Stand Up Paddle-Boarding on the Leri

I finally had the chance to take Morgan out for a Stand-up-Paddleboard session today. The conditions weren’t ideal as it was actually quite breezy, but we’d planned a session on the afternoon so that’s what we did. I went for an early morning swim, then did some work at home, followed by a mowing of the lawn and some work in the garden. We then had a quick lunch and popped up to inspect the bees. It was only a quick inspection though as it was quite cold and windy in the apiary so I didn’t want to keep the hive open for too long.

We then climbed into our wetsuits and headed down to the estuary. After slip-sliding our way across the mud flats we popped the SUP in the water. Morgan jumped on the front and sat on the deck there, while I stood behind him manning the paddle. We had planned to go up into the Leri as it’s quite a nice little route. We had timed it so that we’d have an incoming tide for a while, but the tide would turn and we’d have the tide with us on the way back as well. The wind however wasn’t quite so accommodating as it was a nice tailwind there, but would be an ever increasing headwind for the trip back. We therefore made good progress out around the sandback and into the channel and then off into the mouth of the Leri. We saw some curlew and lapwing on the mud flats as we glided past, and then and the sights of the boatyard and the various moored boats as we entered the River Leri, first under the road bridge and then under the railway bridge.

Once into the Leri we were sheltered from the wind a little and the water was fairly calm in places. To make things a little more interesting I was doing 100m easy, followed by 100m hard. Strangely though despite the extra efforts on the hard stints, our time for the 100m wasn’t any quicker. Slow and steady seems to be just as good as hard and strong -unless of course it’s a workout that you are after. With the wind and tide on our sides we were doing 100m in around 53 seconds.

After a while we turned around and started to head back, this time against the wind. Our 10m pace immediately dropped to around 1 min 30 secs but we were still making good progress. We stopped to chat and mess around here and there and  I asked Morgan to take some photos. This was all that seems to be on the camera though – not quite what I was after, but it’ll have to do.

Leri

Leri

Back under the bridges and then out into yet more wind. As we came out of the Leri we passed a few fisherman on the banks and even saw one of them catch a fish. We have still be unsuccessful with the fishing, but will have to try again soon. The wind was now increasing and as we turned west our of the Leri we were heading directly into it. The chop was getting bigger and progress slowed at time to a painful 2 mins 30 secs per 100m. We were still going in the direction we wanted though rather than backwards so we pushed on back to the beach where the car was parked. Morgan had a quick go and standing up and paddling, but he was quite cold by now and the wind wasn’t helping so we’ll save the proper SUPing for another day.

Not a bad way to spend an hour or so of a half term day. I had a bit of a workout and Morgan had fun too. I wonder where we can explore on the SUP next?

Once back at home it was time for a quick shower and then we waited for James and Cameron (Morgan’s friends) to arrive along with Anna so that I could jump on my bike and go for a quick bike ride while Anna cooked dinner. I didn’t get chance to see Anna though because as soon as I got home from my bike ride Anna and Morgan headed off to Aberystwyth for band practise… Busy Busy Busy!

6 Responses

  1. Avatar forComment Author Shem says:

    Glad you got wet at last Alan, we had a family SUP sesh this evening as well. First time all 4 of us went paddle boarding together and it was great. Nicely sheltered over at Smugglers Cove as well. Do you know what fish they had caught?
    Well have to go for a paddle soon.

  2. Avatar forComment Author Shem says:

    Will try to remember, although I tend to be a bit forgetful and just et excited when I see good conditions, 😀

    • Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

      Yeah, I know what you mean – when the condition are right you just have to grab the opportunity. Mind you, it makes a change to be looking out for light winds or no wind rather than 25 knots or more! It’s just so nice gliding along on mirror flat water with no wind. More of a workout into the wind though!. 🙂

  3. Avatar forComment Author Shem says:

    …are you taking part in the Aberdyfi Tri by the way? Im covering the swim on my SUP if you fancy joining me?

    • Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

      I’m not ‘doing it’, but I quite often get talked into doing the swim section for someone as part of a relay. If not then I will help out on a SUP for some extra safety coverage… Kev had already asked me, so he knows that I can be available.

      Al.

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.