Sam Perrett’s Source 2 Sea challenges

Recently, we caught up with Sam Perrett to find out why he took on a new series of paddling challenges in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What inspired you to take on your Source2Sea river challenges?
The inspiration came after my wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2023. It completely changed our family’s world, and I knew I wanted to do something positive to raise awareness and funds for the MS Society, an organisation that’s been a huge source of support. But beyond that, I wanted to encourage others to get outdoors. Whether that’s going for a walk, jumping on a bike, or getting on the water in a kayak, it’s amazing what nature can do for both your physical and mental health.

The idea of tracing a river from its source to the sea just made sense. It’s symbolic of life and the journey with MS. Full of twists, turns, calm sections, and floods. It’s never predictable, but the current keeps moving forward. That’s the mindset behind Source2Sea, showing resilience, finding purpose, and proving that even when things get tough, you can keep going.

Can you tell us a bit more about your first river challenge on the River Severn?
The River Severn was the perfect place to start, the first of five planned expeditions and right on my doorstep. It’s also the UK’s longest river, so it felt like a fitting challenge to begin the journey. The route covered 380km over eight days: two days hiking from the source in Hafren Forest, three days cycling (more than planned due to flooding), two days kayaking from Bewdley to Gloucester, and one final day cycling to the sea at Portishead.

Regardless of whether I was hiking, cycling, or kayaking, I always stuck as close to the river as possible. The aim was to follow its entire journey from the trickle at the source to the tidal water at the finish. It was an incredible way to see how the river changes and evolves, and in a way, how I did too along the journey.

Any highlights from this challenge? Any challenges/tricky sections you had to overcome?
The inspiration came after my wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2023. It completely changed our family’s world, and I knew I wanted to do something positive to raise awareness and funds for the MS Society, an organisation that’s been a huge source of support. But beyond that, I wanted to encourage others to get outdoors. Whether that’s going for a walk, jumping on a bike, or getting on the water in a kayak, it’s amazing what nature can do for both your physical and mental health.

What inspired you to take on your Source2Sea river challenges?
The first challenge hit straight away, biblical rain on day one, while hiking to the source! Even though it was the only day of rain, it completely changed river conditions upstream, making solo kayaking unsafe for several days. That meant a major last-minute replan, cutting my time on the water from four and a half days to two once levels dropped back to a safe point and cycling instead. It turned into a real test of flexibility and on-the-go problem-solving.

The biggest highlight, though, was the people I met along the way. From strangers donating and offering encouragement to rowing clubs opening their doors to help, the kindness was incredible. Even with a minor knee injury from day one and the physical fatigue that followed, those moments of human connection and support made all the difference. They made the finish line feel even more rewarding.

You describe touring kayaking as your biggest passion — what does being on the water mean to you?
I work in a fast-paced and often stressful tech job, so for me, touring is the complete opposite of that world. There’s a calm and simplicity to being out on a quiet river or lake that helps me reset. It’s a chance to disconnect from screens and constant noise, and reconnect with nature to enjoy the countryside at its most raw and beautiful.

I’ve only been kayaking for about a year, but I was hooked straight away. People often tell me I should try white-water paddling for more excitement, but that’s not what I’m after. I love the stillness and the rhythm of touring, the peaceful repetition of each paddle stroke and the sense of escape that comes with it.

How did you start your paddling journey? You mentioned you’re working towards your Touring Leader Award. Is this the next step in your journey?
It all started about a year ago as part of preparing for the Source2Sea expeditions. I knew kayaking would play a key role in the challenges, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with it quite so quickly. Since then, I’ve joined the Wychavon Kayak & Canoe Club in Pershore, which has a fantastic community of paddlers who’ve been incredibly supportive from the start.

Working towards my Touring Leader Award feels like the natural next step. It’ll help me build more confidence and skills for the bigger expeditions ahead, but more importantly, I want to give back. If I can help others experience the same sense of calm and freedom that paddling’s given me, that would be hugely rewarding.

Do you have a favourite section of the River Severn (or another river) that really stands out from your trip?
Living in Worcester, I’m lucky to have the River Severn right on my doorstep. There’s something really special about paddling through the city and seeing it from a completely different perspective. You get to appreciate familiar places in a new light. It’s peaceful, reflective, and surprisingly beautiful.

I also love the stretch from Bridgnorth to Arley, which is about 10 miles long. It’s the perfect balance between tranquillity and training. Long enough to build endurance and improve technique, but still quiet and scenic with a few fun, straightforward rapids (if you can call them that) thrown in. Most of my paddling has been on the Severn and River Avon, but I’d love to start exploring other UK and European rivers soon…so recommendations are always welcome!

What’s next for you on the Source2Sea journey, and how are you preparing for the next river?
Next up is the River Rhône, the second river in the five-part, five-year Source2Sea series. It’s roughly 825km from the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The kayaking sections will include paddling across Lake Geneva and from south of Lyon to the coast. It’s more than twice the distance of the Severn, so it’s a big step up in both scale and logistics!

Beyond that, I’ll be tackling the Tagus across Spain and Portugal, followed by the Rhine, which starts in the Swiss Alps, flows through six countries, and finishes in Rotterdam. Then, in 2029, there’s the grand finale: a still-secret river just short of 4,000km that should take around three months to complete. Each river brings new challenges and new opportunities to raise awareness and funds for the MS Society.

What message do you hope people take away from following your journey?
I hope people realise you don’t have to be an elite athlete to take on something extraordinary, I’m certainly not! What matters most is having a reason that drives you. For me, that’s raising awareness for MS and showing that even when life takes unexpected turns, you can still create something positive from it.

I also want to encourage people to get outdoors more. We spend too much of our lives on screens these days, and there’s so much to gain from just stepping outside. Go for a walk, get on a bike, or try a paddlesport. You don’t need to cross continents to find adventure. Sometimes it’s right on your doorstep and can be great fun for all the family and people of any age.

How can people follow or support your Source2Sea challenge?
The best way to follow along is on Instagram at @source2sea.uk, where I share regular updates, training clips, and expedition progress. There’s also lots more about my story and upcoming rivers on the website: www.source2sea.uk.

If you’d like to support the mission, you can donate directly to the MS Society through my JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/source2sea. Every donation, share, or bit of encouragement makes a real difference. It helps raise awareness, funds vital research, and keeps me motivated to keep going through each stage of this five-year adventure.