Two years after being registered blind, at the age of 29, Dean did a charity tandem skydive which changed his life.
Since then he has notched up over 120 activities around the world, ranging from adventure racing to zorbing, and set over 25 world firsts in activities ranging from open-water swimming to stand up paddle-boarding.
Dean Dunbar is a registered blind adventurer and extreme sports enthusiast, based in Perthshire, Scotland.
In the early days, 9 out of 10 outdoor companies would say "no" when Dean wanted to come along to play.
In 2002 Dean created and launched his website extremedreams.co.uk to say thank you to the awesome 1 out of 10 companies who said yes!
Since launching the website in 2002, Dean has been asked to talk at many different events, but being scared of an audience he couldn’t see, he always said "no".
In 2012, Dean finally said "yes", and hasn’t stopped. He has talked at the Scottish Outdoor Pursuits Show, twice, the Fort William Mountain Festival, Dundee University, and for several private groups. In January 2016 he is booked to talk at the Buxton Adventure Festival, and the Adventure Travel Show in London.
In 2014, Dean was invited to introduce one of his films at the Dundee Mountain Film Festival. This year, 2015, he has been asked back to introduce another one.
If Dean isn’t preparing for his next talk, he’ll be training for his next challenge!
"Dean’s inspiring presentation to our audience at the Fort William Mountain Festival in February 2015 was one to remember. Fascinating … inspirational … funny … extreme! This insight into how Dean interprets the world was brilliant as he recounted his adventure of being the first registered blind person to paddle the Caledonian Canal over its entire length on a Stand-up Paddle board. A truly engaging speaker who’s energy and optimism on life’s adventure is infectious."
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Paul Kelly and Tina Davenport |
Become a part of Dean’s adventures as he talks you through the highs, lows, thrill and spills
Click here to see the full list of Dean's World Firsts, with links to full write-ups
Read more on all Dean’s challenges and adventures on extremedreams.co.uk
"At Design in Action we are always looking for great speakers to deliver inspiring and insightful talks to our audiences. Dean Dunbar was a great asset to our outdoor sport themed event, where he spoke to a large audience made up of businesses, academics and designers. Through his talk, he was able to inspire every single person in the room by telling his story of bravery, excitement and his passion for extreme sport. Dean Dunbar is one of the best public speakers I have ever come across and am privileged to have met."
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Dawn Campbell |
Having taken on well over 100 challenges around the world and set over 25 world firsts, Dean has a large repertoire to draw upon. Whether it be talking about becoming the first person to abseil the UK’s highest waterfall, or swim the UK’s highest loch, or being the first registered blind person to stand up paddle-board from the Scilly Isles to Cornwall, or bungee jump from a helicopter, Dean has many experiences to share.
Dean has come up against many barriers, with many people telling him that it wouldn’t be possible for a blind person to do these things. Over the years he has made contact with some amazing people with a more “can do” attitude, and they have helped him to prove that the naysayers were wrong.
Dean talks enthusiastically about his hunt for adrenaline, and how being registered blind has not held him back. In fact, sometimes this has been his driving force, to prove to himself and the world that being registered blind does not have to be a barrier.
Dean believes that disability does not always equate to inability, and lack of sight does not mean lack of vision.
The audience are in for an entertaining, and alternative look at adventure, and should walk away saying “if that numpty can do it, what’s stopping me!?!”
