It still feels unreal to say this, but I wrote a book. I was commissioned by Bloomsbury to write a guidebook on my favourite topic: paddleboarding in London.
My book is called Paddle London and it covers 40 routes in and around Greater London. Most routes are public-transport friendly, because that’s how I paddle 99% of the time, but I’ve also included parking details and all the London-specific quirks that come with driving here.
The whole project began with the thought of writing the book I always wished I had when planning my own paddle adventures.
What’s in the book
Plenty.
Each route comes with a summary of practical information for choosing where to paddle:
- Launch and exit points
- Distance, portages and difficulty
- Waterway info, incl. licence requirements
- Public transport and parking
There’s also a comprehensive safety and planning section covering kit, clothing, how to prepare and my favourite hacks for packing for those one-way paddles where you carry everything on your board.
I’ve included a lot of extra touches to help you enjoy the the paddle: waterside pubs and cafés, good spots to warm up and use a loo, snippets of local history, curious facts and of course, wildlife. You get a map and photos for every route.
The routes vary from short and sweet, perfect for beginners or after-work paddles, to a full day on the water. A few extend just beyond Greater London for a change of scenery.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know how much I love urban paddling. London’s waterways are endlessly surprising, peaceful in some sections, hectic in others and full of stories if you know where to look. My hope is that Paddle London helps more people discover this side of the city.
A decade of paddling in London inspired this book and two years of researching, writing, paddling some more, photographing, mapping and working with Bloomsbury brought it to life. I’m so happy and perhaps a bit nervous to finally share it.
Pre-order Paddle London
If you’d like to support the book, pre-orders really help and mean so much. I would also appreciate if you could spread the word with anyone who loves paddling, London or a bit of both:
Happy London Paddling!
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