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We’re excited to introduce Paddling Britain, an essential guide for anyone looking to explore the UK’s incredible waterways, whether you’re a paddleboarder, kayaker, or canoeist. Available exclusively through Aquaplanet (until 4th October), this book is packed with insider tips and stunning locations to suit all skill levels. We thought you’d like to get to know the author, Lizzie Carr, a bit more, so we asked her about her passion for paddling, her journey, and her dedication to protecting the environment. Dive into the interview below to hear her inspiring story and discover what makes this book a must-have for paddlers across the UK!
1. What initially drew you to the world of paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing, and how has your passion evolved over the years?
I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 26 and I took up paddleboarding to help me recover. Whilst paddleboarding helped me rebuild physically and taught me to trust my body again, I didn’t expect to feel the mental health benefits so profoundly.
Paddleboarding also gives you a deeply intimate relationship with nature. You see things from an angle others don’t. Everything is magnified. You’re no longer just observing nature, you become part of it.
But getting to see our rivers in a way others don’t, came with a cost.
The more I explored, the more horrified I was by what I was seeing. Ducklings nesting in piles of plastic. Endless bottles choking reedbeds. Shopping trollies, plastic cones, coffee cups all in these fragile, precious, places. The same places that had consistently been there for me during recovery, and healed me in a way that nothing else could.
Before then I, like most people, was living in an environmental sleepwalk. Completely disconnecting my own lifestyle choices from the reality of the situation. But paddleboarding woke me up.
In May 2016 I took on a major endurance challenge to become the first person in history to paddleboard the length of England’s connected waterway network. 400 miles from Godalming in Surrey to Kendal in Cumbria. On the route I photographed and plotted every single piece of plastic I encountered into a map so I could show the extent of the problem from the perspective of one person on a single journey - and that’s how Planet Patrol, the environmental non-profit to protect our waterways started!
2. As one of the most prominent figures in the UK's paddleboarding community, what do you believe sets Britain's waterways apart for enthusiasts compared to other regions?
I truly believe the UK is wildly underrated as an adventure destination on the water, and exploring new places by paddleboard gives an entirely unique perspective of it, and it’s a lot of fun. We have some of the most varied landscapes, rugged coastlines, meandering rivers that reveal our deep history, abundant wildlife, and, of course, unpredictable conditions to rival almost anywhere in the world!
3. The new book showcases the top 50 places for paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing in Britain. Can you give us a sneak peek into some of your favourite spots featured in the book and why they made the list?
Firstly, the Lake District. It doesn’t really need an introduction for anyone who loves adventure, and it has some of the best hiking and climbing routes in England. But it’s not called the Lake District because of its mountains! The water is one of the best ways to explore, and one of my favourite spots is Derwent Water, especially in Autumn. It’s dotted with little islands and as it's tree-lined, the rustic browns and oranges of the changing colours of the leaves from water is breathtaking, plus those big hills serve a purpose too - they are a good windbreaker for paddlers!
The final stretch of my challenge to paddleboarding the length of England is also worthy of a mention. I wasn’t expecting much from Lancaster canal, and I was blown away. A bit like the Lake District, it’s easily forgotten or overlooked in favour of other tourist hotspots locally, but there’s a long section that’s so unexplored, and completely free from boat traffic, that it almost feels like you’re paddling through the amazonian jungle. And, to top it off, there’s 41 miles of lock free cruising!
Another special spot is the Isles of Scilly. I’ve been going ever since I was young and it’s the first place I ever tried paddleboarding after radiotherapy treatment. It’s probably my favourite place in the whole UK. It’s a small cluster of islands and rocky outcrops just off the Cornish coast. You’ll find miles after miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters - think carribean vibes on sunny days! But the best part is being able to paddle between islands and get off to explore, it feels very intrepid - like you’re discovering somewhere for the first time.
And finally, I wanted to mention paddling in London. There’s a tendency to assume that paddleboarding adventures need to be in remote locations and off the beaten track, but cruising through cities is a way of escaping the concrete jungle, without leaving it. It should feel hectic, but it isn’t. You’re close enough to the hustle and bustle to observe it, but far enough away to feel a restful distance.
4. As a seasoned paddleboarder, what advice would you give to beginners looking to explore these activities for the first time?
Conditions can change quickly, and unexpectedly so being equipped with the knowledge to handle yourself in tricky situations can be potentially life saving. Find a local SUP school to learn the basics, there are hundreds around the country.
If you’re planning an adventure, these are just some of the things you should be thinking about:
- Do I know how to check tides?
- Do I know how to check winds?
- What wind speed is acceptable for my ability?
- Can I self rescue on my board?
- Am I clear on my own stamina and how far I can go before tiring?
- Have I got the right equipment?
- If I’m alone, have I told anyone where I’m going, or how long I plan to be?
If you don’t know the answer to any of these, or they haven’t crossed your mind - that should be a warning sign.
5. How do you think access to water sports activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing contributes to promoting a healthier lifestyle and mental well-being?
There’s so many reasons! The active element means you’re releasing happy hormones - dopamine and serotonin, whilst being immersed in nature and wildlife has been proven to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and lower blood pressure.
I’ve always likened paddleboarding to meditation. It’s calming, peaceful, restorative and you’re so focused on the present that everything else melts away. For me it was, and still is, a form of escapism.
6. Finally, what do you hope readers will take away from the book, and what do you envision for the future of paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing in Britain?
To explore our waterways and fall in love with them, the same way I did. And use that love to help fight to restore and protect them. paddleboarding was my vehicle, both literally and figuratively, to bring attention to plastic pollution, sewage and other environmental issues - because you protect what you love.
7. So what can you do to make a difference when you’re out and about?
Join a paddleboarding litter pick - these are completely free and run by both myself and a network of reps across the UK. We teach paddleboarding basics and in return your payment, or nature tax, is to collect litter and record it in the Planet Patrol app.
The app itself is free, and you can also record litter next time you’re out and about on your own too, so anyone can get involved. Finally, you can subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with Planet Patrol and find out more about our water quality testing programme and future campaigns.
Conclusion
We hope this Q&A has given you a deeper insight into the passion and purpose behind Paddling Britain. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or just starting out, this book offers invaluable guidance and inspiration for exploring the UK's stunning waterways by paddleboard, kayak, or canoe. Ready to discover your next adventure? Get your exclusive copy of Paddling Britain today and start planning your journey on the water!
