Introducing - Harley Trafford
From Abel Tasman Seal Swim & Abel Tasman Kayaks
Abel Tasman Seal Swim & Abel Tasman Kayaks operate out of
Marahau. Their low impact, eco-friendly seal swim allows these
beautiful animals to respond in their own way. With small group
numbers, the experience is engaging and personal. Abel Tasman
Kayaks offers a comprehensive portfolio of guided, day and
multi-day tours to suit time and interests. Their
interpretation of the environment is renowned and gives you the
knowledge to see beyond the obvious beauty. Both businesses
are Qualmark accredited and hold a Qualmark Enviro-Silver
award.
1. What are your role and responsibilities?
Seal swim guide, I swim in the water with the
clients while the driver stays aboard the boat. I'm there to keep
it safe, plan the day and provide a bit of entertainment and
information, but mainly just to make sure everyone has a good day
and gets the most out of the trip. I also work around the base and
I am going to be doing some sea-kayak guiding this
summer.
2. What's the first thing you do on a Saturday
morning?
Drink a smoothie. I usually work Saturdays so a
smoothie is a good quick breakfast if I've taken too long to wake
up, plus you can put pretty much anything in a smoothie. Then I'm
out the door to start preparing the seal cave.
3. What are you reading at the moment?
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, On The Road by Jack
Kerouac and Dolphin, Dolphin by Wade Doak. I always leave books in
places so start a new one until I can find the first one and finish
it. I have almost finished Catch-22 and it is awesome, On The Road
isn't really doing it for me yet, but I have just started it and
I'm sure it gets better. I read an article by Wake Doak recently
and he sounds hilarious, he's this old dude who calls it as
he sees it and is also just this brilliant underwater expert so I
am carrying around one of his books but haven't started it
yet.
4. If you were to be stranded on an island, which three
things would you bring with you?
My ukulele. Not only does it fit the island
aesthetic but also I imagine that there is a lot of time to
practice when your stranded. After that I can't decide between
something practical like food and water or a pen and paper so I can
write about the experience and sell it to Hollywood the second I
get rescued.
5. If I invited myself over to your house for dinner,
using only the contents in your fridge right now, what would you
make me?
Pizza. I have figured out a pretty solid recipe for
pizza dough, and I'm not too sure what's in the fridge at the
moment but whatever it is you can normally make it work on a
pizza.
6. Where would you rather be right now?
I'm pretty happy where I am at the moment. I
live in an area that thousands of people a year travel across the
globe to visit. It would be nice to be exploring some exotic place
though.
7. What advice would you give to your 15 year old
self?
Don't wear the crushed velvet suit to the ball; it's
not as pimping as you think it is. And think about a
haircut.
8. If you could only ever go one place in the world on
holiday for the rest of your life - where would it be?
Tonga, I went there a few years ago to swim with
humpback whales and just loved the whole pace of life
there.
9. If you acquire one new skill within the next 24
hours, what would it be?
Like realistically? I am trying to learn how to play
Stray Cat Strut on my ukulele; I might have it down within 24
hours. Otherwise I have always thought it would be awesome to know
how to fly a helicopter.
10. What's one thing most people do not know
about you?
I think I am pretty much a 'what you see is what you
get' kind of guy. I have a lightning bolt shape waxed into the hair
on the chest at the moment and I am trying not to show that to too
many people.
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