Limehouse Loop

12 intrepid explorers took to public transport to paddle the Limehouse Loop where they covered 5 canals in one day!

12 intrepid explorers used pubic transport to get to Hackney Wick to start our paddle in East London as there was no parking nearby. This was a first for quite a few having to carry their boards and equipment on the train but we all managed it. Our paddle boarding trips around our patch in West London and further west are mostly of greenery and countryside. The sights on this day around the East End was a day of greater contrasts.


We pumped up our boards and Moo Canoes very kindly offered to store our SUP bags and pumps on their boat which was a relief to us all as that meant we didn’t need to carry them on board with us.
We started off by the boats serving food and drinks on The River Lea Navigation near Hackney Wick heading off with the Olympic Park behind us down the Hertford Union Canal past Victoria Park. Our route took us almost to the River Thames then back up to the Olympic Park in a rough square shape.
Where Victoria park ends we met the Regents Canal which has come around from Islington. We turned left towards Limehouse, on this section was Mile End Park the first half was the greenest with the parks and also quite a few locks.





We paddled on to Limehouse Basin which is a marina with many mostly narrow boats and has the DLR passing on one side. Brett, Clare and Caroline carried on their quest to paddle on every inlet / piece of water in London. From Limehouse Basin there is a passage for boats to get onto the Thames but we turned left into the Limehouse Cut.


From the water you get a different perspective with a better view of what is on either side. It was interesting to see the old factory’s and industrial buildings, some of which have been redeveloped into housing along with many new blocks of flats. Canary Wharf from the canal was an amazing sight!
We spotted a heron on a fence and Swans were chasing after each other – its the season to find a mate.
Soon we were passing Three Mills Island – this was a very historic area with Oast Houses that were used for drying hops for beer, tall round brick chimneys and other historic buildings.




One of the most striking features of the day was the amount of creative graffiti. The highlight for graffiti lovers is the wide curved tunnel in The Bow area with strip lights by the water and over 100m of art to look at – if only paddle boarders would just stay still mid stream so i could get the perfect shot!
On this final stretch with the Olympic Park on our right taking us back to our start point, we could hear the cheers of the crowd from West Ham’s game with Everton at the Olympic Stadium.
The weather was gloomy with no sign of sun but the day anything but dull with 12 of us out seeing such a variety of sights. We went at a very leisurely pace taking just over 4 hours in all.






A lovely day was had by all that culminated at drinks at the White House before we boarded our trains home.
Thanks goes to Anu Aladin from My Sup Stories for being our amazing guide for the day, Moo Canoes for storing our luggage and Dittons for organising an amazing trip!
Blog by Stephen Ingall

Dudley and Netherton Tunnels

24 paddlers ventured into the Dudley and Netherton Tunnels for an amazing trip through history. This was going to be an experience to remember!

Unfazed by the early morning start and the slight chill in the air, 24 enthusiastic paddlers gathered in the car park of the Dudley Canal and Tunnels Trust. Clare, from Dittons Paddle boarding Club, lead the safety meeting and the group introduced themselves. We soon discovered that this trip was on many people’s bucket list, and the distances that paddlers were prepared to travel to join this trip was testament to that, with some of our group travelling from as far away as Southampton and North Wales.


With paddle boards pumped and kayaks packed, we headed down towards the first set of tunnels. Enthusiastically kitted out with helmets and head torches (as well as the odd set of fairy lights), we embarked on the canal ready to follow Brian and his barge into the Dudley Tunnels. Once deep inside the caverns, we stopped and switched off our lights in order to hear about their fascinating history and geological wonders, as well as to enjoy the light show.



The first set of tunnels stretched out for an impressive 2888 metres. Paddling through these tunnels was a surreal experience, blending the thrill of exploration with a sense of awe for the people in the past who regularly worked down there. With the exception of the occasional turn, the waterway stretched out for a long way in front of us, with light at the end of the tunnel always seeming like a pinhole in the distance.
Inside, the light was limited but the hilarity was nonstop. It was wonderful to see familiar faces from Dittons Paddle Boarding Club and meet new friends from Dave Paddles and beyond. The diversity of skill levels added to the charm of the event. Beginners received tips and encouragement from more experienced paddlers, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

Dave promised to bring the sunshine to our paddle and, as if by magic, once we were out of the first set of tunnels, the weather couldn’t have been better. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the canal.

With a brief interlude at Parkhead Conservation Area to rescue Brian and his barge from the shallow waters, we carried on our way around a set of locks and to meander along the canal towards Bumble Hole Nature Reserve. Along the way, we encountered lots of friendly fishermen, dog walkers and cyclists who were curious to see so many paddlers out and about on the waterways.
At Bumble Hole, we were delighted to find that the café was still open and took this as the perfect opportunity to refuel. The sun continued to shine on us, the swans paddled up and down and Cobbs Engine House provided the backdrop to our relaxed lunch break.

Keeping to our time schedule, we were met by one of the Canal Trust’s volunteers who ushered us through to Netherton Tunnel. This stretch of tunnel was only marginally shorter than the first, at 2768 metres, but it was wider and taller, meaning that we could stand up all the way.



Coming out the tunnel, we clambered out of the canal and carried our crafts up to Tividale Aqueduct to continue our journey back towards the Canal Centre along the Birmingham Canal. Once again, we were greeted by lots of families out walking who happily waved us on our way. As we arrived back at the Canal Centre, we realised that we were backing on to the Black Country Living Museum and the Peaky Blinders fans amongst us were quick to get their selfies in before they got off the water.

Once all crafts were cleaned and packed away, some paddlers headed off back down the motorway, happy and tired after a fun day of adventures. Around 16 of the group, decided to sample the wares of the locally revered Mad O’Rourke’s Pie Factory for a well-deserved meal. Over humorously named pies and drinks, stories from the day’s escapades were shared and plans for future outings were hatched.
Reflecting on the day’s events, it’s clear that this outing was about sharing adventure and the joy of being on the water.
A special thanks goes to Claire E for her amazing efforts in pulling this whole trip together.
Written by Liz Jackson

The Jungles of West Berkshire

We have over the last few years been heading to the Kennet and Avon Canal for a days Safari. It’s been fun to do, paddling upstream to a canal side pub and riding the current back. Some days have been quite long.

This year we were starting from The Teashop by the Canal in Newbury. There is excellent parking there as well. This is where we reached and had long on our last Safari on the Kennet.

There were four of us again. I think the West wind had something to do with the low turnout. Eva and Paul were returning from last year and we had Caroline along. She was one of the original Adventure Girls and used to finding waterways that other wouldn’t attempt. More of this later.

After pumping up and fueling with some excellent coffee from the Teashop we headed West through the centre of the town and the very narrow Newbury Bridge, on passed our first lock and out of the town passed old canalside cottages and into the countryside. This included the only ultra low bridge we had to lie down to get under.

We carried on West and noticed the main Kennet River joining the very straight canal at this point. The wind was making it hard going and we were glad of the rest at Guyer’s Lock Under the A34 dual-carriageway and then there was Higgs Lock, hardly a kilometer away. There then followed a series of locks interspersed with short sections of canal. What with the wind and the regular stops this was turning into a challenge.

This is a very rural part of the world with wooded banks and all sorts of wildlife. Ewa feed a small white duck at one lock. it become very brave and tried out the board. Then there were Red Kites flying over head and quite low at times. The occasional narrow boat, although it was quieter than expected. Near the aptly named Copse Lock there was the site of a very large fallen tree that had been cleared from the canal. It was amazing to see the hole in the woodland around it that it had left. Sometimes we don’t realise how big these trees are until they are gone.

Eventually after the longest “Pound” on our Safari, we came to the Lunch stop at The Dundas Arms, Kintbury. This will also form the start of the next Safari on The Canal. We had booked a table so were able to order lunch, And it was excellent, although the tasty puddings did take a little while to arrive.

The launch back onto the canal is easy of the concrete wall and we were looking forward to the trip back, with wind and current in our favour. After 3 locks we came to Benham Weir. At Lunch Caroline had mused about heading back via the River Kennet and not the Canal.

There was an straightforward crossing point by the weir and a fast flowing clear stream the other side. We decided to give it a go. The Adventure had begun. we all had Buoyancy Aids were scouting any obstacles before we passed them. We had to negotiate a small sluice and climb over a bank to get back onto the river.

It was beautiful hardly paddling as we flowed through water meadows and passed sheep and ducks of all varieties. Over small rapids and under low hanging trees. We then become aware that we were in an area where there is a fishing club, but it was closed for the day. Something to consider as I doubt they would be too happy if they had their lines out.

By the clubhouse there was another low weir to negotiate. The river here splits and gets narrow and fast flowing. The trees were getting lower to the water, so some caution was needed. We also noticed that there were concrete blocks in the water, one of which I hit with by fin causing me to take a dip. The water was deep and cool. quite refreshing.

Having put on my windproof jacket to keep the warmth in we continued to the A34 road bridge. This is were the Fun and the Jungle of West Berkshire started. If anyone comes this way again, bring heavy machinery or get out 100 metres before the bridge and rejoin the Canal at Higgs Lock.
There were fallen trees and reeds and weed. Sometimes the board had to be dragged over the trees or we had to slide under. We worked as a team and made sure everyone was safe. Another sluice had to be “shot”, a bit like the canoe slides at some locks. All the time we were waiting for the tranquil backwater we had seen on the way upstream. But No, more trees a metal barrier, a water pipe all had to be negotiated safely.

Then finally through yet another tree and there was a small narrowboat and tranquil water. What we had seen on the way up was all there was. It had taken 2 extra hours to avoid three locks. Then 4 weary paddlers headed back Newbury Lock and then onto the Teashop that had long since closed.

It was a great adventure and one I’m glad I have experienced, but if I ever do wild paddling again, I will bring some tools to clear away through. It would be good if someone does clear a bit of the back water, say up to the metal barrier, just enough to get a board or canoe through safely.

The next section is trough Hungerford and into the countryside beyond. I think a picnic might be needed as there are few towns or villages to stop at.
Happy Paddling.
Return to the Hot Tub

We returned to the Hot Tub for a series of Winter training in the luxurious warm waters of Hampton Pool.

7 lovely people joined us for the Taster session, some complete beginners and some with a little experience. The session started with a brief run down of the board, leash and paddle set up. Basic turns were shown on dry land before everyone got in to put it to practice. After about 10 minutes of turning and trying to paddle straight, it was time to try standing.


Some looked worried about this prospect but after we showed them the basics everyone was standing and paddling up and down the pool. Some fell in a little, some a lot, but the pool is so warm it really doesn’t matter. Near the end of the session everyone was asked to jump in and practice self rescue. This is such an important skill to learn and unfortunately one that gets neglected, “How do you get back on when you fall off”? Again everyone mastered the basics. We all wear floatation devices too so no need to worry if you are not a strong swimmer.

A great evening was had by all and everyone did amazingly and most of all it was fun!

We also ran our Dittons Dolphins SUP Polo training with drills and skills. It is great fun and great to be able to train in a warm pool as there is a lot of falling in! Anyone can join so why not come along and try it. You will have loads of fun!
