Stories From The Water | Find inspiration from paddler's stories

Thames Source to Sea – Ed Pratt

25/07/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Adventurer Ed Pratt has completed a solo mission to travel the length of the River Thames from source to sea. He recorded a daily video about his trek on Youtube and raised about £22,000 in funds and awareness for The Rivers Trust. The Trust’s mission is to improve the health…

The Great Glen Challenge… in 24 hours – Geoff Potts

16/07/202416/07/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Geoff Potts is a well accomplished paddler already, holding a multitude of qualifications and credentials. But he decided he wanted to push himself in a physical challenge, and with it raise some money for a well deserving challenge. Check out his report on completing the Great Glen challenge in under…

24 Hours Paddling the Trent Loop

19/06/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

On the 8th June, three of my freestyle friends and I set off from Beeston Weir on an epic 24 hours paddling around the Trent Loop. This was all to raise money for three very worthy charities, British Heart Foundation, Olive Tree Hospice, and Watersafe UK Search and Rescue Team.…

Coast to Coast on a SUP – Anthony and Chuck

24/01/202426/01/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

New Year's day was when Anthony Ing and Chuck Norris (A.K.A Chuck) set off from Liverpool dock. Leaving the west coast of England, with the east coast firmly in their sights. This epic paddle of 160 miles is with the aim of raising money for Suicide Prevention UK, a charity…

james celebrating after a world championships run

Mental Health and Paddling – James Ibbotson

01/11/202306/11/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Mental health is just like physical health: we all have it. At times it may be good, other times it maybe bad. But we all have it and we all need to look after it. That is something I have come to learn. The only thing is, you can’t see…

Layla competing at the 2022 world championships

Black History Month – GB Team’s Layla Al-Riyami

18/10/202320/10/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

As part of Black History month, we caught up with Layla Al-Riyami, a freestyle kayaker who has been to two world championships representing Britain. She is a well accomplished paddler at only 17 year old, with a very bright future ahead of her. Layla is a paddler of colour, making…

#ShePaddles weekend coaching! – Sophie Macken

12/09/202313/03/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

At Broadways Meadows, just outside Loughborough, a recent #ShePaddles event took place. This event was aiming to get women from the East Midlands onto the water and enjoying the sport. Making use of Paddle UK’s launch point and land on the River Soar, there was plenty going on over the…

Jon in his kayak ready to set off on his challenge

Power2Inspire – 108 Challenge

06/09/202313/03/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Disability charity founder, John Willis, completes his biggest ever challenge - a 108 miles long River Thames paddle challenge. 108 miles, 5 counties, a whole host of amazing volunteers and 1 mission – to raise vital funds for his charity. With support from Paddle UK and months in the planning,…

Steve Backshall sets a World Record

29/08/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

BBC presenter and naturalist Steve Backshall, and his partner Tom McGibbon, have set a world record for the fastest time to paddle the length of the River Thames. The world record, achieved in a double kayak, concluded after 20 hours and 29 minutes and involved navigating the river throughout the…

East of England Paddlesports: Circumnavigation around Mersea Island on a Mega SUP

14/08/202314/03/2024 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

East of England Paddlesports is the largest Paddle UK affiliated online group with over 12k members, we aim to promote safe paddling and encourage grass roots paddling of all types in a safe and responsible way. Every year, we aim to raise money for a charity by doing something paddling…

AquaPaddle Adventure: A Memorable 5K Journey on Water

01/08/202304/08/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

AquaPaddle is a weekly organised paddle, taking place up and down the country on a waterway near you. We caught up with Craig Duff after he joined his local paddle with his son! Sunday brought a thrilling new experience for me, an avid 5K Park Runner, and my enthusiastic 5-year-old…

Journeys into SUP Racing – Sarah Thornely (SUP Junkie)

22/05/202306/06/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Following on from my piece “Have you heard about SUP racing”, I thought I would highlight three women who have caught the racing bug to showcase the transition from leisure paddler to SUP racer. [caption id="attachment_29061" align="alignnone" width="1500"] Karen Greener[/caption] Sarah Perkins Sarah was a sporty kid before “a wonky…

three paddle boarders paddling on coniston water

A Weekend in Coniston – James Ibbotson

20/04/202303/05/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Coniston lake is the third largest lake in the Lake District, and is surrounded by lots of the beauties of the national park. So Myself, Kerry, David, and Tamsyn decided to take advantage of the Experience Freedom glamping site situated next to the lake for a weekend getaway. We opted…

Saira Is-Haq paddling onto a lake with hilly surroundings

Balancing family life and Kayaking – Saira Is-Haq

29/03/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Saira Is-Haq has been a passionate kayaker for a long time, loving her time out on the water. She has also helped to pass her love for the water onto others, becoming a British Canoeing #ShePaddles Ambassador in 2022. Saira is determined to keep up her passion for kayaking alongside…

a group of people being led through yoga on paddle boards

Tara Sutthoff Crist – SUP Yoga

15/03/202312/04/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

I returned to the UK after 14 years abroad, as a single parent of two young girls ready to restart life and build up my yoga students all over again. Joining the local canoe club was not only affordable but it was my saving grace. Once I found a babysitter…

Chris Nadollek in his kayak on the whitewater

Chris Nadollek – Learning to whitewater kayak with a disability

23/02/202324/02/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Chris Nadollek is a whitewater paddler and wheelchair user from Nottingham who has been paddling at Holme Pierrepont Canoe Club since 2021. We caught up with Chris, club coach Andy Steel, and club Chair Dawn Scott, to find out more about his journey with the club and how the club…

the front of a wooden SUP paddling into mass greenary

Brian Farley – A Poem from a SUP

30/01/202330/01/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

I enjoy looking at nature, just standing still to observe it - but on a SUP! I wrote this poem based on William Davies poem “Leisure”, but totally rewritten from the point of view of a chilled out paddler, aged 75. I’ve spent most of my life as a carer…

Anastasia Mylona kayaking with a large smile

Anastasia Mylona – How learning to kayak helped my mental and physical health

18/01/202318/01/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

We caught up with Anastasia Mylona, a member of Isis Canoe Club in Oxford. Anastasia took up paddling during the pandemic. She shares with us how learning to kayak has significantly improved her mental health. It has also allowed her to connect with nature. I have always lived near the…

Gemma Palmer-Dighton

10/01/202318/01/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Hi everyone, I’m Gemma. I’m proud to be a role model for people from a global majority background who might not have considered taking up paddle boarding as a sport. May my actions of being visible and championing an often overlooked ‘Black’ perspective reverberate, inspire others and encourage collaborations. Now…

Josephine Bennington’s story

10/01/202318/01/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Josephine is a long-time sea kayaker and all round adventurer, who spent five years travelling across Switzerland via rail, toured much of Europe via bike, and has returned to kayaking after many years away. As part of our #WePaddleTogether commitments to celebrate role models from under-represented groups, and listen to…

Linda Smith and Andy Garland ready to set off with their canoe

Linda Smith and Andy Garland – An Inland Adventure

10/01/202303/02/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Linda Smith and Andy Garland set off on an inland adventure the length of Wales along the England-Wales border. They sent us over this report to give us a flavor of how it all went and any issues they faced. In May 2022 we embarked upon a trip that we’d…

Will Behenna on his seated inclusive paddleboard

Will Behenna – SIP Paddler

10/01/202318/01/2023 by jamesibbotson

jamesibbotson

Despite the devastation of being unable to walk following a cycling accident, 35 years ago, Will Behenna was determined not to let it affect his love of the outdoors. “I was always into outdoor stuff,” said Dorset-based paddler Will Behenna. “So I just kind of carried on.” This conviction has…

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