Tao Berman interview

How come you became a kayaker. When you got a first idea of starting kayaking at all?

I became a kayaker when I was 14 years old. I've always liked individual sports that are dangerous, so kayaking just seemed like a good idea. And I became a professional when I started running a lot of big waterfalls and rapids that not many other people wanted to do. Companies started asking me if I would start using their gear and they started paying me. That's how I became a professional.

Who was your first sponsor?

My first sponsor was Werner paddles. I was like 15 years old. I lost my paddle on the river. I didn't have any money and I was like: "Shoot, maybe I should trying to get a free paddle." That's how I got my first sponsor.

What takes the biggest part in your kayaking. Is it work for you or is it fun?

The best part of my carrier is that I like my job. Every time I go out it's work, but I like it. I like it very much.

Do you think you're a happy person? Are you satisfied with the life you're living?

Yeah, I mean: At this point of my life I have a perfect life. I get to travel all over the world and see new countries, like Russia, that I haven't seen before. And I get paid to do it. I couldn't ask for a better life than this.

What are your after carrier plans?

When I'm done kayaking: I think I will retire from kayaking in my mid 30ies. Maybe in another 10 years or so. And maybe I'll just buy some houses and rent them out and I'll do bike more than I do right now. But I'll never really retire, I'll always do something. Maybe I'll do more motivational speaking appearances. Which I'm already doing somehow in the United States. I'm not sure yet.

What's your hobbies besides kayaking?

Besides kayaking my hobbies are: motorcycle riding on the street and on dirt, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, rock climbing. I like golfing too. And I like to shoot guns. And then mountain biking also. Those are my main hobbies.

What do you feel just before the jump of some scary stuff and what you feel after you run it?

When I kayak big waterfalls I can't say that I really get scared or that I feel adrenalin. I think that feeling fear comes from doubt and I just don't doubt myself. If I did, I wouldn't do it. So, for me I just think of what I need to do to get thru it without dying or getting hurt. That's what's going thru my head. And at the bottom I'm just like "Yeah, good, it worked well"

Do you feel fear while paddling and what was the last time when you was scared?

I think that I have the ability to feel fear, but I can't remember the last time I did in my kayak I think that I can feel fear, but my threshold for when I start getting scared I think is probably much higher than most people's. I can't really say that I feel scared in my kayak. At all. No, I don't think so. Maybe I'm not quite upright up here (shows his head).

Do you have any talisman, or some stuff that brings you luck, or maybe there's a ritual that you follow before getting in the boat?

Yes. It's kind of funny, it sound like it's a sponsors thing, but it's actually not. My ritual before I go out and paddle or train or race is always to drink a red bull. I toast with my friends, drink red bull and that's the only ritual that I have.

That helps you paddling?

I don't know. I just always do it. I've just done it for so long. I just like it. It's nice.

Which of your achievements you proud the most?

One time there was this girl: No, I'm kidding. (Hahaha) I think some of my greatest achievements are not always what the mainstream media uses to make my biggest achievements for example running 98feet waterfall or running 300 foot sliding waterfall the media always like to cover. For me those are definitely achievements but I would say probably more on the motivational speaking level, when I'm talking to thousands kids. Trying to keep them away from doing drugs and things of that nature. And they are all very into what I'm saying. I would say that it's very rewarding.

So, you use your kayaking to improve human relations?

I try to. I try using my kayaking to help kids find the positive direction. It doesn't mean it has to be kayaking. It just has to be something that they find is positive so that they don't make poor choices with their lives.

Thanx a lot, man.

In America there's many kids that don't have parents surround to keep an eye on them and they are kind of out of control. So, when there's those of us in role model position I think we should be doing what we can to help the children.

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