My SUP Stories

“At some point I realised that it wasn’t about the distance. It was about the time spent on the water, getting Blue Mind”

Like many in the SUP world, Duncan and I are Instagram acquaintances. We’ve followed each other for a while and share a passion for SUP. Plus, apparently, 168 mutual accounts. When I relaunched this blog, Duncan messaged to tell me about a little paddle he had done on the Rhine. It turned out to be more than 1,000 kilometres down the entire river. But beyond the impressive stats, what struck me was how he described the feeling of paddling. That sense of freedom. Of going with the flow. All the stuff I think makes SUP so addictive.

Riverman Spirit

Water has always inspired myths and legends, beautiful and mysterious, but also dangerous. Duncan’s nickname, Flussmensch (“Riverman”), made me think of Loreley, the siren of German folklore who sat on a rock above the Rhine, luring sailors to their doom. Duncan’s story is not quite as dramatic, but there is certainly something magical about his deep connection to water.

From Skateboarding to SUP

Duncan’s first passion was skateboarding. He was a pro and co-founder of the UK brand Deathbox Skateboards back in the 80s. After 40 years on concrete, his body needed a break. On his 50th birthday, a friend took him paddleboarding. He wasn’t thrilled about facing forward instead of sideways, but it was love at first stroke.

Unusually, Duncan began SUP in whitewater. That, combined with the balance and agility from years of skateboarding, gave him confidence that translated easily to river touring. His first solo trip was on the Neckar, a Rhine tributary: 200 km over six days, with 24 locks.

And locks in Europe aren’t small. They’re designed for commercial traffic: up to 24 metres wide, 270 metres long, with lifts over 10 metres. Portages are long. Duncan swears by his trolley. Getting in and out of the water is still a pain, but after that, you just roll.

Blue Mind

Since then, Duncan has found himself drawn more and more to long river adventures. While he might cover 70 km a day, it’s more than chasing distance. It’s about spending time on the water, soaking up Blue Mind. Finding peace, the clarity that comes from paddling hour after hour, presence in the moment. On his paddleboard, Duncan exists in his own little cosmos, not dependent on others, free to go with the flow. That simplicity spills into life off the water, too. Paddling has massively reduced his stress.

The Rhine Source to Sea

In August 2024, Duncan completed his biggest trip yet: the full length of the Rhine, from Lake Constance to Rotterdam. That’s 1,068 km in 19 days, with 32 portages. Solo. Unsupported. The Rhine is no lazy river. It’s busy and unpredictable, filled with big ships, wind, wash and currents. You have to stay alert. An epic achievement.

Favourite Local Route

And Duncan’s favourite route? His go-to section is the 70-km stretch on the Rhine from Mannheim to Mainz. It is a comfortable day’s downstream paddle and easy to manage logistically thanks to the German train system. The landscape along the route is a bit of everything, contrasts of industry and nature. It’s familiar ground for him, but never boring.

One thing I forgot to ask Duncan: did he hear any singing at the Loreley rock at Sankt Goarshausen, the treacherous bend in the Rhine, where countless sailors have met their end?

Passing the Paddle

Flussmensch passes the paddle to the Wrong Team. Intriguing. Hopefully, I’ll be chatting with them before long. Make sure to subscribe below to get SUP Stories to your Inbox.