The Paddle Skedaddle and the all-new Paddle Double Bubble!
Words: David Partridge
Photos: David Partridge, Craig Sawyer and Scott Turner
The annual Paddle Skedaddle was amplified this year with the ‘Double Bubble,’ bringing the SUP event circus to Hickling Broad in Norfolk.
There was a glittering gathering of paddlers in the warm May sunshine, including three out of the four Yukon 1000 paddlers. Craig Sawyer kindly provided some imagery and a glimpse of what paddling the double entails. He is soon headed back to the Yukon for the 600.
Martin Rendle is the Race Director, and he waved off his fellow Yukon paddler Kim Foster, who was joining Craig on the double. The double was a new adjunct to the famous paddle skedaddle, created to fill the gap left by the Norfolk Broads Ultra.
The weather was atypical; Martin just couldn’t believe the luck or prescience in choosing a great weekend with a clear, cloudless sky and relatively light winds.
The racing for the double started (and finished) at Hickling Broad Sailing Club, which provided excellent registration facilities. What other SUP race commences from a thatched clubhouse? The race started at 06.00 and was perfect with flat water, bitterns booming and an incredible sunrise over Hickling Broad, the first open stretch of water. The race then threaded through the hamlet of Potter Heigham (under the famous medieval bridge), passed Thurne, and on to the Ant and the second open stretch across Barton Broad.
Meanwhile, skedaddlers had dropped their boards at Sutton Staithe, many using the arranged buses to return from the Hickling Base. They soon set off, and with perfect timing, the two fleets combined and retraced their steps back to Hickling.
Marsh Harriers soared, otters were spotted, and other wildlife included the odd Essex man. (Martin explained that cruiser rental companies provide minimal tuition, and occasionally, the racing spirit seemed to infect cruisers, who seemed oblivious to the effect of wake on SUPs. (Brushing a few of us off into the reeds!) Other wildlife included the inimitable Eric Amada, who held forth on wrong team tactics and made everyone crack up.
The racing was tight and competitive. The skedaddle is a race, after all, and there are time limits to reach key points along the route (with an offer for the sweeper safety boats to pick up stragglers). The usual circus of familiar faces and boards joined in with some excellent examples of teamwork, with leaders cooperating on fast draft trains with lots of place changes. The race was visible on the web server, which made it exciting to watch!
The competition is for SUPs, but it was great to see a three-man team of lifesavers paddling prone (in an epic time of 3.48 for the standard skedaddle). They were fundraising, had just completed a big swim, and were heading out for runs the following day.
Other paddling was represented with a smattering of surf skis.
Tandem SUP was represented once again by the ever-present, ever-ready, ever-smiling Swinsco and Rennie combo. They smashed the course record for SUP, finishing the 52 km in just under six hours! They were awarded first place (out of 1) for the double skedaddle.
The racing in the double was tight behind them, with Gavin Symonds and PJ Simmons in an enduring race that saw a tight finish. Gavin just powered ahead in the last turn to take the win with 6 hrs 3 minutes 30, and PJ was just 20 seconds behind. Third was Paul Drake.
There were some fantastic results in the larger skedaddle fleets over 26 km. Local legend Charlie Wagg posted 3hrs 4 minutes to take the podium, followed by Leon Warrington and Moz Roberts (delighted with his result), commenting, “Great couple of days in Norfolk. We raced 26.5k yesterday at The Paddle Skedaddle. The Sun was out, and as ever here, so was the wind! Paula did amazing with a 4th in a strong women’s fleet! Chuffed to get third in the men’s event after a long battle with Leon, well done, pal.”
Paula Skeoch Roberts was fourth, beaten by Gemma Palmer Dighton, Karis Parker, and the blisteringly fast Nat Rendle, who came in at 3 hrs 25.
In the ISUPs, male Shaun Dole (2), Kevin Last (3), and Neil Painter (1) shone. In the 14-foot inflatable females (it had to be said!!), Nicola Park(3), Angela Kerr (2), and Michaela Afford (1) shone.
There was also close racing in the sub-14-foot categories, with Imogen Terry, Deborah Howard, Steven Bax, and Connor Grant all very quick.
So what was that wind? Well, over the day, the wind did pick up a little, and a steady headwind greeted paddlers down the Heigham stretch to Martham. But turning the corner, a blessed tail wind assisted all over the final Hickling crossing. What a grand finish with a little hook and head up to cruise into the Sailing Club. The course is almost circular, so, at some point, there should be a favourable wind.
ShoreTees, Infinity, and Starboard were all on hand to demonstrate their wares and offer prizes. Organisation was seamless, and the pub was literally next door. There was also a wonderful camping offer at Hickling Barn. This is a great race, and the cut-offs are generous, so there are really no excuses for people with a bit of experience (one of the inflatable men had not paddled more than 6 km before!). The welcome is brilliant, and everyone is on hand to help.
So, memories and reflections: It’s stunning scenery, not always windy, great organisation, and once again, a happy gathering of the SUP family. Huge thanks to Martin Rendle and all the crew at Norfolk SUP Racing, Hickling Barns, and the sailing club, all of whom made everyone most welcome.
Who is back again next year, and who would like to take part? It’s another 5-star recommendation after a great spring and early summer of SUP this year.
Full results www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=389386
Racepage: www.norfolksupracing.co.uk
There will be loads of images and other materials to follow, but thanks to Craig Sawyer and Scott Turner for allowing me to use a couple now!
SUP Mag UK 
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