Today was one for the books — the Doggy Paddle, an 18-mile stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) journey down the River Avon, all in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Table Of Content
The route was stunning: starting from Edmonscote Athletic Track in Leamington Spa, winding through the heart of Warwick Castle, the peaceful waters of Barford, the stretch past Hampton Lucy Weir, through the grounds of Charlecote Park, and finally finishing at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, directly across from the iconic Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Despite its flatwater description, the river had a few surprises in store. Shallow sections caught my fin more than once, and I’ll admit — I fell in twice! Not my most graceful moments, but that’s all part of the fun, right?
⏱ My Stats:
Distance: 18 miles (29km)
Finish Time: 4 hours 33 minutes
Moving Time: 4 hours 17 minutes
Unplanned Swims: 2
Portages: Too many to count, but each one earned!
The weir portages definitely added some extra time and effort — scrambling out with the board, carrying it round, and hopping back in each time does wear on the shoulders a bit. But there’s a sense of camaraderie at every point — paddlers helping each other out, sharing snacks, and cheering each other on.
Why I Did It
This wasn’t just a long paddle — it was a chance to raise awareness and funds for an incredible cause. Guide Dogs UK do life-changing work supporting people with visual impairments, and taking part in this event was a small way to give back while doing something I love.
SUPBIKERUN Prep
With just a week to go until SUPBIKERUN — my multi-sport challenge of 6km paddle, 42km bike, and 10km run — this was definitely a longer-than-expected paddle warm-up! But it’s boosted my confidence that I can handle a decent distance on the board, even with a few dips in the drink.
🔗 Check out my route here:
Doggy Paddle 2025 — My GPS Trail
📸 Photos coming soon – including one of the glorious moment I fell in for the second time…
💙 If you’d like to support the amazing work of Guide Dogs UK, find out more on their website.
Let me know if you’d like to add photo placeholders, embed your Garmin stats, or link this post to your SUPBIKERUN fundraiser as well.
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