By Dan Smith

Army veteran completes ‘Paddle of Britain’ challenge to say thank you to the WWI generation. Dan Smith’s extreme challenge, involved paddling and trekking almost 1,000 miles to cover the length of Great Britain, to mark this month’s historic 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The paddle of Britain

British army veteran, Dan Smith, successfully completed his 910 mile kayaking challenge – The Paddle of Britain – on Saturday 20 October 2018 crossing the finish line at Littlehampton Harbour in West Sussex. The 39-year old joins the record books by becoming the first person to kayak the full length of Great Britain using inland waterways from the top of Scotland to the bottom of England…

Embarking on the solo challenge and starting on the north coast of Scotland, Dan finished on the south coast of England after 53 days, covering a total of over 910 miles, in what he has described as, “One of the biggest challenges” of his life. The average distance covered each day was 17.5 miles, with the highest mileage in a single day recorded on day 23 of the paddle, when he clocked up a mighty 33 miles travelling between Reading and Windsor. The longest day spent in the kayak involved 13 hours and 45 minutes of paddling.

Dan Smith created the Paddle of Britain challenge to say ‘thank you’ to the WW1 generation ahead of the 100th anniversary of the end of the World War I, and he hopes to raise over £25,000 for the Royal British Legion, a charity, which provides financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces and their families. A former army sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Dan Smith served in the army for over a decade as a GMLRS Commander and Physical Training Instructor before leaving in 2013. His time in the army included tours in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

Of the challenge, Dan Smith said, “It was a huge test for me, physically and emotionally. I am so happy to have successfully completed the Paddle of Britain. What an amazing two months it has been. I’ve always liked a challenge but this is definitely one of the toughest things I have ever done. I’m looking forward to putting the kayak away for a little while now!”

The Paddle of Britain began in Durness in northern Scotland on the morning on 29 August. From the start line in the north west Scottish highlands, the route of the paddle was designed to follow inland waterways, which saw Dan kayak on lochs, lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals across Scotland and England.

In addition to paddling, and in order to travel between bodies of water, Dan trekked whilst dragging his kayak (nicknamed ‘Tommy’) and all his equipment using a special self-designed trolley system for over 200 miles. Specialist equipment required for the journey, including his tent, solar charges, technical clothing, a first aid kit, repair kits and food supplies were stored inside his kayak. Dan embraced the need for self-sufficiency, sleeping and camping wild along the route.

As well as family, friends and members of the local kayaking community, a strong turn out from the Royal British Legion was present in Littlehampton Harbour to cheer Dan over the finish line and congratulate him on his remarkable achievement.

After finishing the Challenge, Dan said, “Completing the Paddle today is one of my proudest achievements. I’d always wanted to take on a unique endurance challenge and with this year marking the landmark 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, I felt passionately that I had found a worthy cause to champion. The Paddle of Britain was created to help remember World War I soldiers and to raise as much money as possible for The Royal British Legion, a charity which I value dearly.

“With no surviving veterans left from World War I, it feels more important than ever to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of future generations.

“I hope the Paddle of Britain encourages people to stop and think about that day 100 years ago, but also to spare a thought for the men and women all over the country who have served and are still serving in the armed forces. I also hope that I’ve inspired people to get out there and embark upon their own challenges. I’m very grateful to my friends, colleagues, fellow military veterans, sponsors and all the many incredible people that I have met along the way who cheered me on and supported me by donating to the Royal British Legion.

“In particular, I want to thank my family, especially my wife and two children who I can’t wait to get a massive hug from now the paddling has finished!”

Simon O’Leary, Assistant Director of Fundraising at the Royal British Legion, said, “We are delighted that Dan has been able to complete this epic challenge to raise money for the legion. As a former soldier himself, he is aware that this kind of effort allows us to provide support to veterans, serving personnel and their families when they need it most. To have done this in 2018 is particularly significant, however, as we will all be taking time to remember and thank those who lived through the First World War. We are very grateful to Dan – congratulations on a brilliant effort.”

Nick Gibb, the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, had this to say, “I think Dan is incredible and we were absolutely delighted to see his inspirational Paddle of Britain challenge finish in Littlehampton. His Paddle from the north of Scotland to the south of England has been a gruelling test of his endurance. The support here on the finish line in West Sussex demonstrated what a truly heroic achievement it is. Huge congratulations to Dan.”

Following the completion of the Paddle of Britain, Dan returned to his native Northumberland with his family for a rest, a bath, a good night’s sleep and (at his wife’s insistence), to shave off his impressive beard, before he returned to the day job of running their highly successful Northern Bootcamp business in Bamburgh.

For information on The Paddle of Britain and to support Dan Smith’s fundraising efforts for the Royal British Legion, visit www.paddleofbritain.com