Words:John R. DeanJohn R. DeanPhotos:Neale BrownCanoeists:John R. Dean,John R. Marshall,Margaret Perry, andNeale BrownPensioners Canoeing on the River SpeyMid-summer solstice canoeing in northern Scotland. What could go wrong? The northeast part of Scotland has few midges, a beautiful valley and mountain scenery, an iconic river, some intriguing named rapids, plenty of wildlife spotting and friendly people fishing. Plans were made, dates were confirmed, paddling and camping kit was sorted, food was bought, and the meeting point was coordinated between the team. And so, we set off from the Newcastle upon Tyne area with a rendezvous at Loch Insh in the early afternoon, allowing plenty of time for the shuttle and the start of the canoe trip along 68 miles to Spey Bay. Day oneA useful meeting and dropping-off point is Kincraig Church, Kincraig, on the shore of Loch Insh. It was a lovely starting point with an opportunity to watch, along with the twitchers, the nesting osprey chick on the nearby island while others did the shuttle. Fully loaded, we set off under the single-track road bridge downstream. This grade 1 stretch of the river provided sufficient meandering to keep you interested and alert for river debris (a necessity with the remnants of previous storms evidenced in the river). Our secluded overnight wild campsite provided ample space for tents and hammocks.Day twoAll packed, and with a check that we have left no trace, we set off towards Aviemore and past the prominent Duke of Gordon Monument, located on Torr Alvie, on the river left. The monument was erected for the 5th Duke of Gordon (1770-1836), by subscription in 1839-40, for raising of the Gordon Highlanders. A quick snack break in the grounds opposite The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore, in mizzle; the quickness of the break was due to the mizzle and the fact that the pub was not yet open. Meandering on past the Spey Valley Golf Club, you reach the bottom of the valley. The river slows down, and the fantastic scenery of mountains and valleys surrounds you. At least it would have done if the mizzle had not now turned to rain. So, our chances of seeing the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park were gone. Our overnight stay at the very small campsite (river right) at Balliefurth comes at a welcome time after the valley bottom paddle.Day threeWe awake to summer, a brilliant blue sky, warmth, and a good river flow. We are away bright and early with great excitement. Onwards past the new Cairn Distillery (river left), we soon reach the bridge over the Spey at Grantown-on-Spey. We go under the picturesque Old Spey Bridge, and its not even lunchtime!Elevenses arrives, and we take a break near Cromdale Church, a lovely picnic site. We look at the summer wildflowers and butterflies/moths as we contemplate the summer warmth. It had been sadly lacking the previous day, so the sun reflecting off the water, blue sky and peacefulness were now the new norm. We go past Advie and a lunchtime stop, to the mightily named washing machine rapid. As you approach the rapid, it is easily possible to stop in an eddy on the right-hand bank (What3words: toothpick.included.houseboat) and inspect by either standing up in your canoe or a short walk along the bank.We have done this rapid many times before saw we were confident that we knew what to do. Following a clear leadership strategy of four little ducks we safely paddled through. As we had three different canoe manufacturers, this resulted in different amounts of taking water on board, from none to some. After a brief stop for bailing, we were off under Blacksboat Bridge and the Knockando rapids. With more caution, a simple strategy of maintaining line of sight and only one canoe travelling at a time (eddy hopping) was applied to navigate our way down and enjoy the bouncy waves.As it was now only early afternoon, we decided to continue further downstream instead of camping on an island. Passing the visible Dalmunach Distillery at Carron, we safely paddled under Carron Bridge and onto Aberlour and the Victoria (suspension) Bridge. Aberlour provides an excellent place to stock up on food items if supplies run low, as it is only a short walk from river to town.Onwards past the vast-looking Macallan Estate, on river left, we are now thinking about looking for an overnight campsite. The Old Craigellachie Bridge provides a lovely backdrop for paddling in this part of the river and is an opportunity for another snack break. This part of the river has some long accessible bank-based fishing sites that can mean a lot of anglers are present. However, it wasnt too congested on this occasion. Overnight camping takes place near Rothes.After a long paddle, it is still only 4.30 pm. Tents and hammocks are up, dinner is prepared, and a welcoming campfire is struck in the firepit. There was plenty of chatter about the rapids around the fire, and all too soon, we retired for the night and our last paddle. As we pass Boat OBrig, it seems everyone is out fishing for salmon with rods. So, we use a lot of whistle (see Useful Information) and have plenty of chats with the anglers about whether we have seen any salmon jumping, where they having a good day, had anyone caught a salmon etc.Day fourWe awake to another bright, sunny morning with a breeze that we soon learned would either assist or hinder our progress. Nothing stopped our progress; it just made you knuckle down and paddle as we headed off to Spey Bay. All too soon, we pass under the Spey Bridge at Fochabers and the tidal part of the river. A friendly fisherman reminds us of the tree strainer hazard fast approaching on the sandbank high wall of a river right bend.As we had seen on the previous descent of the Spey in 2023, we took a low water level alternate that cuts off the corner. The landscape in this part of the river is always very different from the rest of the Spey; sand dunes, masses of Giant Hogweed, and gravel banks all make for a changing view. What was very noticeable, even from 2023, was a large number of significant fallen trees in the river and bankside debris that made navigation with caution mandatory.Our final stop and egress point is next to the Scottish Dolphin Centre. The river levels at this time of year (June) proved to be excellent for canoeing fully laden canoes. This, combined with some variable weather (it was Scotland!) and a group of canoe friends, made for a fantastic trip, which is never complete without a group photograph to finish.One of us is not yet a pensioner, but will be by the time you read this.Useful information:The Spey River runs through Badenoch, Strathspey, and Moray. In addition to its natural beauty, it is renowned for salmon rod fishing, whisky distilleries, and wildlife.River Spey levels: These can be obtained from a host of sources, including The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (an example for Aberlour www2.sepa.org.uk/waterlevels/default.aspx?sd=t&lc=234150)Use your whistle: When approaching anglers who can be on both riverbanks, blow your whistle in advance to gain their attention. Mutual respect and a chance for a chat are all part of the Spey experience.Camping sites: The Spey has plenty of opportunities for wild camping amongst its many islands and inlets.Scottish Outdoor Access code: www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/Paddle Scotland: River Spey Access Officer: riverspeyaccess@gmail.comFacebook site: www.facebook.com/riverspeyadvisorUseful book: River Spey Canoe Guide: A Canoeist And Kayakers Guide to Scotlands Premier Touring River (2014), Nancy Chambers, Pesda Press. www.pesdapress.com/pdfs/RiverSpeyCanoeGuide.pdf

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Practice stepping back into surf stance on the flatWords & photos: Andy BurrowsDownwinding is the purest test of a paddlers mentality and their SUP skills.Downwinding requires a complete amalgamation of all the skills, knowledge and fitness acquired in other areas of SUP. You need aerobic and anaerobic fitness, the ability to gain immediate power, great balance and agility and superb awareness of the conditions around you. You also need mental strength, courage, patience and resilience.Do it right, and the feelings of exhilaration and satisfaction are (to me) the best rush you can get on a 14ft SUP board. You can enter a flow state where 100 per cent of your body and mind is focused on the task. You are in control, but without absolute focus, you would be taking a dip in a second. The physical exertion is matched with a mental battle. Its a long way removed from paddling on a calm lake, chatting with friends, enjoying the views and thinking about where to stop off to eat your sandwiches. Its a place where you feel alive and in the moment. Its also a transient feeling that could end with a simple mistake at any moment.Sounds too dramatic? To discover these fantastic sensations, you need to find conditions that will challenge you, conditions where the heart beats faster when you arrive at the shoreline.When I am in flow on a downwinder, time seems to stop; I feel almost childlike, busy, and immersed in play. I dont want the experience to end, yet I know that the run will be a memory in a few kms.How to get into downwindingEveryone has enjoyed paddling with the wind on their back. It might be tempting to believe that is all there is to downwinding. But nothing could be further from the truth.The first thing anyone looking to get better at downwinding should do (if possible) is find a mentor. Someone better and more skilled than they are, who will go out with them on some windy days. There is a saying thatyou dont know what you dont know. I have been lucky to train with one of the best paddlers in Spain over the last few years. On the flat, I can stay in his draft. On a downwind, I might average 10km/hr and still end up kilometres behind him. If he was not with me, I might delude myself into believing I knew what I was doing. But watching how he dances on the board, plots his route, selects the waves to catch and remains in total control informs me of how much I still have to learn.Paddling downwind with someone else is not only safer but also more enjoyable. There is a feeling of camaraderie when you are taking on a challenge together. It gives you additional confidence and helps instil a feeling of playfulness into the whole process.If you cannot find anyone to paddle with, developing your skills alone is still perfectly feasible. But this should be done incrementally to prevent placing yourself in conditions that exceed your skill level.What to practiceMoving around the boardYou need to move around the board to keep the board on the water and not in the water. This requires the ability to shift your feet into different locations on the board quickly and smoothly. Practising step back turns is an excellent way to tune into how the board changes how it sits on the water with shifts of your positioning.Power strokeYou need to match the speed of a wave to catch it. If there are only wind waves, then short, frequent strokes will help you take advantage of these. If a swell and faster waves are coming from behind, these must be caught using a more powerful stroke at the point where the nose drops and the board sits on the front face of the wave. You need to engage the feet to inject pace into the board. Once on the wave, keep the nose trimmed and relax. Let the wave take you. Dont stiffen up or panic because your board is suddenly moving faster than ever!Both these paddle strokes should be practised on the flat, preferably using drills that build awareness and muscle memory.Surf stance and offset stanceYou need to adopt different stances when downwinding. You can practice this on the flat. This helps to tune you into the board dynamics and makes you more confident when paddling in these positions. As already noted, when you catch the swell, you must ensure the nose does not pitch into the water. (If the nose pitches, it slows the board down, and the wave will slide under you). To do this, you need to move back on the board. How far and quickly to go depends on the height of the wave and its speed. Step back too far, and you will slow the board and lose the wave. Dont step back enough; the nose will bury itself in the water, and you will stall, or worse, get catapulted over the front! Quite often, subtle adjustments need to be made to keep the nose moving quickly over the water ahead.Paddling into the windIf you paddle out to come back, you may be paddling against a 25 to 30-knot wind. This requires its own set of skills and a level of dedication. Maintaining momentum is critical, so the stroke needs a fast recovery and a lower bottom hand to maximise leverage and get the whole body lower to wind.Where to practiceYou can practice downwind skills anywhereIf you dont have a partner, or the logistics prevent a one-way run, there are still options to gain a downwinding experience.Onshore wind. Paddle out into the wind for one or 2kms, then turn and head back to shore, practising the skills. This can be great fun.Plot a route that incorporates an element of downwinding into it. I always try to do this when I go out. Ill check the Windy app, note the direction and strength of the wind and how the swell is predicted to behave and plan a route accordingly.The sea is the classic place to experience true downwinding (in my opinion), but it is not the easiest. Rivers and lakes offer exciting and easier opportunities to gain downwinding experience. When I paddle in Scotland, I will study Windy, and if the wind is above 15 knots, I will see if I can find a loch that will give me the best downwind run. For example, Loch Tummel runs 11km from east to west. The wind direction is predominantly from the west, so this loch often gets fantastic wind funnels running straight down it. If you want to, you can stand on your board at one end and find yourself at the other in less than two hours. If you bother to paddle and catch the lovely even waves on offer, you can do it in just over an hour.Things to watch out forWhen you paddle on the sea, things are never straightforward. There are many variables at work. The swell may be coming from a different direction to the wind. There may be at least two swell directions. There may be geological features such as high cliffs which create rebounds to contend with. So, these factors all affect the downwind. As you progress, you will get more and more tuned in to how to handle them.Always use your senses as well as the information from any weather app. Apps can often be wrong, so keep a degree of flexibility in your approach to the paddle.Always wear layers of clothing appropriate to the conditions. Also, wear a PFD and take a communication device. It is more likely you will fall in, and in more extreme situations, it is not unknown whether leashes will snap or Velcro belts will work free.Skills that improve over timeThe more you experience downwind, the more overall awareness you gain. Your timing will improve, leading to more satisfying runs. Your confidence will increase, leading to a more relaxed state. Another area that improves is a greater ability to read the sea. Ultimately, you will become a much more accomplished all-round paddler.A word about downwind boardsThe quality of SUP equipment available to the average SUP enthusiast is incredible. Boards have become more and more specialised, lighter and narrower. Flat water boards are the fastest boards (which makes them so popular), but on the sea, only the top paddlers can get the best out of them. All water boards are more forgiving and are a great single choice for all-round use. However, downwind boards add a new dimension when downwinding, especially in more challenging conditions. I started using a SIC Bayonet recently and am so impressed with its ability in certain conditions.I used a SIC Atlantis in the past, but I knew my skills needed to be improved to use it beyond a certain point. However, using a Bayonet, there is an unbelievable difference in performance (comparing the same person to the same conditions). The additional rocker and the upturned sharp nose make the board surge forward with every wave or swell. The narrow tail stops the waves from the back, pushing the rider offline. The small, narrow fin coupled with a very interesting hull makes the board more neutral in cross-chop. In short, if you want to get into downwind, invest in a downwind board.Downwind racingThere are some world-renowned downwind races. Watch the Molokai on YouTube to see how the masters handle the open ocean. The fitness and skill required to complete this race is beyond 99.9 per cent of paddlers. But there are few downwinding races that mere mortals can enter.My favourite occurs at the World SUP Festival, Santa Pola near Alicante. Unlike races on the flat, this race starts in one location and finishes at another. Downwind racing is entirely different to flat water. In flat water, you can always find someone to draft. You can always see whats going on around you. A race strategy is apparent to you throughout the race. But in a downwind race, you cant draft.The field is spread over a wide sea area within a kilometre of the start. Its tempting to try catching every wave and go hell for leather. But if you do this, youll join 40 per cent of the field who have done the same and burn themselves out with 4 km to go. You cant watch the people around you because frustration can quickly take over, especially if they seem to be progressing better than you. No, you have to focus on your race, focus on the sea and catch the best waves minute by minute. Its a massive mental challenge. These races remain with you as defining experiences of your SUP mentality.Final wordsDownwinding demands the entire skill set from the paddler. You find yourself in flow when you challenge yourself to the extreme of your capabilities. You feel alive; you get a rush. You also grow in confidence and make step changes in your SUP ability.Downwinding is a fascinating part of SUP. Its a great experience to share with fellow paddlers and will leave you with lasting memories of achievement. It may take years to master, but improving over time is richly rewarding.In short, I love it!Andy Burrows is the author of the book Improving your Stand Up Paddling. He spends most of his time living in Spain, where he paddles with some of the best in the world.https://fernhurstbooks.com/books/permalink/172/improving_your_stand_up_paddleboarding

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WILD AND WINDY REUNION ISLANDWILD AND WINDY REUNION ISLANDCheck out this wild and windy session in Reunion Island featuring Antoine Martin and Miguel Chapuis amongst others ripping it up!The post WILD AND WINDY REUNION ISLAND appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

HTTPS://PADDLEUK.ORG.UKWelcome to another Paddle UK feature in this awesome Summer issue of Paddler Magazine. We hope youve enjoyed exploring your local waterways, which, thanks to the Big Paddle Cleanup, look much cleaner!In this feature, youll find information on how to watch our British paddlesport athletes heading out to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and plenty of #PaddleSafe advice, including our five top tips for paddling safely and courses to help you level up your paddling.You can also check out some of the latest news from Paddle UK below. Be sure to head over to our website https://paddleuk.org.uk, to keep up to date.Recruitment is open for a new Paddle UK ChairApplications are now open for the position of Paddle UK Chair as Professor John Coyne CBE nears the end of his second term of office.People are at the heart of Paddle UK, an organisation with a vision to inspire people to pursue a passion for paddling for health, enjoyment, friendship, challenge and achievement.We are now looking to identify an individual capable of leading the organisation through the next exciting phase of its history. Info: https://paddleuk.org.uk/recruitment-opens-for-new-paddle-uk-chair.New GovernmentWhat next for water quality and access?Check out our latest article on water quality and access on the Paddle UK website. Ben Seal, Head of Access and Environment at Paddle UK, talks about what might lie ahead for paddlers in the next five years following the General Election.He says, We now have hundreds of new, energised MPs to meet and enthuse about blue spaces. After six years of campaigning on Clear Access, Clear Waters, finding politicians who would actively champion our cause became an uphill battle. If a paddling community wants change cleaner rivers and greater access we must get on the front foot now. Info: https://paddleuk.org.uk/new-government-what-next-for-water-quality-and-access.What next for water quality and access?Record number of volunteers take part in Big Paddle Cleanup 2024It has been another brilliant year for the Big Paddle Cleanup, with a record number of people taking part! The Big Paddle Cleanup, which ran from 25 May to 9 June, engaged an incredible 3,699 volunteers.Paddlers filled 1,888 sacks with rubbish and removed much larger items, such as crash barriers, fridges, chairs, shopping trolleys, toilets, and fire extinguishers, from the water.Within those sacks, 7,809 plastic bottles, 2,374 glass bottles, 4,735 cans, 10,613 plastic food wrappers, and a whole host of unusual items were recorded as being removed from waterways. Info: https://paddleuk.org.uk/big-paddle-clean-up-record-volunteer-numbers.Record number of volunteers take part in Big Paddle Cleanup 2024Kayaker makes London Locks world record attemptOlympians Sebastian Cuattrin and Sebastian Szubski have provisionally smashed the world record for paddling the 198.5-kilometre stretch of the River Thames from Lechlade, Gloucestershire, to London.The pair covered the route from St Johns Lock to Teddington Lock in 21 hours and 57 minutes, provisionally beating the previous record by more than two hours. They paddled through 22 locks and ran and carried for the other 22. Info:https://paddleuk.org.uk/kayakers-make-london-locks-world-record-attempt.Kayaker makes London Locks world record attempt

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This quick tip will help you get on a more tippy board and give you more control before you stand up. Sign into SUPboarder Pro to watch full videoThe post A quick tip to help you get on smaller SUPs appeared first on SUPboarder Magazine.