Crew Support
Paul Shirley - 'Shirls'
Crew Support & Back Marker
Originally from the Midlands Paul started skiing in 1983 in communist Bulgaria on a school trip. The final years of that decade saw him living and working in the Balearic’s before returning to the UK.
"Paul is the main contact for Never Summer UK in France"
Trips to the mountains were a relative luxury and it wasn’t until winter 1996 that he first strapped in to a snowboard and learned to turn. He left a London job in media and moved out to the mountains full time in 2006 in search of something less shit and more fulfilling.
Different resort jobs followed before helping set up The Rider Social in 2008. He has the necessary qualifications to safely drive groups on cross-border powder chasing trips in Europe and is main the contact for Never Summer Industries in France. Paul is responsible for the hire and maintenance of the Rider Socials’ fleet of splitboards & the dedicated in-resort contact for anyone coming on a Rider Social trip
"Dedicated in-resort contact for anyone coming on a Rider Social trip"
On Rider Social trips Paul is a designated back marker, its his responsibility to ensure all clients are safely down to where the lead guide stops before heading down himself. He also carries spares and repair kit for the group and holds recognised mountain specific first aid qualifications.
He is also a keen but below average mountain biker….