Paddler Spotlight: Paddle boarders complete 162-mile coast-to-coast trail in five days

Our Paddler Spotlight stories continue this year with a remarkable journey of friendship and endurance.

Anthony Ing and Paul Norris (fondly known as Chuck) paddled the 162-mile -to- trail over five days, all while raising funds for Suicide Prevention UK, a cause close to their hearts. The duo hopes their challenge will help others see that talking, keeping active, and being around people can really help reverse the downward spirals that so many have found themselves or loved ones in. Talking, sharing, and truly showing up makes a difference.

On New Year’s Day, Anthony and Chuck embarked on their challenge with their sights set on the east coast. Over five days, they made their way from the Liverpool Dock along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Aire and Calder Navigation to Goole Dock. The duo navigated 91 locks along the way, including the famous 21-lock-Wigan-flight and Bingley’s famous Five Rise Staircase.

A cause close to their hearts
Every day, suicide takes around 19 people from their families and friends in the UK and Ireland— that’s over 7,000 a year. This January marked eight years since Chuck overcame several negative spirals of suicidal thoughts and personal mental health challenges. In response, he enlisted his best pal, Anthony to do something that might offer a candle of light to others facing similar struggles.

Against the backdrop of challenging, cold, and adverse weather conditions, Anthony and Chuck saw this trail as an opportunity to navigate mental and physical landscapes. It wasn’t only a physical challenge; it became a thoughtful journey. Initially, the challenge was about facing adversity alone, but as a true friend, Anthony transformed the idea into one that involves others, which is still full of personal hardship and adversity but opens the heart and adventure to others.

As if the paddle itself wasn’t challenging enough, they planned to forgo accommodation, choosing to carry all their kit on their boards and sleep under a tarp.

162-miles in under 100 hours
It was incredibly impressive how Chuck went from paddling 20-30km a day to 60km+ in the space of a month. His dedication and support from Anthony helped him get to that level. While the physical training was important, he spent much time improving his technique. This allowed all physical efforts to be put to best use through efficient paddle strokes.

Words by Anthony and Chuck
Setting off on January 1st at 12 pm, we arrived at Goole just under 100 hours later. We were pleased with that, especially as we experienced some harder paddling conditions than we had anticipated.

The challenge was extremely hard, but doing it with a friend meant that you could laugh and get through the tough bits. It was a surprise how ‘thick’ some parts of the canal felt. Where it was more rural, the water felt like syrup at times and slowed us down.

In the harder moments, our friendship and support kept us going. Tough times were made easier by bank support from complete strangers who would run alongside, cheer us on, offer food, and donate money online. Each night, we checked messages before going to bed, and that gave us a lift for the next day’s gruelling paddle.

Crossing the finish line felt amazing, as it does with any challenge. Having all our friends and family there was fantastic. But we enjoyed the whole journey along the way. From coming up with the idea two years ago to planning a route and training for it to crossing the finish line, it was great. We can’t wait to potentially think up a new challenge.

I didn’t think I would enjoy the miles we would have to physically do, but we did actually enjoy that aspect. It was incredibly rewarding to see the miles clocking up. The level of support also gave us a huge buzz along the way.

Amazing work from Anthony and Chuck, well done both! Their donation page is still open if you’d like to show them support.

If you, or someone you love, are struggling and require help please see useful links and numbers below.
Suicide Prevention UK: 0800 689 5652
The Samaritans: 116 123
The NHS emergency helpline: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
Papyrus: 0800 068 4141 or text 07860039967