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 resort contact for The Rider Social"
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 London and moved out to the mountains full time in 2006.
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 The Rider Social.
"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….