SUP 11 City Tour - Netherlands

My challenge to myself in 2016 was the SUP 11 City Tour. A 220km, 5 day stand up paddle board event around the canals of Friesland in the Netherlands.

Having cycled on my own from Ireland, across Europe, to Istanbul in 2014 and walking from France, across Spain and into Portugal in 2015, I wanted a water based challenge this time. I knew I had the endurance and the mental strength for this type of event....but did I have the skills?!

When the entries opened for the 2016 event I immediately signed up. At this point I didn't own a board and had never actually been on one!

After a bit of research on the internet, I purchased a Red Paddle Co 12' 6 Sport online. Watched a couple of 'How to SUP' videos on YouTube. Then in May 2016 I took myself and my board to a local lake to give it a go.

Up and standing in 5 minutes and paddling around, it was a great feeling. I have done some kayaking before, but that first moment I stood up on the board it was amazing. It felt weird to be so high up off the water, compared to sitting in a boat on the surface. The previously unnoticeable breeze felt a lot stronger when standing on the board too and the new perspective was also different.

Fast forward to September 2016. Arriving in Leeuwarden the day before the start, I totally felt like a fish out of water. All these tanned, super fit, men and women, with their fancy race boards were getting their stuff sorted.

I felt like I'd just learnt how to ride a bicycle and turned up to the start of the Tour de France, with my supermarket bike!! I was totally out of place!!

Accommodation on the traditional sail boats was great. The boats followed the route we paddled each day and were at the finish when we got there. Perfect. The communal area was big, but the cabins were small. This didn't matter however as you were only in them to go to sleep!

So, day one arrived. The weather was hot and sunny, not what I'm used to coming from Ireland. Knowing I'd be spending the whole day exerting myself, I'd gladly have had 10 degrees and rain, over melting in the scorching sun.

After breakfast and the skippers meeting, where we were told about the days route and dos and donts, it was time to go. This was it. ARRGGHHH.

Out on the canal at the start line I was seriously considering my choices in life! Having only paddled a grand total of 167km since I first stood on a board in May, all on flat calm water, with no other boat traffic, wakes or waves, I was concentrating hard on not falling off in front of everyone.

Once the starters gun went and everyone started paddling I couldn't help but think how ridiculous this was. I had never even paddled with anyone else before, let alone in an event. I didn't even know what speed I was meant to paddle at. When everyone started disappearing off ahead of me, I knew I was going to be way off the back of the group. My only thought was not to get lost.

We all had trackers that showed our live positions and it was good knowing that friends and family back home could follow my progress through the day. It also helped me to keep plodding/paddling on.

The racers who started after us in several groups began to overtake me. It was amazing seeing how fast and smooth they paddled. I watched how they were paddling and tried to copy their technique in the hope it would make me go faster. It didn't.

I was the last person to arrive at the lunch stop. The crew were actually packing everything up when I pulled in. Very demoralising and it also made me feel a bit mad at myself about how slow I was. The guys were all really friendly and supportive though and had my lunch set aside for me. I knew at this stage I hadn't been drinking or eating enough and with the hot weather I was fading big time.

I got back on the water and made it to the stamp point/ring the bell at Ijlst. I made the really tough decision to stop here. There was another 10km or so to go across an open lake and I was so drained and so far behind, I didn't want to put the organisers out by waiting on me. I'm not a quitter and it was really tough sitting in the car being driven to the finish.

I didn't start day 2. I thought there wasn't much point as I was so slow, that the organisers probably would rather I didn't continue. I was gutted. I knew I could do the distances each day, but I also knew I was just too slow.

Standing on the bank in Sloten, watching the groups all start day 2, I was feeling a bit sad. Aukje Postma, one of the organisers, happened to be standing beside me and questioned why I wasn't on my board and away. After telling her I thought I was too slow, she told me that isn't what the event was about. It was an event for everyone and I was to get on my board and be at the start line tomorrow!

It was really great of her to give me a pep talk and I really appreciated it. To know that even though I wasn't a racer, this event was also for people like me, who just wanted the challenge for themselves and the challenge to get to the finish line each day.

I spent the day on our sailing ship traveling to the next town, Workum, where the day 2 finish was. Sailing on a huge boat through the lakes, canals and locks was an amazing experience in itself.

Day 3 and I was back on the start line. Weather was hot and sunny again and I told myself to remember to eat and drink continually throughout the day this time.

When we started I focused on trying to keep the last few people of my group in sight. That was the only thing I was thinking. Paddle paddle paddle.

The racers started over taking and I always made sure to pull over out of their way, slightly jealous about how fast they were going and how easy they made it look, even though I know they were probably suffering too. I made it to lunch and I wasn't the last one there this time. Yey!

The last section after lunch to the finish was tough as I was on my own for most of it. The last few racers had passed me and I then had the safety boat escorting me to the finish line. I felt so happy to have finally completed a full day.

Day 4 was more of the same. Try and keep one or two people within sight ahead of me and try to get to lunch without being the last person. My board had no glide, so anytime I stopped to eat or drink, I stopped. It was a bit frustrating, but I kept my focus and just tried to keep paddling at a continuous steady rate.

I was also starting to feel a lot more comfortable being on the sometimes choppy water and negotiating the wake from passing boats. Being on a shipping canal was a little daunting, but another competitor had caught up with me a we paddled together along this stretch, which was great to actually have some company for a while, as the rest of the time I was always paddling on my own.

The last day was here. A slightly shorter day, but more people on the start line. It was brilliant for the first 10km. There were so many people paddling around me and then the racers started to catch us and overtake through the narrow canals with the accommodation ships sailing in the middle of us. Very exciting! Quick stop at lunch then on to the finish back at Leeuwarden. I also wasn't last to cross the finish line today, woohoo, result!!

What a crazy week. Looking back there are so many great memories. The scenery, beautiful towns, open countryside and windmills. The accommodation on board the sail ships was a unique experience. The amazing crew and organisers who all did a great job from feeding us, looking after us out on the water, giving us encouragement, setting up and moving the race village and the lunch stop each day. It was a perfectly organised event. The friendships made from the girls I shared a cabin with, to fellow competitors and the friendly locals along the way. Overall it was a special, one of a kind event, which I feel honoured to have been part of.

So, if you're reading this and wondering if you should sign up for the 2017 event - YES, do it and I'll see you on the start line, as I have the coveted 11 Cities cross medal to paddle for this year!

http://sup11citytour.com/registration/enter-now/

Sunny SUP on the Royal Canal, Ireland

Day 4 - 2nd June 2016

Another good nights sleep and another sunny morning.

The lovely owners of the post office kindly opened the bar for me to use the bathroom and when I came out had made me up a breakfast tray. Another al fresco breakfast and after a chat I packed up my gear and got going.

Just a short day today, up to Nanny Quinns for lunch and where I was meeting my lift home. This section of the canal was my favorite. Not a soul around, amazing views across the countryside, birds singing, clear water with tons of fish beneath me, pretty lilie flowers and reeds. It was so nice. Passed some cows have a morning spa, then pulled up at Lock 18. The steps on the right side of the lock are fenced off, so to portage the lock, you have to come out at the slipway behind the restaurant, then walk up to the road and across the bridge.

Had a very tasty lunch at Nanny Quinns, which was packed out. Must be a popular spot, no surprise as the food is delicious.

So here was the end to a fantastic few days paddling the Royal Canal, definitely a hidden gem in the centre of Ireland. I will be back to finish the Royal Canal to the Shannon hopefully this year - I'd be very very lucky to get the same weather again though!!

DAY 1 HERE 
DAY 2 HERE
DAY 3 HERE

Sunny SUP on the Royal Canal, Ireland

Day 3 - 1st June 2016

After a good nights sleep, I got up ready for another day on the water, in more sunshine - is this really Ireland?!

As I was taking the tent down and packing up, one of the residents for the houses across the railway lines arrived. We had a chat and he was telling me about the history of the area and how there was a song made about this spot and about the time when a famous artist painted from the canal side.

Time was ticking on though and as I had drunk the last of my water last night, I was keen to get going to get some supplies in Enfield. It was a lovely peaceful paddle to town.

As I was approaching Enfield the canal got narrower and the banks steeper and tree lined. I could hear the traffic as I came near the town and was getting a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to get up to the road from the canal. However, just after going under the road bridge,the most perfect pull in stop appeared on my right. Just directly after the bridge was a small mowed grassy area, with a path and steps up to the road. Perfect. Pulled the board out of the water and went up to the road, across the bridge to the shop at the petrol station on the other side.

Bottle of water, coffee, sandwich and a few snacks and then back to eat my breakfast in the sunny spot where I had left my boat.

On my way after refueling, and passed Enfield harbour, which looked a great place to access the canal and I think there was a toilet block there too.

It was getting hot again and after a few trees there was no shade for a long stretch. Crossed over a small aqueduct and then a bit further on stopped, tied up the board and went into Fureys bar for some refreshments.

Back on the water and a nice long stretch of canal through the country. The canal crosses the Boyne river by another aqueduct. There are some nice old stone bridges the canal goes under and this part of the canal is very quiet, hardly anyone on the towpaths, it goes through the countryside and is beautiful and peaceful!

When I arrived at the Hill of Down I decided this was were I was going to stop for the day. It had a pub, so obvious choice really! Went in and asked if I could pitch my tent in their beer garden. Ordered a nice cold pint and went and sat outside watching the sunset while waiting for my packet of expedition food to 'cook'!

DAY 1 HERE
DAY 2 HERE
DAY 4 HERE

Sunny SUP on the Royal Canal, Ireland

Day 2 - 31st May 2016

Woke early the next day with the sun coming up in the small hours of the morning and the birdies singing from 5am. Lay on for a while, then got up at a more reasonable hour, had breakfast, packed up the tent and dragged everything back up to the canal for launching into day two!

Back on the water and it was going to be another glorious day. Blue sky, sunshine and warm. Ahhh so nice just cruising on the water with the sound of birds and the water dripping off my paddle.

The canal skirts around Leixlip and the train line runs along side the water. Probably a novel sight for the commuters making their way into work. First lock I came to was Lock 13. Tied up the board and walked up and over the bridge to the other side to see it there was a good place to put in. Had to haul my big kit bag off the board and carry it to the other side, then come back for the board. This was going to be hot work in this weather portaging around each lock.

Coming into Maynooth the sun was starting to get hot. There were a few people walking and jogging along the towpath and everyone wanted to have a chat. That's the great thing about Ireland, people still talk to strangers like they're friends. This was the main reason for my slow progress on this trip. Too much chatting, not enough paddling, but sure, it's all about the craic!!

Now, just the other side of Maynooth, little brown floating clusters started to become frequent in the water. I had a mini freak out thinking it was floaty-poos and was trying not to let the water off my paddle drip on my board, or me, every time I changed sides. Arrghh, blurghh!!!

At the next lock, hauled my kit and board out and over the bridge to the other side. Here there were a couple of the Waterways Ireland guys doing some weed clearing. I stopped to chat with them and asked them about the floaters in Maynooth and they assured me it was just the weed that had been churned up from them clearing the canal in their weed boat. Relief!! They said the only place that there is sometimes a problem with water quality is Kilcock and usually only in the winter time.

Paddling on to Kilcock, I was starting to boil. The factor 30 was reapplied several times. At Kilcock it was lunchtime, Everyone was out sitting on the grassy banks, fishing and sitting outside the pubs and cafes. I tied the board up at the long boardwalk at the train station side of the canal and headed over the bridge to Thomas O'Keeffes pub for lunch, I sat outside to keep an eye on my board over the other side of the canal and enjoyed the summer vibes and my refreshments!!

Back to it and asked a couple of young lads walking down the street to help me carry my stuff over the bridge to the other side of the lock. It is a bit of an awkward lock to cross, as you have to bring your stuff up from the canal, across the busy road, over the bridge and up a bit on the other side before putting in again. There was also a huge amount of weed collected at the back of the top lock gate.

Anyway, sorted out my kit, back on the water and on my way. The rest of the day I paddled on through the countryside. At Ferrans Lock I spoke to a girl who was out walking her dogs. I asked where she reckoned the best place to camp would be. She said her family owned the land on one side of the canal on down a bit and I'd be welcome to pitch my tent anywhere there if I wanted to.

Evening drawing in and I couldn't really find a suitable place to pull in. Either it was far too overgrown, or the nice grassy bit I thought would be suitable turned out to have a bull grazing on it!

Looking at my map on my phone, I saw there should be a suitable bit of ground at the corner of the canal, where the Old Bog Road ends. It also seemed far enough away from both Kilcock and Enfield, that there would be less chance of people being about. Turned out it was the perfect place. Signs of a few previous campfires, so it must be a place people have camped at before.

Got off the water, pitched my tent and got my dinner on just in time to watch the beautiful pink sunset across the sky.

DAY 1 HERE
DAY 3 HERE

Sunny SUP on the Royal Canal, Ireland

Day 1 - 30th May 2016

Back in May, when Ireland was under cloudless blue skies and enjoying a bit of a heat wave, I decided to take off for a short adventure on my paddle board.

After checking out the Waterways Ireland website, which is a great source of information, I decided on a couple of days paddle/camping trip along the Royal Canal.

The Royal Canal is approximately 145km and was built for freight and passenger transportation from the River Liffey in Dublin, west across the country to the River Shannon. Work on the canal started in 1790 and lasted 27 years, when it eventually reached the Shannon in 1817.

So, I packed my gear up and drove down to Dublin. Starting point was the 12th lock at Blanchardstown, as I didn't fancy making my way through the city, either by car or SUP.

The restaurant that is at the 12th lock was closed down, but no worries, I had someone to take my car, as I didn't want to leave it parked there while I was away. This turned out to be a good idea, as there was a group of men, already merry from the contents of their blue bags, that seemed to reside in the area!

Pumped up the board, loaded it up with kit and onto the water. Relief it floats! This was the first proper stand up paddling I would have done. I'd only done a couple of laps of a local calm lake to 'find my feet' beforehand (after first watching a couple of how-to YouTube videos!!).

  

Off I paddled, down the canal in the warm evening sun. Starting in the evening, I'd only have a couple of hours paddling before setting up my tent for the night.

Plenty of people were out walking and jogging along the towpath, a few were very inquisitive as to what I was doing and where I was going!

After a short paddle away from the lock, the canal goes into what is called the deep sinking. This is where the canal narrows and cuts through the rock running a lot lower than the towpath above it.

Unfortunately, there was a family of swans in front of me and I couldn't get round them before the deep sinking as they kept swimming forward. Swans look massive when you're on the water level with them. They're also quite intimidating when splaying their wings and hissing at you!

I dropped back and gave them some space, they had no way to get off the canal, as the sides were 30 foot walled banks. Every so often I stopped for a bit, as the wee baby signets were paddling like mad and I didn't want them to get too exhausted! Once the canal opened out a bit, it was wide enough for them all to go to one side and feel safe enough to stop and I was able to then get past them and on my way.

The sun was starting to go down and it was a lovely hour paddling in the dusk, before arriving at the Royal Canal amenity site. There were a few fishermen on the bank and a couple of dog walkers on the path as I came in to the jetty to get off my board. I put up my tent in the small grassy area behind the shed, had some food then got into my sleeping bag.

Only several kms from where I started, but it was good to get the feel for the board with the weight of my kit on it and practice my paddling techniques!

DAY 2 HERE