PADDLER 8
Paddle Boarding Wales by Lisa Drewe https :// wildthingspublishing . com Review by Sarah Thornely ( www . supjunkie . co . uk )
PADDLER 8
REVIEWS
Paddle Boarding Wales by Lisa Drewe https :// wildthingspublishing . com Review by Sarah Thornely ( www . supjunkie . co . uk )
I feel as though Wales is my second home , so I was delighted to be asked to review Lisa Drew ’ s new book , Paddle Boarding Wales , published by Wild Things Publishing .
This is Lisa ’ s second foray into writing a SUP-specific book , her first being Paddle Boarding South West , which I reviewed last year . She is an award-winning author and is now a full-time writer and photographer . She is chair of the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation and an Ordnance Survey Outdoor Champion , so she is clearly someone who not only loves the outdoors and wildlife with a passion but also our beloved sport of SUP .
This new publication is in the same format as the previous book and has a great weight and feel to it in your hands – being a ‘ paper ’ book lover , this is so important to me . Inside , it is set out similarly , with contents and a numbered map with a corresponding information table for each route – this includes the route and description , type of water , grade and distance of paddle . It is easy to decide where and what type of paddle you want , especially if you are beginning your sup journey and can clearly differentiate between easy and more challenging paddles .
The following chapters include some great information on kit , advice for beginners , how to plan a trip , guidance for paddling with your dog , what to wear , what to take with you in your day bag and how to use the book to get the most out of it .
It also features routes by theme , so anything from historic paddles to pub trips or where to camp next to the water , comes under the heading ‘ Best For ,’ and we particularly like this .
You then have the huge choice of 108 paddles – each route is featured across two pages , with stunning photographs to inspire you to travel and paddle . For each route , there is a clear information box with all the practical advice you need , from a starting point with address , What3Words and
Lat / Lon coordinates to parking , launching type , pitstops , local SUP schools , how to get there and special points about the route . Offshore wind direction is given clearly to make sure you know when and if to go out at that location . We thought this was a simple but effective safety tip given on each route with a more detailed explanation of winds earlier in the book .
There is also a description for each route , which is short and concise but certainly contains enough information to make your paddle enjoyable . It lists interesting features along the way for all routes . Paddle the Aberporth Explorer , Cardiff River Taff , Barry Island and Three Bays , and the stunning Conwy Estuary , amongst many others .
HOW TO STAY SAFE ON THE WATER
Towards the end of the book , there is an excellent section on how to stay safe on the water , which includes safety equipment , safety procedures , and health issues , including cold water shock and jellyfish stings .
Paddling Responsibly takes you through the Paddler ’ s Code , wildlife and how to be respectful and protect it whilst enjoying it from your paddleboard and how to make your voice heard through some great organisations , including Surfers Against Sewage ( SAS ), Planet Patrol and the Charity Seaful . Sound and straightforward advice about Licence and Permits finishes the book off nicely .
If you love Wales or visit there often , this book will be invaluable for deciding where to visit and where to paddle . There are groups of routes quite close to each other , too , so if you are staying in one area , you could use this book multiple times . It is a beautiful book full of stunning photography that will inspire you not only to visit Wales but also to paddle there . Price : £ 18.99