Paddle Boarding Wales by Lisa Drewe
I feel as though Wales is my second home, so I was delighted to be asked to review Lisa Drew’s new book, Paddle Boarding Wales, published by Wild Things Publishing.
This is Lisa’s second foray into writing a SUP-specific book, her first being Paddle Boarding South West, which I reviewed last year. She is an award-winning author and is now a full-time writer and photographer. She is chair of the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation and an Ordnance Survey Outdoor Champion, so she is clearly someone who not only loves the outdoors and wildlife with a passion but also our beloved sport of SUP.
This new publication is in the same format as the previous book and has a great weight and feel to it in your hands – being a ‘paper’ book lover, this is so important to me. Inside, it is set out similarly, with contents and a numbered map with a corresponding information table for each route – this includes the route and description, type of water, grade and distance of paddle. It is easy to decide where and what type of paddle you want, especially if you are beginning your sup journey and can clearly differentiate between easy and more challenging paddles.
The following chapters include some great information on kit, advice for beginners, how to plan a trip, guidance for paddling with your dog, what to wear, what to take with you in your day bag and how to use the book to get the most out of it.
It also features routes by theme, so anything from historic paddles to pub trips or where to camp next to the water, comes under the heading ‘Best For,’ and we particularly like this.
You then have the huge choice of 108 paddles – each route is featured across two pages, with stunning photographs to inspire you to travel and paddle. For each route, there is a clear information box with all the practical advice you need, from a starting point with address, What3Words and Lat/Lon coordinates to parking, launching type, pitstops, local SUP schools, how to get there and special points about the route. Offshore wind direction is given clearly to make sure you know when and if to go out at that location. We thought this was a simple but effective safety tip given on each route with a more detailed explanation of winds earlier in the book.
There is also a description for each route, which is short and concise but certainly contains enough information to make your paddle enjoyable. It lists interesting features along the way for all routes. Paddle the Aberporth Explorer, Cardiff River Taff, Barry Island and Three Bays, and the stunning Conwy Estuary, amongst many others.
How to stay safe on the water
Towards the end of the book, there is an excellent section on how to stay safe on the water, which includes safety equipment, safety procedures, and health issues, including cold water shock and jellyfish stings.
Paddling Responsibly takes you through the Paddler’s Code, wildlife and how to be respectful and protect it whilst enjoying it from your paddleboard and how to make your voice heard through some great organisations, including Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), Planet Patrol and the Charity Seaful. Sound and straightforward advice about Licence and Permits finishes the book off nicely.
If you love Wales or visit there often, this book will be invaluable for deciding where to visit and where to paddle. There are groups of routes quite close to each other, too, so if you are staying in one area, you could use this book multiple times. It is a beautiful book full of stunning photography that will inspire you not only to visit Wales but also to paddle there.
Price: £18.99
