PADDLER 40
PADDLER 40
KAYAKING THE GREAT GLEN CANOE TRAIL!
I love a challenge, and in August, I completed a charity challenge kayaking the Great Glen Canoe Trail to raise money for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. This journey from Fort William to Inverness involves paddling 60 miles of canals and lochs, including the famous Loch Ness. I paddled this challenge solo, although my lovely Tom supported me by picking me up and dropping me off each day. We followed the challenge with a few days of walking adventures together in Scotland.
It was a real adventure and having done very little open-water kayaking before; it was a good experience! I became an expert at portaging a laden sea kayak around locks and no better at estimating the time it would take me to cross open stretches of water. If you want to read more about this adventure, you can do so here.
EVENTS, EVENTS AND MORE EVENTS!
If lockdown Del could see how many events she would attend and organise in 2024, she would be jumping for joy! In 2020 and 2021, it felt like we would never be able to return to normal life again, but four years later, my kayaking social life is thriving. I love events and encourage paddlers who aren’ t regularly attending events to do so if they can because they are brilliant. They are a way to connect with others in the community, enjoy time on the water, and get involved in fun competitions. Over the last couple of years, it’ s also been a way to give back to the community.
I won’ t go into details of each event here, but you can read about most of them in the various blogs I’ ve written. Dee Fest, Tryweryn Fest, European Open, She
Helping out at the Youth Freestyle Series 2024. Photo: Tom Clare
Paddles weekends at Plas y Brenin and the Tryweryn, the Youth Freestyle League events, the summer GB freestyle academy camp, and the Park Jam series! It’ s been a pleasure to attend events run by others and be a part of the organising team for others. What a year it has been!
LAST WORDS
So, 2024 was memorable year full of highs and lows. Whatever your personal experiences of 2024, I wish you all the best and to see you on the water in 2025!
Ending Loch Ness! Photo: Tom Clare
Start of the Great Glen Canoe Trail! Photo: Tom Clare