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At 19:00, after a short safety briefing and a stern warning to avoid the swans with their young, it was time to hit the water.
Heatwave With a welcome heatwave gripping Belgium, the late-evening sun was still warm as I launched my board. We were a flotilla of about 60 paddlers, including a large group from the UK, and the vibe was relaxed and joyful. This wasn’ t a race; it was a scenic tour. Just a few hundred metres in, we paddled under the dual arches of the Dune Bridge and entered a picture-perfect neighbourhood.
Exquisite houses lined the canals, and it felt like we had paddled straight into a fairytale. As if on cue, a horse-drawn carriage appeared, completing the idyllic scene. Soon, we reached the main tourist section of the canals, which were, thankfully, devoid of boats. Thousands of tourists lined the banks, enjoying the sunset and taking pictures of our long line of paddleboarders.
We glided under a series of bridges, passing the old fish market and weaving through narrow sections of the canal where we could see right into people’ s gardens. Even in the middle of a hot summer, the canals were flanked by lush greenery.
Buzzing The Rozenhoedkaai, one of Bruges’ most famous spots, was buzzing with tourists who stopped to photograph our unique parade. Our guide pointed out the Hotel Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce, the hideout for the hitmen in the cult classic film‘ In Bruges’. Guests in the hotel were enjoying a ringside view of our paddle while sipping on delicious Belgian beer.
Paddling past De Dijver Park and Garden, the stunning Church of Our Lady came into view. I had walked through the park earlier when it was a bustling market, but now it was empty and serene. I had to pinch myself – we were truly paddling through one of the most beautiful cities in the world on a warm summer night. This is why I always tell people to get on the water; it gives you a perspective you can’ t get from land.
Our guide pointed out the old city hospital, showing us the wooden gates where patients arrived and where bodies were taken to the morgue. At Sint Janskaai, we paused, and Phil from Paddle Cabin in the UK, decided to entertain a nearby restaurant crowd by attempting a handstand on his board. He fell in on his first try, but on the second attempt, he nailed it, to the cheers of the appreciative patrons.
Late-evening light As the sun began to set, we reluctantly turned back. The late-evening light cast a magical glow on the ancient buildings. It was surreal to think that these structures were built long before paddleboards were even a concept. It was around 22:00 when we finally got back to our starting point.
During the paddle, a local tour guide suggested I check out Damme for another paddle before heading back to the UK. I drove to the charming town, parked my car next to a windmill, and slept in the back. I woke up at sunrise, grabbed a coffee and a croissant, and inflated my board.
As I paddled toward Bruges, I found myself joined by hundreds of swimmers – it was the 99th year of the annual Damme to Bruges swim. I paddled alongside the lead swimmer, and we arrived in Bruges at the same time. I pulled my board out of the water to enjoy the finish-line festivities, complete with a BBQ and refreshing beers.
After a while, I decided to paddle the 5 km back to Damme. By now, the heat was intense, so I headed to the coast, found a