Surrounding all of us are a myriad of green and blue
spaces including cycle routes, footpaths, rivers, lakes
and canals. Top tip is to purchase a paper Ordnance
Survey Explorer map and explore your local area (it’s
so much more revealing than digital to find local sites
to explore and also to make notes). This mini project
will definitely feed the soul and connect you to your
local wildlife. Don’t forget that we need to log and
submit ancient footpaths and rights of way by 2026.
(see Ramblers Don’t Lose Your Way).
The Song of the Paddle concept was promoted
through the work of the late Bill Mason, canoeist,
guide and environmentalist. His lifetime of exploring
led to a mastery of the art of paddling. I love the
feeling of knifing the paddle back to the start of the
stroke, ‘making the catch’. You can tune into the song
of the blade doing its work. The paddle slicing
elegantly through the water equally transfers nicely to
‘feeling grounded’. It connects us to our happy place
and we can exist in the moment.
There are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in
nature to restore energy, boost your well-being and
promote good mental health. Here are a few of my
favourite ways to recharge my batteries…
OUTDOOR AND COLD WATER
SWIMMING
Outdoor swimming is one of the best trends to re-
emerge after we lost so many lidos and outdoor
pools. The resurgence has been astonishing as people
have enjoyed taking a dip in the sea, lakes, and local
rivers. Cold water swimming leaves you with a
positive tingle and glow as you send your blood
pumping around generating that feeling of ‘I’m alive’.
Of course as paddlers we can access secluded pools
and beach spots. There is an odd juxtaposition as
paddlers in that we try to stay in the craft rather than
embracing the water and swimming at regular
opportunities. I now make this part of my plans to
swim in secluded pools, tarns and river locations.
well-being
There are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in
nature to restore energy, boost your
and promote good mental health
wrong kit, dark, bad weather and other such mind
bending agendas diminish your outdoor time and
happiness. Keep a SUP in the boot, phone a friend,
and make time to paddle, One of the reasons I love
the DW (Devizes to Westminster Race) is that it
requires training throughout the winter what ever the
weather and conditions.
GO BARE FEET
Getting my toes onto cool grass, warm sand or
wading in the sea or a river is a small slice of paradise.
I believe it must link to the same synapses and energy
lines that reflexology unlocks. Go for it, whilst waiting
for a shuttle or at a lunch stop or rest, whip off your
socks and flex your toes in the water.
SIT SPOTS
Sit spots have been highlighted in the world of
bushcraft over many years as a great way to let nature
come to you. For me there is an acceptance that I am
shut off from other distractions. I believe there is a
trade-off where you tune in with your senses and in
return are accepted by the wildlife and nature at large.
GO PADDLING BY KAYAK,
CANOE OR SUP
Find your song of the paddle by getting out onto a
river, lake or canal. Avoid deadlines and mobile phone
calls to enjoy the gentle ripples, splashes and
reflections that make this pastime so invigorating.
Beware of inertia preventing you from paddling,
ThePADDLER 97