The Paddler Autumn/Fall issue 2017

ThePADDLER 168
Glenn Eldridge and Paul Hyman
Bill Bailey and Paul Hyman
catch their attention, helping to combat the feeling
of fatigue, as parks, grand buildings, heliports and
boats slip by with every paddle stroke. Each
paddler concludes the journey passing under the
last bridge at Putney. Smiles radiate as they give
their last efforts to cross the finish line of their
personal journey with great gusto
Stories of the experience
Finishing paddlers wade out of the waters to
cheers and claps from bystanders, friends and
loved ones. Waiting on the water’s edge,
paddlers who have finished, encourage the
achievements of all who have partaken in this
epic journey. Many stories of the experience are
shared right there and then on the banks with
hearty laughing, closely followed by groans as stiff
and sore muscles carry boards off the shoreline
The festival feeling rose in the air as SUP’ers
joined the frivolities and music on the riverside
at the Foreshore Festival event. Crowds
gathered as the organisers took great pride in
announcing the achievements of the SUP
paddlers at the prize giving, with all involved
cheering and showing that they truly enjoyed the
privilege of taking part.
As the SUP’ers slowly started to disperse and
the tide fully returned, nobody was left in any
doubt that this event would be back too. Big Ben
had indeed seen all paddlers achieve their
individual goals. The clock will chime at midnight
on New Year’s Eve, signalling to all that 2018 will
bring a fresh challenge for all SUP’ers to
participate at, with friends new and old, once
again enjoying this epic paddle.