Bantham Paddle

on

With the forecast and tide times Sunday's paddle was another early start, at Russ' suggestion from Bantham up the River Avon to Aveton Gifford and back, making the most of the tides and a tailwind on the way back.


First, inflation. Not a bad backdrop when pumping up boards. 


Red Paddle Race
Today's board was the Race, now mine no longer borrowed, and I needed to get more time on it after 2 weeks off the water. The first few minutes were a bit unbalanced ... but dry. Forgot that feeling from being on the water.


Launching at 08.20 we were well timed for the incoming tide, launching was easy enough from Bantham Quay, near the entrance to the car park.



Suffered from the usual property envy from SW river paddles. Who'd want to live there... !


Everyone on 12' boards today, Maz on her Race with Russ on his Allstar and Rich on my Explorer.

Maz and geese.
Wildlife everywhere, dozens of geese heading downriver, I guess chasing the outgoing tide to find places to feed. Flying close to the water they would climb at the last minute to avoid us before dropping back down again.

When paddling, bring a smile.

Russ on the Allstar heading to the road.

This is a road at low tide, here under 4' of water
With Russ leading the way we pulled over at a road, completely submersed by the high tide. Here was a quick board swap with Rich trying his first race board. That's going to be expensive later ... Also spent time watching dozens of swans, geese and cormorants in what looked like a large mixed flock sheltering from the wind in a creek.

Rich bridging.
At Aveton Gifford the river is crossed by the A379 on a long, low bridge. No obstacle to a SUP paddler, just glide under it. Sadly there was nothing to see under one span, the other will need to be paddled another day.

There was also a very interesting dog trial going on beside the river, a variety of gun dogs, spaniels, retrievers and labs with their owners participating in what looked like the best dog trial ever. A host of keen canines waiting on the bank for their turn to retrieve a float from the river.


On the way up river I'd investigated a catamaran, from under the span. On the way back this seemed to have caught on with several hulls bagged.


Quick diversion for me on the way back to look at this. No idea what it was, a river folly perhaps.


Post paddle at the Bantham Gastrobus. Highly recommended!