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Quieter waters: a paddler’ s paradise One of the first things you notice once the summer holidays end is how much calmer everything feels. The crowds vanish, car parks at launch spots suddenly have spaces, and the waterways are noticeably emptier.
In summer, I sometimes find myself weaving between swimmers, kayakers, and fellow paddleboarders. Don’ t get me wrong – I love the buzz and sense of community that comes with a packed beach. But there’ s something deeply satisfying about stepping onto your board in September or October and realising you’ ve got the place practically to yourself. That quiet changes the whole rhythm of paddling. Instead of negotiating around people, you fall into a more natural, meditative flow. Each paddle stroke feels unhurried, every glide is smooth and uninterrupted. The absence of background chatter means you start to hear the little details again: the lap of water against the board, the sound of your paddle slicing cleanly through the surface, the breeze rustling through turning leaves along the riverbank.
It’ s not just about peace, either – it’ s also about safety. With fewer boats and swimmers around, you can focus more on your own technique and exploration without distraction. For anyone new to SUP or still building confidence, autumn provides a perfect training ground.
Wildlife encounters: nature in transition Autumn is a season of change, and nowhere is that more evident than when you’ re out on the water. Paddling in September and October often feels like drifting through a wildlife documentary.
I’ ve been lucky enough to share space with swans gliding gracefully alongside me, their wings catching the soft golden light of early mornings. I’ ve seen flocks of geese gathering noisily before migrating south, a reminder of the cycles that carry on regardless of human calendars. And on quieter stretches of river, the water becomes so clear in cooler months that you can spot fish darting beneath the surface.
For me, these moments are what elevate autumn paddling beyond just exercise. They connect you to the natural world in a way that feels deeply grounding. Standing tall on your board, moving at the same pace as the wildlife around you, you become part of the scene rather than an intruder.
Wildlife sightings also bring a kind of anticipation to each paddle. Will I catch sight of kingfishers flashing electric blue along the riverbank? Will a seal pop its head up along the coast? These encounters don’ t always happen, of course, but autumn seems to offer them up more generously than other seasons.