Huge congratulations on completing paddling the Grand Union Canal !
Thank you . It was an amazing trip on what was once one of the key transport arteries in Britain . Nearly 165 miles in two weeks ! I would have completed it sooner , but my boat club wanted me to arrive on the Friday so we could all celebrate together , which was lovely .
What was the inspiration behind this decision to complete this trip ?
The Grand Union has been on my doorstep wherever I have lived , and I thought it would be lovely to get to know the whole of it . I planned to use this trip to raise awareness of the amount of litter around and in this canal . But it evolved into a very different story . I thought I would be 60 years old next year ; I am a ShePaddles Ambassador and want to do something amazing once in my life ! This journey developed into my building confidence . It became about celebrating friendships and community . It has inspired more women to paddle , including those from the Asian community .
Did you have a support team ?
I had a great support team . Four women I met initially via social media and got to know over the six months of my training . And Dan from my club . We all had this fantastic send-off from the Pirate Castle on the Regents Canal , Camden . They then took turns , and I had one person paddling with me each day . On the days when they could not join me , my husband or my daughter stepped in . A few days , I asked to be left to paddle alone because I just needed to breathe and take it all in .
Can you describe the route you took ?
After leaving the Regent Canal , Camden , we joined the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Basin and paddled through London and near Heathrow Airport . We then turned right and headed north , past Uxbridge , over the Chilton hills , under the M25 , passed Milton Keynes and up to Stoke Bruerne ( Northamptonshire ). We continued past Northampton , Watford Gap , Foxton and then to my boat club in Normanton On Soar ( Leicestershire ). The final stretch was through Leicester and finished at Trent Lock , Nottinghamshire . This is where the Old Grand Union Canal originally first started and merged with the River Trent .
How many miles did you paddle each day ?
Originally when I was planning this trip , I decided on the miles I would do each day . But in reality , we had to base it on where my accommodation was for the night and how many portages I had to do that day . So , it did vary , with the most being 16 miles and the least , eight miles . I think we had about 22 locks to portage around on the day we did eight miles .
What training did you have to do to prepare for this ?
My fitness level was admittedly not great . I am just an ordinary woman who doesn ’ t do much , and suddenly I had just six months to train ! I soon attended the gym ( almost ) daily , focusing on my core , arms and legs . I ate healthier and increased my protein . And slowly increased the total distances I could paddle from 5 miles to 12 miles .
You must have experienced so many emotions along the way .
So many but a high point was with my mum ( who lives in Leicester ). She had never seen me paddleboarding , so I arranged to stop and meet her en route . My husband went and fetched my mum and neighbours ! They were all excited . My
Taking a break after a long portage Photo : Simon Higginson
Photo : Dan @ littlewolf
2021 beginner days Photo : Gisela ( Gee ) Derrick
mum even brought these sweet treats called Penda , which we give on special occasions . It was touching and just such a lovely moment .
Shilpa would like to thank Gehan Rasaiah , Belle Yates , Deborah Vogwell , Daniel Lloyd , Niki Truebridge , Carys Owen , Richard & Hillary Whitby , Shane Morgan , Sabrina Rasaiah , Andy Oughton , Dave Morris , Mikk Bradley , Serla Dodhia , Anju & Arvind Shah , Juliet Fitz Patrick , Monika Higgins , the team at Pirate Castle and the fantastic Soar Boating Club .
“ I am a ShePaddles Ambassador and want to do something amazing once in my life ! This journey developed into my building confidence .”
s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k 58