Easter has come and gone BUT we’re STILL in lockdown. STILL no paddling (at least in the UK). BUT. If you could get out and paddle, where is the first place you would head for right now? This is the fifth set of replies. 

We asked some of our valued contributors to the Paddler magazine for their answer, which started over the Easter weekend and we will feature those answers from the four corners of the planet. Paddlers will feature in the order they sent their replies.

Read series 1: https://paddlerezine.com/where-in-the-world-would-you-have-paddled-this-easter/
Read series 2: https://paddlerezine.com/where-in-the-world-would-you-have-paddled-this-easter-2/
Read series 3: https://paddlerezine.com/where-in-the-world-would-you-have-paddled-this-easter-series-3/
Read series 4: https://paddlerezine.com/where-in-the-world-would-you-have-paddled-this-easter-series-4

Ray Goodwin
The Great Glen: Fort William to Inverness

Where did we plan to go at Easter? Well that is an easy one, it was to be our first family trip across the Great Glen in Scotland.  Maps were laminated, the new tent due for a testing and fingers were crossed for good weather. Little did we realise what the new reality would be. 

I have paddled the Glen numerous times as a guide but also on personal trips.  Graham Rowe and I did it against the wind as part of a north to south crossing of the Highlands in ’98. We started on Loch Eribol on the north coast finally crossed the Rannoch Moor to finish in Perth. 

I have completed it in a single day with Chris Charlton before paddling the Spey the following day.  Loch Lochy was eerie in darkness and mist only to find neither of us had packed a compass (it normally lives in my BA) but we sorted it.  It took, from start to finish, some sixteen hours.  

So many adventures and this was designed to be another, our first crossing as a family. Lina, Maya and I have paddled the Spey, done trips to the Drome and Ardeche, expeditioned in Algonquin but the Great Glen will have to wait.  

Photo: Loch Lochy with Ben Nevis in the background. Paddlers Alan and Helen Pinnington

David Bain
West coast of Scotland

The place I am going to paddle as soon as this lockdown is over will the west coast of Scotland. My family is from the Stirling area and I spent a lot of time when I was younger heading north to go paddling. I am looking forward to both getting back out in my sea kayak, as well as getting some laps on some freshwater too.

Andy Lee
South Fork of the New River near Boone, North Carolina

The USA and Canada have thousands of lakes and rivers and bays, and like everyone else, I would love to be paddling any one of them right now. My first choice is the South Fork of the New River near Boone, North Carolina. 

The South Fork is the beginning of my upcoming 1,000-mile paddling and backpacking trip following the footsteps of Daniel Boone, one of America’s greatest frontier heros who blazed the trails that settled the west.

The South Fork is headwaters for the incredible New River which flows north through North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia before entering the Kanawha River which flows to the Ohio River in Ohio and the Big Sandy River in  Kentucky. It begins on the Eastern Continental Divide along the Tennessee/North Carolina border and eventually makes its way to the Mississippi River and down to the Gulf of Mexico. I would love to see all of it. 

That is over 700 miles of excellent paddling for all levels of paddlers. Beginning with a gently flowing blue-ribbon trout stream where a mom is teaching her five year old son how to kayak, to rambunctious Class III-IV rapids in the New River Gorge National Park. 

Georgina Preston
Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, UK

When based in the UK, my perfect sunny weekend is a stone’s throw from my house – Holme Pierrepont! Pack a picnic and you’re set for the day! I am a casual raft guide there, so I’ll do a fun session on the raft, usually with a rowdy stag do crew, followed by a freestyle lap in my second-hand gui gui (replacing my beloved 20-year old Riot Flair!). I like to take it easy, one lap playing on each feature – my favourites being Top Wave, Twin Waves, Jaws and Muncher, then chill in the sun with chums, before jumping on again. In the evening when it’s quiet, I’ll jump on Jaws on my foamie surfboard. I love walking back upstream as the sun sets over the river, ending the perfect UK weekend. 

I am a combat medic in a specialist reserve medical regiment of the Army. Right now I’m on 48-hour standby with my bags packed ready to go. However much I want to help out right now, it is a good sign if we are not called up. 

I try to avoid British winters so you’ll normally find me in Peru from October till November, then elsewhere in South America until March. But you can’t beat a sunny weekend with mates messing about in the Trent!

James Ibbotson
Plattling, Germany

Hey! If I could be paddling anywhere in the work right now it would undoubtedly be Plattling, Germany. It has to be one of the best all-round freestyle places. The feature itself is prime for going huge and learning new tricks. But apart from that it is a hub of European freestyles, with the Germans always being around, but then friends from Poland, Slovakia, Czech, France, and lots of other places there too.

You camp (for free) right next to the feature in the field where it is nice and quiet, and perfect for late night drinks and moonlight sessions. If it is the right time of year you also have the beer festival a walk away! So many friendly locals love seeing the paddlers there and the beer is good! Plattling is the ultimate freestyle town for me!

Gareth Mahood
Lough Erne, N. Ireland, UK

Easter time in Northern Ireland means one thing and that Is the Ulster Canoe Club annual Family camp and easter egg hunt. For this we head for Upper Lough Erne where we use the Share Centre for our meeting point and then head off to the fantastic bothy on Trannish Island.

You can’t help but fall in love with Lough Erne as you head off to explore all the islands.  A truly fabulous place to head off to live out an essential Easter getaway. We are so fortunate to have this facility to use and we love to show visitors to the festival everything that the area has to offer.

Check out the the canoe trail information at http://www.canoeni.com/canoe-trails/lough-erne/ where you can request a free waterproof map and guide to the area. Information on the Bothy can be found https://sharevillage.org/trannish-island-bothy/ 

Markus Stehböck
Soca River, Croatia

Covid-19 these days, is preventing us from social contacts. Here in Bavaria, Germany, this means no kayak or SUP lessons at all and staying at home, letting the first snow melts flows disappear. Usually we spend this period of the year in Greece to open the season. Well, maybe the first break in this almost 20 years of old routine, will strengthen our joy for next year! Staying positive about the situation, we hope to be paddling the Soca again, soon.

Despite all optimism, we are aware of a non-travelling possibility next month. In this case, staying flexible and making the best of the situation is the key. Most of the white water paddlers I know are used to this anyway. For us this means staying on the home rivers, which luckily we also have in good numbers.

Adrian Cooper
Open Canoe Festival, Drôme Valley, France

Paul Villecourt has been the organiser for the Ooen Canoe Festival for the past nine events, although over slightly more than nine years. Indeed, one year when it was not on, I took a group of friends to the event campsite to run the river despite the lack of a festival. The festival plays host to several hundred paddlers from all over Europe and is a great place to make new friends whilst paddling knew of the best whitewater canoeing rivers in the area.

Having attended five previous festivals  I was looking forward to the tenth anniversary which was unfortunately cancelled due to the coronavirus. I’ll definitely be at the next one. The pictures are of me on the last weir before the take out although the authorities have now changed this so it is a bigger bang but much more straightforward. 

Photos: Paul Villecourt

Ottilie Robinson-Shaw
Slave River, NWT, Canada

Like everyone here in the UK at least, I’m massively missing not only my regular training but all the paddling trips planned and especially all the competitions now postponed at best. I was lucky to have Galway Fest as the first competition of the year and would be heading off to Colorado in the next couple of weeks for the Colorado tour including the Go Pro games before heading home for a summer of European competitions but sadly that is not to be.

For me my Easter paddling would have definetly been spent paddling and training at Holme Pierrepont however, a summer day on the Ottawa or maybe the mighty Slave River might just top my wish list right now.

Glenn Tomlinson
The Middle Etive, Scotland

Easter would’ve found me in the eastern Scottish Highlands, based near Fort William: the mecca for Scottish white water boaters. I never tire of the rugged beauty of this part of Scotland and it is no accident that Fort William is the Outdoor Capital of the UK, attracting those with an adventurous streak seeking quality white water.  

Fort Bill is the epicentre of west coast boating and in whichever direction you leave town, you are soon at a river. Rainfall and mountains usually means plenty of water in the rivers. When it rains you are spoilt for choice; and even when they’re low there are real gems, such as the Spean, Orchy and the dam release Garry, available. 

A Scottish trip would not be the same without a run down the Etive. The Middle Etive is a deservedly a well-known classic; if water levels are high and ‘Triple Step’ is full on you may find the Upper Etive a better option. Afterwards you have to head up the hill for some steep creeking action on the drops and slides of the nearby Allt a Chaourinin and the Allt Mheuran, for those all-important photographs and videos of your trip!

Rebecca Jones
Scotland, UK

If life was normal at I would normally go with where the water is. I sometimes break myself back into freestyle training with a long weekend at Holme Pierrepont/Lee Valley or I would have been creeking in Scotland. Instead I’m still working for Royal Air Force from my study trying to keep everything ticking over.

Richard Harpham
River Spey, Scotland, UK

Strange Times. It’s interesting selecting a place to paddle like trying to identify a favourite record. The virus has already robbed us of our work on the River Great Ouse, Lake District paddle, our Best of Scotland lochs and iconic rivers, moving water course in the Peak District and a Yukon Canoe Expedition. Perspective reminds us that despite missing out on our job, livelihood and passion, there are people far worse off, suffering in our communities, within families and friends. Stay Home, Stay Safe and Paddle Later.

So the answer is to question of where to paddle at Easter, if a magic wand was available, we would head to the Highlands of Scotland to canoe the River Spey. It’s packed with stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and fantastic rapids. There are other benefits including whiskey galore (to quote the film), highland hospitality and a chance to enjoy one of Britain’s best canoe rivers. 

I love pulling into the Old Bridge at Aviemore for a ‘wee dram’ or pint of ‘80 Schillings’, sharing the ‘Washing Machine’ with our customers and playing at Knockandoo rapids. Enjoying lunch and good company on the banks watching the world flow by is simply spell binding. The River Spey is one of those rare spiritual places that fills you with joy and you cant help to leave with a beaming smile.

Adam Evans
River Derwent into Derwent Water, England, UK

For me, combining the gentle River Derwent, fed from the high Tarns of the Lakes District, its banks lined with English oaks, meandering effortlessly under twee bridges from the Bowder Stone. It gives opportunity to pole, play and paddle before heading out into the poetic scenery of Derwent Water. 

Just before entering Derwent water itself, passing Canon Dub, on the east side of the river, pop into a hotel for a very British pint by the waters edges of this iconic part of the UK. Then leaving the river, taking the waters west shore, you can pass idyllic picnic spots in the bays of Myrtle, Abbots and Brandelhow, ideal places for an ice cream stop or picnic. 

Amid Derwent Water, under the view of the undulating Lake Land Fells, sit multiple islands to navigate, the most canoe accessible being St Herbert Island, once the home of a 7^th century hermit priest. I love spending time on these islands, doing nothing particular, they serve as such great places to paddle around at night, with head torches and compass bearings in the dark.  Or even a place for a quiet, innocuous, hammock  or bivvy out. 

With Keswick so near it’s an easily accessible paddle, where you can use the waters edge campsites with your family, enjoy the company of other people or explore the quieter edges of this picture perfect spot by canoe.

Mark Salter
Glasgow to Edinburgh Canoe Trail, Scotland, UK

At Easter we should have been paddle boarding with our friends from #TeamSUP Nottingham across Central Scotland. We were to be paddling the beautiful inland run of 90km on the ‘Glasgow to Edinburgh Canoe Trail’, stopping to see the Falkirk Wheel and to take some photos with the Kelpies! It’s the lesser known route for paddle boarders across Scotland. Probably the more famous route is the “Great Glen Canoe Trail” which our team were planning to paddle next month.

My wife and I paddled that route in 2018 and had the time of our lives. I’ve been fortunate enough to paddle in many amazing countries but Scotland is my favourite. The scenery is spectacular and the area so vast that you can often spend a whole day on the lochs and feel like you’re the only people there. Living in a city apartment, I really am craving that outdoor space at the moment as I know all of us paddlers are!

As soon as are on the water, we’ll be eager to get back to adventure paddling.

Let’s finish this series with two legends of canoeing, Becky Mason and Reid McLachlan…

We are staying home here in Canada as well. However, we did go paddling in our backyard yesterday! This might give you and you all a chuckle.