied (hard) in Whitley Bay. So when I heard there was going to be a race day there & Northern SUP Race Club were involved, it was a no-brainer.
https://t.co/VVfyCcDGhA

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

A massive THANK YOU to Sarah @SUPjunkie_uk , Sarah Perkins, Jo Dicken, and the many others I met at the Big Dippa in Whitley Bay for their support.
https://t.co/o97iNJxQJN

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

17.08.24 Loch Tay, Scotland
The forecast said wind & that’s exactly what we got!
I was back swimming with my wonderful friend & awesome open water swimmer Colleen Blair. Go Swim had multiple events 250m-10k. We would be doing the 3k swim.
https://t.co/UeKG52DGrm

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

06.08.24. Just confirmed that my wonderful friend & open water swim legend Colleen Blair will be my sighted guide for the 3k Loch Tay swim @goswimbritain on 17 Aug. To say I’m chuffed is an understatement. We haven’t swum together for almost 12 years. Mega excited and can’t wait

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

28.07.24 – Loch Lomond, Scotland
Marshals to the rescue, again!
https://t.co/f2HsBlBxb6
@palmequipment @LodgeLochLomond @glasgowpboardco

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

Thanks Simon. Really enjoyed chatting with you. And thanks for your brilliant support!
UDATE
24th of July, (a few weeks after recording this podcast), I was told that I WILL be going to Copenhagen to represent Scotland in the ISA World Paddleboard Champs!
https://t.co/ope1RCHp8L

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

20.07.24 – Moray Firth Challenge
Although this was my 3rdMoray Firth Challenge, it was the 1st where I didn’t already have a sighted guide. But after speaking to ...
https://t.co/MzKCtNEDSE

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

13.07.24 - Holy Isle Challenge - Arran, Scotland
Dean & Rhona took part in the Otter's Tail Arran 11km paddle from Lamlash, around Holy Isle, and back to Lamlash.
Rho on her SUP, and Dean on his prone.
Read more: https://t.co/jjuoFlJ0Nk

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

Rho & I have just signed up for the 3km Go Swim Loch Tay event on Sat 17th of August. We're really looking forward to it! I've not swam since last Sept's Lamlash Splash, so hope wetsuit still fits!!
Just got to find a guide swimmer now!
https://t.co/lkHWFpuOVb
@goswimbritain

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

Dean Dunbar Becomes Scottish National Paddleboard Champion. https://t.co/A05ZqCrw1s via @Audioboom

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

New Board Day – 06.06.24
A few days after buying this new Hypr prone paddleboard, Rhona & I had a wee session with our great friends Carl and Maria Sawyer, down at Exmouth in Devon.
Thanks so much to Carl for shooting and editing this fab wee video for me.
https://t.co/vy6ql0uQTG

[Dean Dunbar @dean_talks]

On 2 June I became the 1st blind person to win a national proneboard championships. This should qualify me to compete @ the World Champs in Denmark this Sept. Sadly as the ISA (International Surfing Association) rules currently stand it's looking unlikely.https://t.co/vy6ql0uQTG