A SUP-tastic Day at Albany Reach Park.
We gathered at Albany Reach Park, nestled along the picturesque River Thames, just upstream from our home base at The Albany Pub, Thames Ditton.
The sun shone brightly and temperatures soared, making it the perfect day to celebrate the summer solstice.
It was clear we weren’t the only ones with plans for the day. The area was bustling with locals enjoying the warm weather, with the river brimming with an array of colorful floating contraptions. From lilos filled with friends to inflatable boats, rubber rings, and children splashing about in armbands, the scene was a vibrant tapestry of summer fun. And of course, we were there with our trusty SUP’s and our beloved dragon SUP, affectionately dubbed “Gronckle” the Airship.
Before the festivities commenced, we secured a shaded spot for ourselves and our SUP’s therefore preventing any potential sunburn or board explosion incidents; a task that quickly turned into a comedic challenge. As people descended upon the park like locusts, we found ourselves guarding our precious area with cool boxes, bags, and anything else we could find, all while listening to the familiar hiss of air escaping from the SUP’s of fellow park-goers who hadn’t ensured their valves were sealed before pumping their boards. It was a lively scene, filled with laughter and camaraderie even before we hit the water.
We took to the water with multiple paddles – venturing up to Molesey Lock and cruising down around Thames Ditton Islands to Thames Ditton Marina. It was a true community affair, with boards, paddles and expertise being swapped freely, allowing newcomers to try their hand at SUP for the first time. The varying degrees of success led to plenty of laughs and cheer among us!
Reconnecting with former members Vicky, Devon & Dave brought a wave of nostalgia. The camaraderie was palpable as we swam, feasted, and chatted about upcoming club events. Highlights of the day included exhilarating SUP Polo games, and Gronckle the Airship proved to be a hit—at one point, we had seven eager paddlers riding the dragon!
We lingered until 9pm, soaking in every moment of light and laughter. Clare and Tony decided to paddle part of the way home to Teddington, shortening their bus ride back to Richmond. Stephen opted for a more traditional route, hauling his SUP back to Hampton Court station on foot aided by his trusty trolley. And in a moment of panic, Judy frantically searched for her car keys, which she’d tucked away too safely earlier in the day!
Special thanks go to Eva and Judy for their generous contributions of delicious food and drinks, ensuring no one went hungry. Likewise to Michael who provided parking at his house, which made our unloading process so much smoother. And, of course, thanks to Liz, Ainy, Caroline and Ali, who worked tirelessly to transport our SUP’s, paddles, and buoyancy aids from club storage to the park and back. This event would not have been possible without your incredible support – thank you!
Reflecting on this sun-soaked day, one thing is clear: the Summer Solstice SUP social was more than just a day on the water; it was a celebration of community, friendship, and the joy of being together on, around and in the water. Here’s to many more fun times with our fantastic club!
