By Peter Tranter
First off, where did you discover SUP? I discovered SUP in Indonesia a few years ago when I was on my way back from an Australian tour. We stopped off in Bali and my son was getting some surf lessons, so I was messing around on a paddle board. It was totally the wrong board to start on. It was a narrow race board, very unstable and I fell off quite a bit. Luckily the water’s warm in Bali so it was a good place to learn. When I got back to London, I went for some lessons and this time on a much more stable board. I was quickly up and paddling, and that was it I was hooked.
An interview with… Bill Bailey
First off, where did you discover SUP?
I discovered SUP in Indonesia a few years ago when I was on my way back from an Australian tour. We stopped off in Bali and my son was getting some surf lessons, so I was messing around on a paddle board. It was totally the wrong board to start on. It was a narrow race board, very unstable and I fell off quite a bit. Luckily the water’s warm in Bali so it was a good place to learn.
When I got back to London, I went for some lessons and this time on a much more stable board. I was quickly up and paddling, and that was it I was hooked.
How does SUP give you satisfaction?
SUP is very Zen. It’s calming and clears your mind. You focus on staying upright, and on the horizon. It’s a fantastic way to just step off the world for a while. You can glide around close to wildlife without disturbing it too much, you are usually somewhere fairly peaceful, and it’s a good workout.
Talk to us about your local paddling area. As we understand this is mainly locations around the Thames?
I often paddle on the Thames as it’s so close to where I live. I love how easy it is to make use of the river with a paddle board. Since I’ve been paddling, it’s amazing to me how many places there are to launch from. There are so many little ramps and draw docks up the Thames and the surrounding waterways that are perfect for getting a board in. You just have to watch the tides and plan your paddles accordingly, but you soon get the hang of it.
The Thames is a busy river with lots of users of many different kinds. There are many rowing clubs up and down the stretch I paddle in, so you have to watch out for them. They are going fast and backwards! So you have to make sure to stay out of their way. Sometimes the wash from the larger pleasure boats can be a problem, especially if they are going against the tide, but again you get used to positioning your board straight into the waves, or else just kneeling down till they subside.
Paddling the Thames is a way to get a unique perspective on this ancient waterway. You get a sense of the history of the waterways, the old docks, and the ramps that are visible at low tide where the horses were led to take off the loads from the barges.
Any parts of the Thames you prefer to SUP?
I love the stretch near me, from Putney up to Kew Bridge. I’ve paddled it many times and there’s always something new to see.
Wildlife has flourished on the
Thames , which animal/bird/fish
attracts your eye?
The Thames water quality has improved dramatically over the years, and last year while out paddling I was lucky enough to catch up with the Environment Agency doing their twice-yearly survey. As they hauled their nets in, I was shown sea bass! Sea bass in the Thames! Only a little one mind, not big enough for the lemon wedges. But even so this shows the health of the river. There’s over a 100 fish species, a seal colony at Teddington and just recently a dolphin was seen near Putney Bridge, so things are looking up.
Do you prefer the river or ocean?
I prefer the river, only because it’s more accessible to me. It’s fascinating being able to paddle in an urban environment. You see so much more in cities.
The ocean is a different beast – more about the challenge of the elements. You might be battling with currents, waves and wind so it’s a bit more physical. Rivers, lakes and canals tend to be more about the access – where paddleboarding can take you.
How often do you manage to get afloat in your hectic schedule?
I try and get out to paddle when can. On tour in Australia and New Zealand last year we got out on the boards quite a bit, as the weather and water conditions were often perfect. We paddled in a lake in Darwin in Oz which we were assured was croc-free!
When you’re not SUPing, what else do you do to relax?
I like mountain biking, skiing, kayaking, long-distance walking, and occasionally paint balling!
I’m into SUP and going on vacation, where would you recommend?
I was on tour in Sweden, and I took my board through the middle of Stockholm, it was a little hairy but fantastic. Scandinavia has some amazing interconnected waterways which would be perfect for SUP, and a great way to see the landscape.
I also reckon there’s huge potential in the west coast of Scotland, along the estuaries, and lochs. It has a beautiful coastline with opportunities to see all manner of wildlife like seals, eagles, otters, porpoise, and even Orcas.
Where’s the furthest from the UK you’ve been SUPing?
The furthest spot I’ve SUP’d is in the eastern archipelago of Indonesia. I was on a boat trip to see the total solar eclipse in Northern Maluku near an island called Halmahera. On the way we stopped at Waigeio, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a stunning group of islands made up of pure white beaches surrounded by huge conical limestone khasts that rise vertically out of a turquoise water. It’s like something from a fantasy, a lost world. And paddling through it was unforgettable.
What’s your involvement with Billboard?
I was one of the founders of Billboard. I am the Bill in Billboard! I had just started paddling the Thames a few years ago with Paul Hyman from Active 360 and my friend and neighbour Soren Knutsson. Paul had the technical know-how and a huge experience of teaching SUP, Soren cam from a design background and I was the guinea pig, making suggestions. Between the three of us, we came up with Billboard.
What’s the ideas behind the Billboard Heron?
The Billboard Heron was designed specifically for the Thames. I like the name Heron, It is the essence of Billboard, because the board, which can be found anywhere in Britain from a remote Scottish loch to an urban canal. It is the ultimate explorer board.
After the first prototype we made a few changes. The rear of the board was tapered more to give better tracking and also to bring down the weight a little. The fin is a little larger and better shaped and the carry handles were firmed up to be more comfortable. There’s now a pressure release valve in case you’re paddling in the tropics and the air in the board expands too much.
Because you’re just gliding along silently, paddle boarding is a brilliant way to get close to nature. It’s easier to see birds and other wildlife when you’re hardly making a sound. When I was out paddling the Brent River with Soren, I saw a kingfisher fly right in front of me. This was the first time I’ve seen that in all the years I’ve been in London, and I’m sure that was down to the board’s stealth!
Any further plans with SUP?
I think the Big Ben Challenge is a fantastic idea. Paddling through the heart of London is a truly wonderful experience. I hope this leads to a new approach to the Thames, where it can be opened up more for recreation and watersport. It is such a brilliant resource and I think at the moment it’s being underused. Paul Hyman and Active 360 have been running events on the Thames for years, and at the same time highlighting the problems of plastic pollution, so the more profile these events get, the more the river can be improved for all users. The future is SUP!
Quickfire
If you could paddle with anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be?
I would paddle with Suleiman the Magnificent – I reckon he’d be up for it
Pick two celebrities to be your parents…
Dad- Geoffrey Chaucer
Mum – Joan of Arc
Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
Matt Damon
Are you a bathroom/shower singer and if so what do you sing?
Talking Heads – shower
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter
An ideal night out for you is?
Snowmobile up a mountain – some wine + Italian food – dancing on a bar.
What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?
Piano.
Many thanks for all of your help on this Bill – we really appreciate it.
