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SAMURAI MODE AT HOOKIPA: ROEDIGER STRIKES, HUNTER DOMINATESSAMURAI MODE AT HOOKIPA: ROEDIGER STRIKES, HUNTER DOMINATESQUATRO MAUI PRO AMHookipa turned it on in spectacular fashion for finals day as the Quatro Maui Pro Am crowned its mens and womens champions in solid conditions. Right on cue with the forecast, the ocean came alive delivering the perfect arena for the finals day action.In the mens division, Bernd Roediger rose to the occasion with a performance that was nothing short of electric, dropping the highest score of the entire event right towards the end of tense the final. He narrowly edged out Marcilio Browne in a nail-biting finish, with Antoine Martin taking third and Morgan Noireaux having to settle for fourth.Over in the womens, the intensity didnt drop for a second. Marine Hunter charged her way to victory with authority, while Maria Behrens stole the spotlight as the surprise package of the event, claiming an impressive second. Maui veteran Angela Cochran secured third, with Lina Erpenstein finishing fourth.EPIC PHOTOS: FISH BOWL DIARIESClick to enlarge and scrollbest viewed on a big screen!MENWhat a finals day. Seriouslyif you werent watching, you missed a spectacular show.The morning kicked off with frustrating cross onshore northeast windsthe kind that make sailors work for every turnand it all looked a bit crumbly and slow. But as the heats rolled on and the field narrowed, Hookipa flicked the switch. Clean, logo-high sets marched in, the trades swung more easterly and suddenly it was game on.From the quarterfinals onwards, the level went through the roof. Big moves, bigger commitment, high stakes and absolutely zero holding back.LOOK MA NO HANDS!In the semi-finals, Antoine Martin had the crowd on the guardrail losing their minds after sticking a clinical no-handed goiter (7.73). It was the kind of move that will get everybody talking for the next few weeks. Should it have scored moretough call!A one hitter with no set up turns or anything else on the wave.but that one hit was something spectacular and maybe should of been scored in the 8-9 region. Martin was on fire all daythrowing massive goiters, late hits and stylish airs and he was in his element.The crowd loved it and he loves putting on a show for them! That score sent him straight to the main final, leaving one of the event favourites, Bernd Roediger with the slightly less glamorous task of battling through the B final.ROEDIGER STRIKESBut Roediger? He was ice cold.While some other sailors were forcing the issue, Bernd played the long game. Cool calm and collected and seemingly unbothered, he waited patiently for the right waves and when they came, he struck with surgical precision. All while casually listening to Paul Simon on a waterproof speaker slung over his shoulder.Heading into the dying minutes of the main final, Roediger was still trailing. Thenbang. A perfectly executed taka, followed by a spontaneous clew first one-handed hit deep in the pocket. Cue absolute chaos in the commentary box as Kai Katchadourian practically exploded when the judges dropped an 8.93the highest score of the day. We loved the way Kai was so wrapped up in the commentary and immersed in the whole drama that was unfolding!At that point in the final with two minutes or so to go, Bernd wasnt just sailinghe was in another dimension. Samurai mode fully activated. I am not sure if any other sailors would have event contemplated that last hit, but it was Bernd and he was in the flow state and somehow it all just clicked for him when it mattered most.Morgan Noireaux had looked unstoppable earlier in the day, always in the right place with a full arsenal of tricks. Windsurf Predictions were not looking in a good place at all the way he was sailing he looked like he could win itand we had him down for 4th! Surely a blunderBut in the final, Hookipa had other plans. The waves didnt line up for him and despite his form, he just couldnt sync with the ocean when it mattered most.Shoutouts also go to Robby Swift (sailing better than ever), Levi Siver (Always inspiring to watch), Thomas Traversa (Who found his flow), Liam Dunkerbeck (Who nailed one of the best 360s of the day) and Arthur Arutkin (Classic solid sailing took him right through to the top 8), who all delivered standout performances.RESULTS MEN1: Bernd Roediger2: Marcilio Browne3: Antoine Martin4: Morgan NoireauxWINDSURF PREDICTIONS1: Bernd Roediger2: Marc Pare3: Marcilio Browne4: Morgan NoireauxIf theres one thing Hookipa loves, its humbling our predictions. On paper, the picks looked solideven safe. But once the ocean lit up, it started rewriting the script in real time. In the mens, calling Bernd for the win was spot onbut beyond that, it got messy fast. Morgan looked like a guaranteed title threat all day (making that predicted fourth look questionable at best but at least that came in), while Antoine Martin came flying in to crash the podium partywe should of saw that coming!Meanwhile, Marc Par who we pegged for second never found his flow state at all and will be disappointed with his performance. He was not sailing badly at all but never seen in sync with the sets and could not find his flow! Classic Hookipa for you!BERND ROEDIGERYeah, its really hard to get into that level of just carefree sailing because you feel pressure, you feel expectations. Ive found that since the last time I won, its gotten harder to competeits become more difficult to manage those expectations.Back then, it didnt even enter my mind to win. Now it feels like theres more to it. Its more complicated and I guess thats lifeyou make things more complicated on yourself for no reason. So, to be able to get back to that point where you feel totally carefree, totally unattached to the result, where you just go out there, see what happens and follow whats going onits a big thing.You feel it out there. Youre like, OK, Im in last place in the heat. Cool, its not going the way I thought it would, but you just keep sailing and keep believing. All of thatit feels good.Yeah, I cant wait to celebrate. Im so grateful to have won this event. Its amazinglast year it was an experiment and this year its really happeningand happening on this level as a 5 star event. Its really cool. I feel super grateful, especially to Francisco and the team at Quattro and Goya and my own team at Fika and Hot Sails for supporting me for so long. Its unreal.Shout outs to those guys, and to everybody back home watchingthank you so much. On my first heat, the timing lined up exactly with the launch of the Artemis mission, that rocket that just took off. So, I dont know, it just felt like a charmed day the whole time. Even though it was a sketchy start for me, I believed. I believedand thats Hookipa.WOMENThe womens final brought just as much drama, power and tension.Marine Hunter was the clear standoutbringing an aggressive, no-nonsense style to every wave. Powerful top turns, late hits and committed airs made it clear she meant business. When the final horn sounded, there was no doubt who owned the day.Maria Behrens, already emotional just to make the final (She was in tears when being interviewed by Ann Marie), took things to another level. Linking turns beautifully and staying glued to the power source, she secured long, flowing rides and a well-earned second place. Safe to say, she won a lot of fans out there. Her family watching in Germany will be no doubt ecstatic!Angela Cochran reminded everyone exactly why shes a Maui legend, delivering a rock-solid performance to take third.Lina Erpenstein started the final strong with a 6.93 opening wave, but couldnt quite find the backup scores she needed, leaving her in fourth. That put the mockers on our Windsurf Predictions and allowed Paul Van Bellen to win the Windsurfing TV mini competition by a point over Windsurf!Elsewhere, there were some tough breaks. Pauline Katz suffered a nasty knee injury in the final and we wish her a speedy recovery (We dont know how bad it was as we write this). Lisa Wermiester came agonisingly close to the final and looked strong throughout, while Sol Degriek showed promise but needed a bit more punch in her lip attacks to progress. Coco Foveau also put in some solid rides and was unlucky not to advance further.RESULTS WOMEN1: Marine Hunter2: Maria Behrens3: Angela Cochran4: Lina ErpensteinWINDSURF PREDICTIONS1: Marine Hunter2: Lina Erpenstein3: Maria Andres4: Sol DegriekOn the womens side, things started strong with Marine Hunter delivering exactly what was expectedtotal dominancewe got that rightbut the rest? Pure curveball territory. Lina, tipped for second, couldnt back up her opener, while Maria Behrens flipped the narrative entirely with a breakout performance that no prediction saw coming. The benefit of hindsight is a wonderful thing and looking back now we should have been smarter with our picks! At the end of the day, predictions are funbut Hookipa or the sailors do not read them.MAUI BLESSEDHats off to Kai Katchadourian and Jace Panebianco for the excellent commentary and also the live stream crew for delivering a fantastic broadcast! Tomorrow it is the chance for the Youths and Masters to shine so we will keep an eye on the action if the conditions continue.The post SAMURAI MODE AT HOOKIPA: ROEDIGER STRIKES, HUNTER DOMINATES appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

LUCAS MELDRUM: NEW CHAPTERLUCAS MELDRUM: NEW CHAPTERLucas Meldrum has just signed up with North Windsurfing and Quatro and what better way to test out the new kit than a mast high heavy day at Gwithian!LUCAS MELDRUM: Im very excited to finally announce I will be partnering with North Sails and Quatro. Some of you would have already seen already on my socials but heres a couple of clips on the first day using my new boards and sails. Very much looking forward to sharing more about this move and the equipment in future videos. Again thanks to everyone whos been watching along the way it definitely wouldnt have been possible otherwise!What I was using: 4.7, 4.2 North Wave Gen 3www.northactionsports.com/products/wave-gen3 75L Quatro Pyramid 6 www.quatro1994.com/boards/pyramid-6/Shot in: SW England Shot by: Josef Fitz Gerald PatrickThe post LUCAS MELDRUM: NEW CHAPTER appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.

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By Liam KirkhamLiam KirkhamLessons from the riverIve spent an ill-advised amount of time, money and energy on kayaking. Its taken me all over the world, and despite never being a great kayaker, Ive racked up a fair bit of experience. Im not kayaking as much as I used to, but looking back, I realise some of my biggest life lessons have been handed out by the river though that may say more about my lack of education than anything else.Before I begin, I want to set the stage for the kind of lessons youll encounter. Id like to share some of these lessons with you in a series of ten true stories. Expect tangents, pseudo-philosophy, solid advice, and utter nonsense. Ill leave it to you to decipher which is which as we transition between stories.Lets start with an early oneAt 16, I went to college to study outdoor sports. I thought climbing might be for me, but I got frustrated that if you arent great, you dont reach the top. Discovering that I could go down the whole river, even as the worst kayaker in the group, sealed my choice.I certainly wasnt a natural. I swam. I swam a lot. On one occasion, I swam three times in ten metres.I flipped on an eddy line as I came in and swam. I emptied my Necky Switch on the banks of the Lune and carefully got back on the water. Then, trying to exit the same eddy, I flipped again and had to empty my boat in the exact same spot before gingerly getting back on the water. This time, I managed to cross the eddy line, but as soon as I was in the flow, I flipped and swam again. At least this time, I was making progress downstream.Some days were better than others. Theres a paradoxical trickery to kayaking: to be good, you have to relax but you cant relax until youre good.We spent a lot of time in the minibus driving to rivers, and I later realised I was mentally fried by the time we reached the put-in. It wasnt that I was scared, but I certainly wasnt calm, relaxed, or zen. My brow was furrowed, my stomach in knots, anxious about how I would paddle that day. There was a direct correlation between how bad I felt at the put-in and how badly I paddled.The problem began in the minibusThe better kayakers would talk about water levels, what happened last time, swims, perfect lines, magnetic rocks, and near misses. It may have helped them prepare for the day, but it had the opposite effect on me. It overloaded my brain, spiked my adrenaline, and sent me down a rabbit hole of thoughts. An hour later, when we arrived at the river, I was already psychologically spent.I cant remember whether I consciously decided to take control of the situation or whether it was a happy accident, but I started bringing a book for the journey. While our lecturers drove and the bus filled with the usual kayak chat, Id get stuck into Harry Potter.I arrived at the river in a much better frame of mindIt wasnt that I was avoiding key information. Our instructor would give us a proper brief before we got our gear on the levels, the plan, what we were aiming to learn that day. That was what I needed to hear, and when I needed to hear it.I began to realise that the head game was a huge part of kayaking. That brings me back to Harry Potter and one of my favourite quotes, Tell me one last thing, said Harry. Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harrys ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure.Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?Ive learned a lot about the head game since then, but that was my first real insight.Reflecting on those minibus trips and how the conversation, crowd, and company affected my day (or more precisely, how I let them affect my day) leads me to the first clear lesson from the river:Lesson 1: Be careful what you consume.

Words: Marc OrnsteinPhotos: Marc OrnsteinMarc OrnsteinFunctional vs interpretive FreeStyle canoeingSo, what is FreeStyle, and what is the difference between Functional FreeStyle and Interpretive FreeStyle? One of the best definitions of FreeStyle is The art and science of precision canoeing. That definition is a catchy phrase and quite accurate, but it requires more discussion.Freestyle is a canoeing discipline that emphasises the entire connection between the boat (canoe), the body (the paddler), and the blade (the paddle), maximising the effectiveness and efficiency of each element.Boat: Freestyle instruction fosters an understanding of how the hulls shape affects its movement through the water and how it can be effectively modified on the go by employing both heel (tipping the hull laterally) and pitch (tipping the hull fore or aft).This paddler is working on her right side; the quadrants are named based on that paddle position.Body refers to the connection of the paddlers body to the hull. Kneeling with ones butt against the forward edge of the seat or a kneeling thwart, with one knee in each chine (three points of contact), provides the most secure connection; however, maximising heel and pitch may require modifying or even converting the three-point connection to two points. In two-point, the paddler comes up on his knees, lifting his butt off the seat. Various knee positions are used to enhance both heel and pitch.A blade is the paddle that connects the paddler to the water. Through proficient, accurate use of the paddle, she creates and controls the canoes movement through the water.PhotosThe photos below show several of the FreeStyle manoeuvres, in their functional/practical application, and in their more dramatic interpretive performance versions.1. Functional Post Solo2. Interpretive Post Solo3. Functional Axel Solo4. Interpretive Axel Solo5. Functional Tandem Post6. Interpretive Tandem PostFreestyle canoeing consists of a series of basic manoeuvres that have been developed, along with a teaching curriculum based on them. While each manoeuvre is initially learned in the forward quadrant, a skilled practitioner of freestyle eventually learns how to apply those manoeuvres while travelling both forward and reverse, and on both the on-side and the cross side of the canoe. In other words, in all four quadrants. (Note: When paddling on the cross or off side of the canoe, the paddler maintains the same hand on paddle positions as when paddling on the on side. In other words, whichever hand was on the grip and whichever hand was on the shaft, while paddling on the side, remains so when paddling cross-side.Most freestyle techniques are developed from a functional standpoint. Various techniques/manoeuvres are used to navigate lakes and streams. On narrow, twisty streams or crenulated shores, freeStyle shines. The movements of the paddle, the paddler, and the canoe are fluid, seamless, and efficient.Outdoing each otherAs the discipline developed, humans being human, a bit of friendly competition developed as canoeists attempted to outdo each other, kind of like, You think thats cool? Watch this. More extreme versions of each manoeuvre evolved. Canoeists came up with novel ways to link one manoeuvre seamlessly to the next. Eventually, someone introduced music to the lakeshore, and people began paddling in time with it. And thus, the beginnings of Interpretive FreeStyle.A good interpretive routine is not only paddled in time with the music, but also rises and falls with its intensity. Different variants of each of the manoeuvres may also be employed. Flourishes of the hand and body may be displayed, as well as costuming, if appropriate. It should be noted that the goal is to make the canoe dance, but not for the paddler to be dancing in the boat.

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WORDS:LISA DREWEPHOTOS:LISA DREWEBioLisa is an award-winning outdoor writer, paddler and guidebook author, best known for her Paddleboarding book series published by Wild Things Publishing. She has explored hundreds of routes across Britain by paddleboard and kayak and writes regularly for outdoor and paddlesports publications.https://www.islandeering.comRead Lisas prior post on ten of the best paddling routes in London and thr South East at:https://paddlerezine.com/10-best-paddling-routes-in-the-se/Five spring city paddlesFrom a floating harbour and Londons oldest canal to industrial Midlands waterways, an Olympic stadium loop and a Scottish canal linking sea lochs to city parks, these five urban paddles reveal a different side of Britains waterways.City paddling offers a fascinating way to experience places that are usually seen only from streets and bridges. Slip quietly past converted dockyards, graffiti-lined canals, Olympic architecture and revived industrial basins where city life changes with the flow of water. Perfect for an early Spring paddle, these routes combine sheltered water with strong stories engineering feats of the Industrial Revolution, maritime heritage, ambitious regeneration projects and creative urban spaces. Along the way, youll find waterside cafs, historic pubs and plenty of easy access points, making them ideal for relaxed day trips or exploratory half-day adventures.Lets explore these routes in detail, starting with Bristol.1. Bristol Floating HarbourSee the best of Bristols harbourside at a relaxed pace, with options to explore feeder waterways. The Floating Harbour, kept at a constant level by locks and pumps since 1809, protects this stretch from tidal changes. Historic wharf buildings and engineering sites now host attractions.Launch at Baltic Wharf slipway. Paddle past Underfall Yard the old pumping station turned museum and caf and several museums and galleries along the water. Spot historic vessels like the Mayflower, Pyronaut, John King, John Cabots Matthew replica, and the centrepiece SS Great Britain at the Great Western Dockyard.To extend the trip, the Bristol Harbour Licence allows you to continue upstream on the River Avon as far as Hanham Lock.With your Bristol adventure complete, discover what awaits in London.Access restrictions: Bristol Harbour Licence required, 11.70/day from Harbour Office at Underfall Yard (0117 903 1484).Parking: SS Great Britain Car Park (charges), Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6UN. The car park is 800 metres from the launch point. Alternatively, drop off kit by the Cottage Inn, adjacent to the launch site, before parking.Launch: Baltic Wharf Slipway, Bristol BS1 6XG. Grid ST 5726 7216; Lat/long 51.4468, -2.6163.Pitstops: The Orchard Inn Huge range of local ciders and doorstep sarnies www.orchardinn.co.uk.The Grain Barge Great harbour views and craft beers https://grainbarge.com.Nova Scotia Hearty pub food and dockside seating https://novascotiabristol.com.The Cottage Post-paddle pie and pint right on the slipway (0117 9215256).Special points: Busy harbour traffic keep right and give way to larger vessels. BA and leash required; night paddling requires two paddlers and white lights. Launch only from Baltic Wharf; carry your licence. Full regulations www.bristol.gov.uk/bristol-harbour/safety/water-safety-codes-of-practice/paddle-boarding-safety-code-of-practice.Getting there: By car from the west, leave M5 J18 and take the A4 to Bristol, following brown signs to SS Great Britain. From the east, leave M4 J19, take M32 into the city and follow brown signs. By public transport, Bristol Ferry runs weekend winter services (full timetable in summer) between Bristol Temple Meads and Baltic Wharf: www.bristolferry.com/ferry.Full route map: www.islandeering.com/paddleboarding-bristol-floating-harbour2. London, Limehouse Cut and Olympic Stadium (10.5km return)A loop through East Londons waterways linking the Limehouse Cut with the Bow Back Rivers around the Olympic Stadium. Historic canals, industrial relics and Olympic landmarks combine on this distinctive urban paddle.This route begins on the Limehouse Cut Londons oldest canal before threading into the Bow Back Rivers, a network of channels revitalised for the 2012 Olympics within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.Start at Limehouse Basin, joining the Limehouse Cut. Pass Ropemakers Field on the right before going under a railway bridge and Kings Wharf Park. Continue straight, flanked by apartments, warehouses, and bridges, heading toward the A12.At the canals bend, stay left at Bow Locks, avoiding the locks and entering the River Lea Navigation under road and rail bridges. Pass Bow Free Wharf. Before Old Ford Lock, turn right under the footbridge to follow City Mill River around the London Stadium. Look for the ArcelorMittal Orbit and London Aquatics Centre, then pass City Mill Lock into the Bow Back Rivers.After St Thomas Creek footbridge, turn sharply left under the A118 to rejoin the River Lea and follow your route back via Limehouse Cut.After exploring Londons waterways, head north to the industrial heart of Birmingham.Licence: Required, included in Paddle UK membership.Starting point: Limehouse Basin, Pinnacle Way, E14 7PB (TQ 363 810; 51.51193, -0.03651).Launch: From the north side, off the concrete platform by the lock, into Regents Canal.Pitstops: Quirky caf Great atmosphere and food. The Yurt Caf. Short walk from Limehouse Basin www.rfsk.org.uk/yurt-cafe.Special points: In summer, invasive weeds can slow progress. Always wash gear thoroughly before entering other waterways to prevent the spread of invasive species.Note: There are no locks to portage.Getting there: From Limehouse DLR, exit Branch Road, turn left, and follow the arches 250m to the canal launch.Full route map: www.islandeering.com/paddleboarding-limehouse-cut-and-olympic-stadium/3. Birmingham (17km; or shorter option via rail return)Cruise between chocolate heaven and this citys industrial heart along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and BCN Old Main Line, where brick wharves and the soot-darkened warehouses of the Industrial Revolution are now splashed with colour from cafs, bars and bustling canal-side terraces.Launch at Junction House, Kings Norton and head north to Bournville and Cadburys World, looking out for the caf boat Lola often moored nearby. A further 2.5km leads to the reed fringes, anglers and university boathouses of Edgbaston before entering the 96-metre Edgbaston tunnel.Approaching The Mailbox, now BBC studios and waterside cafs, you enter a more urban stretch. Pass Love Lock Bridge and stay left onto BCN Old Main Line.Gas Street Basin marks the first gas-lit freight interchange where coal, iron and finished goods were shifted between rival companies. Cast-iron signposts to London, Worcester and Stratford still point the way amongst narrowboats that idle beside bar terraces and familiar Peaky Blinders backdrops.Regency Wharfs old coal drops lead to clear canal water before Broad Street Tunnel forming Black Sabbath Bridge and Brindley Place, named for pioneer James Brindley.Head to Old Turn Junction the canals Spaghetti Junction circle the island and return via the same route (or rail return via Five Ways Station). Once back at Junction House, detour 700 metres east on Stratford-upon-Avon Canal to the rare Guillotine Lock.Access: Licence required, included in Paddle UK membership.Parking: Norton Playing Fields Car Park, Kings Norton B30 3HB. Grid SP 05049 79157; Lat/long 52.410, -1.927.Launch: Canal-side access by Junction House (Grid ref. SP 053 793), 300 metres from car park.Pitstops: Lola the canal boat Pizza and coffee https://lolathecafeboat.co.uk. The Tap and Spile Great ales and food at Peaky Blinders-era canal-side inn near Gas Street Basin https://tapandspile.co.uk.Special points: Carry a head torch and a whistle to alert oncoming craft. Always pass on the right.Getting there: By rail Birmingham New Street to Kings Norton (London North Western Railway, www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk). By car take M42 Junction 2 north to Kings Norton Weatherspoons roundabout, then turn right after 300 metres into the car park.Map: OS Explorer 220, Birmingham.Full route map: www.islandeering.com/paddleboarding-birmingham-kings-norton4. Cardiff (6.5 km return)Large urban freshwater lake fed by the Rivers Ely and Taff, enclosed by the barrage and offering a unique paddling circuit past Cardiffs waterfront landmarks, historic buildings and a thriving wetland reserve.Leave Cardiff International White Water Centre, turn left onto the River Ely, passing Penarth Basins moorings. Round the Hamadryad Peninsula to barrage buoys, then head east across Cardiff Bay.Follow the east shore, passing the Cardiff Bay Sailing Centre. Continue to the white clapboard Norwegian Church, now an arts centre and caf. Proceed through Mermaid Quay, where the red-brick Pierhead Building stands opposite the Senedd and the Wales Millennium Centre, its copper, hull-shaped roof reflecting the bays maritime past. The Giant Wheel overlooks pontoons, pleasure boats, cafs, and restaurants.Heading south along the west side, pass the Rugby Players Statue and the entrance to the former shipbuilding yards of Mount Stuart Graving Docks.The five-star St Davids Hotel marks the approach to the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve, where reedbeds support over fifty bird species, including great crested grebe, tufted duck and Cettis warbler. Cross the Taff mouth with views to the Lower Penarth Peninsula before returning to CIWW.Access restrictions: Launch only at Cardiff International White Water Centre or Channel View Leisure Centre slipway (report to reception). Day pass 8 www.ciww.com/park-and-play-2.Launch: Launching River pontoons, Cardiff International White Water Centre (CIWW), Watkiss Way, Cardiff, CF11 0SY. Grid ref. ST 179 728; Lat/long 51.448, -3.182.Parking: Cardiff International White Water Centre (free when paying for park and play day permit).Pitstops: Ty Melin Bakery Seriously excellent bakery adjacent to the CIWWC, https://tymelinbakery.com.Special points: Exposed to wind check conditions at Penarth on Surfline. Landing only at launch sites. Avoid barrage and jet-boat exclusion zones (see Cardiff Harbour navigation map). Non-tidal, but the Ely and Taff may flow strongly after rain. Keep clear of sluices, stay to right of marked channels; watch for ferry and rowing traffic. Wear BA and leash recommended; check local notices to mariners.Getting there: Car M4 J33 onto A4232 towards Penarth; after crossing River Ely, take fourth exit at roundabout onto A4055; first left following signs to International Sports Village, the first right along Olympic Drive to CIWW Rail Transport for Wales Train from Cardiff Central to Cogan rail station, 600-metre walk to Cardiff International White Water Centre.OS Map: OS Explorer 151, Cardiff and Bridgend.Full route map: www.islandeering.com/paddle-boarding-in-cardiff-bay/5. Glasgow, Forth and Clyde Canal (various)Threading coast to coast across central Scotland, the Forth & Clyde Canal offers paddlers a sheltered corridor of flat water where shipyards, street art and kingfishers share the same reach. These two public-transport-friendly urban paddles show their range: Bowling to Westerton, with sea-loch views and Clyde heritage, and Applecross Wharf to Lambhill, where a mythical serpent, Glasgows answer to The Kelpies, and tranquil Cadder woods lead to the welcoming hub at Lambhill Stables.Bowling to Westerton (11km one way; rail return)Launch at Bowling Basin, beneath the Kilpatrick Hills, among colourful moorings, the eighteenth-century Customs House and views down the Clyde. Paddle east past Ferrydyke Bridge and under the Erskine Bridge to Dalmuir Drop Lock Europes only one. Portage via the traffic-light crossing, watching for the Beardmore sculpture marking the former naval yard that built Dreadnoughts. Continue through regenerated Clydebank, beneath shopping-centre footbridges and past the floating chippy. Follow the long straight pound to Boghouse Locks (4 portages), then under Great Western Road to Cloberhill Locks (5). Exit the canal just before the Westerton footbridge for the train return.Applecross Wharf to Lambhill Stables (10km return)Launch at Applecross Wharf pontoon (Scottish Canals HQ). Paddle west past Firhill Stadium to lively Stockingfield Junction with its 30-metre Spire and mosaic serpent, Bella the Beithir. Turn right (east) into a quieter, greener reach through Cadder woods. Slip under the A879 to Lambhill Stables (5km) a historic staging post, now caf, toilets and bike hub. Return the same way, or walk south on the A879 to Knapdale Street for bus 7/7A.Access restrictions: No licence required, but paddlers are asked to complete a free online trip registration with Scottish Canals.Parking: Bowling Basin (free), Dumbarton Rd, Bowling, Glasgow G60 5AF, Grid ref. NS 453 735; Lat/long 55.929, -4.477; Applecross Wharf, Applecross Street, Glasgow, G4 9SP; Grid ref. NS 587 671; Lat, long: 55.877, -4.259.Launch/Egress: Bowling Harbour to Westerton Station: Launch at Bowling Harbour E of sea loch, Grid ref. NS 452 735; Lat/long 55.929, -4.478. Egress at Westerton Rail Station pontoon, Grid ref. NS 539 704; Lat/long 55.904, -4.337. Applecross Wharf to Lambhill: Launch at Applecross Wharf pontoon, Grid ref. NS 586 671; Lat/long 55.877, -4.261. Egress at Lambhill Stables, Grid ref. NS 584 694; Lat/long 55.896, -4.265.Pitstops: Bowling Harbour Popular canal side caf under the railway arches, Patons www.instagram.com/patons.place. Clyde Shopping Centre Great fish and chip takeaway from boat-based restaurant McMonagles www.mcmonaglesglasgow.co.uk. Lambhill Stable Paddle-friendly and community-run caf serving great nosh www.lambhillstables.org/cafe-and-kitchen. Applecross Wharf Coffee, soups and treats in the community-run, Gathering Ground https://gatheringground.org.Special points: The Bowling to Westerton route has several easy lock portages, where a sling may be useful to lift your craft out of the water at lower water levels.Public transport: Scotrail from Glasgow Central to both Bowling and Westerton rail stations. For Applecross to Lambshill, use Firstbus 7/7A from Glasgow city centre to Bairds Brae Road (150-metre walk north to Applecross Wharf). Return from Lambhill: walk south on Balmore Road to Knapdale Street for the 7/7A back.Map: OS Explorer 342 Glasgow, Paisley, Rutherglen and Kirkintilloch.Full route map: www.islandeering.com/paddlboarding-glasgow-forth-and-clyde-canalFinal wordCities are rarely thought of as paddling destinations, yet many of Britains most interesting waterways run straight through their centres. These routes show how water has shaped the growth, industry and renewal of our cities. Paddle them, and youll see familiar skylines from a completely different perspective quieter, slower and surprisingly wild.