PADDLER 34
Words : Del Read Photos : Tom Clare Photography , Del Read & David Turnbull
One of the most common messages I get through my social media accounts is , “ Can I come kayaking with you ?” I believe that this question is not asked because people want to paddle with me specifically but more because people want to paddle with someone . I post a lot about my kayaking adventures ; therefore , people know I am out paddling , and asking if they can come with me might mean they can also get out paddling .
PADDLER 34
How to always have other
PADDLERS to paddle with
Words : Del Read Photos : Tom Clare Photography , Del Read & David Turnbull
One of the most common messages I get through my social media accounts is , “ Can I come kayaking with you ?” I believe that this question is not asked because people want to paddle with me specifically but more because people want to paddle with someone . I post a lot about my kayaking adventures ; therefore , people know I am out paddling , and asking if they can come with me might mean they can also get out paddling .
One of the barriers to going whitewater kayaking is that it requires you to have paddling friends to do it with . I paddle solo regularly but only on flat river sections or at a white water centre . I would not paddle a whitewater river solo for safety , social reasons , and shuttles .
I appreciate that people are comfortable paddling whitewater solo , which is their choice . Usually , the people doing so are more than capable of making that decision and carrying it through safely . I am not here to debate that . Instead , I am here to share some tips on making paddling friends so you always have someone to paddle with !
Firstly , I occasionally have days where I want to paddle but can ’ t find anyone to go with ! On those days , I accepted that a flat water paddle on my own was better than nothing ! But … When the rain is perfectly timed , and you know the kayaking will be good , it is handy to know how to ask people to paddle with you . Not just so that they say yes but so that once the paddle is over , they will want to paddle again with you in the future ! So here are my top tips for being the kind of person people want to paddle with .
Firstly , I occasionally have days where I want to paddle but can ’ t find anyone to go with ! On those days , I accepted that a flat water paddle on my own was