When did you realise it was a plenty for adventure and discovery ? I fell in love with SUP immediately . And it ’ s a love affair that has grown and grown over the years . Initially , because of the sense of calm and serenity it gave me , and the fact that almost everyone I have met through SUP is generous and welcoming . Over the years , I have pushed myself further and further , taking on bigger and bigger challenges such as the Great Glen in Scotland . In September 2021 , I paddled 360 km on the Danube from Passau in Germany to Bratislava in Slovakia over eight days . I still consider myself to be an ordinary paddler , though . I ’ m not the fastest or the most skilled . But I have a big dream . at the UNESCO Cultural Landscape of Cinque Terre . Lago di Como , Lago di Garda and countless other exquisite lakes in northern Italy . The fact that I love pizza , pasta and Italian wine is just a bonus !
If you could paddle anywhere , which spot would it be and why ? That ’ s probably the most challenging question of all . There are so many special places I would love to paddle , but there is never enough time or money . I would love to spend three or four months touring South America , trying to learn some Spanish whilst SUPing the 12 countries there . It would be even better to go during the UK winter and get some winter sunshine .
Turkey
How did ‘ SUP the World ’ come about ? My quest to SUP the World evolved rather than being born . My first few overseas paddles were just add-ons to existing trips . To Australia to attend a friend ’ s wedding . To Portugal to participate in a training course and on family holidays to Italy and France . Visiting a friend in Spain . Gradually the idea formed in my head that I might paddle in every country in the world . It ’ s a pretty big challenge , maybe I won ’ t even succeed , but I ’ m sure I will have fun finding out .
Which countries have you paddled ? I ’ ve paddled in 45 countries so far , which I think is pretty special , but I still have a long way to go . Albania , Australia , Austria , Belgium , Croatia , Cyprus , Czechia , Denmark , England , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Israel , Italy , Kosovo , Latvia , Lebanon , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Macedonia , Malta , Mexico , Moldova , Montenegro , Netherlands , New Caledonia , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , San Marino , Scotland , Slovakia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Syria , Transnistria , Northern Cyprus , Turkey , Ukraine , Wales .
And which was your favourite and why ? I ’ ve been fortunate to paddle in so many unique places that I find it very difficult to answer that question . But if you were to put me on the spot , I think I would plump for Italy . I ’ ve had many SUP expeditions in Italy — from exploring the canals of Venice to a trip down the Tiber through central Rome and a windswept paddle along the River Arno at Florence . A madcrazy one day trip along the Ligurian coast
I would love to spend three or four months touring South America , trying to learn some Spanish
Where do you most want to tick off that you haven ’ t been to yet ? I ’ ve been told that Afghanistan is a beautiful country populated by beautiful people . There is a lake on the outskirts of Kabul called Qargha , which looks ripe for SUP . Right now might not be the best time to visit , but I hope to go there one day .
How do you think your local stacks up against further-flung SUP destinations ? I ’ ve had a wonderful time exploring some exotic and wondrous places , but I love paddling on Southport Marine Lake , my local lake . Less than five minutes ’ walk from my home , it ’ s ideally situated and a lovely spot to paddle . I enjoy sharing the water with my many local SUP friends , and , living here , we are often blessed with some of the most exquisite sunsets imaginable . I love SUP-ing the world , but sometimes the saying is true , there ’ s no place like home .
Is it just adventure / touring SUP for you , or do other areas attract ? Adventure and touring are my favourites . I ’ m not a particularly fast paddler , but I can go all day and get up the following day and go again . I occasionally participate in SUP racing , but it ’ s more for the experience than for any expectation of a podium finish ! I recently took part in the Paris Nautic — an eleven-kilometre race through the French capital . I finished in 511th place out of 1000 paddlers , so there was no gold medal for me ! But the chance to paddle the Seine through central Paris , passing the Eiffel Tour and Notre Dame , was the opportunity of a lifetime .
Syria
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