RHODRI ANDREWS

Wanderlust assistant editor Rhodri recalls his first paddleboarding adventure…

Why did you try a paddleboarding trip?

I love to try out new things on my travels and while I’ve done kayaking and canoeing in the past, I’ve never done paddleboarding. I thought a leafy river stretch in Bedfordshire would be a great place to embark on a watery microadventure.

How easy was it to pick up?

It was surprisingly simple. I was tentative at first, but I drew confidence from seeing the rest of the group take to it like ducks to water (if you’ll excuse the pun). Transitioning from kneeling down and getting used to manoeuvring about to standing up and gently making my way downriver only took a matter of minutes.

Did you have any guidance at all before you started?

We had a short demo from our guide, Richard, who covered paddling techniques, the different types of board (apparently bigger and thicker is better) and the various dos and don’ts when you’re out on the water.

How did you find it?

I loved it. There is a genuine sense of freedom you get when paddling along a river that you don’t get elsewhere. I was worried that I would spend the whole evening thinking too much about falling off or keeping myself steady. I was by no means perfect, but I felt comfortable enough to take in my surroundings and chat to my fellow paddleboarding newbies along the way. With Richard and his guiding team alongside us, we weren’t far from extra help if we needed it.

Any other advice?

Patience is key. Wait until you’re comfortable enough on the board before standing up or trying to paddle faster. If you’re too eager, you’ll fall off and it will take you longer to get to grips with it. Spending quality time enjoying a new skill is invaluable.