NEW YEAR'S PADDLEUTIONS

I’ve never really engaged with the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I have always believed that if you want to change something or push yourself, you probably shouldn’t wait until January. Or perhaps I have always made the wrong sort of New Year’s Resolutions: trying to lose weight when I don’t really want to, going to the gym more (an activity that I loath). 

So this year, I thought I would make some New Year’s Paddleutions based around things I really want to do, rather than things that I feel I ought to do.

I have compiled this list of suggestions in case you fancy doing the same:

This year's resolution was to paddle in Norway... That was easily met ;-)

Complete   your   rivers   A-Z

I have never tried this myself, as I didn’t want my paddling to become a sort of tick list, although I can see the obvious benefits using your list as an excuse for going on expensive holidays. The phrase, “but I need to paddle the Zambezi” could work.

Do   something out   of   your   comfort   zone

This one should probably be accompanied by a disclaimer and a health warning. I’m not saying go mental and do something outrageously dangerous, simply get your adrenaline pumping a bit. This will mean different things to different people but could include: paddling for longer, paddling harder or faster, competing, going higher or even paddling with new people. 

My first race on the Rio Palguin

Dirtbagging in Voss

Spend   at   least   a   week   without   your   phone

This is surprisingly difficult given that we increasingly rely on technology to arrange our paddling adventures but you’d be surprised at the spontaneous fun you can have by camping next to your favourite river and leaving your technology behind. Dirtbag it for a while.

Learn   a   new   stroke   or   move

It doesn’t matter which discipline you are keen on or how good you are, there will always be something to improve on or something new to learn. 

And   teach   it   to   someone   else

You supposedly learn 20% of what you hear, 50% of what you hear and see, and 90% of what you teach. Coaching can be really rewarding both for you and for the people you paddle with.

Do   a   course

This one isn’t for everyone, but I can thoroughly recommend booking onto a course or getting some coaching. It’s always worth brushing up on those first aid or safety and rescue skills or getting a different perspective on a skill or technique you are trying to improve upon.

Blog   or   log

Again, this isn’t for everyone, but I have found it really rewarding using my website as a paddling diary this year. I am constantly reminded of what an amazing year I have had, and how fortunate I am to have spent it doing incredible things in incredible places with incredible people.


So there you are, a range of New Year’s Paddleutions for you. When you choose your own, make sure you personalize it, truly care about it, and want to put the time and effort into achieving it. I may well have lost weight since January 2014 but I don’t know, and frankly, I couldn’t care less. Don't let your Paddleutions follow this all-too-common pattern.

Finally, don’t get disheartened if you fail. I always enjoyed Samuel Beckett’s quote, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better.” Perhaps you miss your time frame or your resolution is unrealistic, keep working at it. In the meantime, look back at all of the other amazing adventures you have had that year. You’ll probably find that you haven’t really failed, you’ve just been too busy fulfilling your other dreams.  

It's been a great 2014. Wishing you all a happy and paddle-filled New Year!

Thank you so much to Wave Sport Kayaks, Adventure Technology Paddles, Canoe and Kayak Store, Paddlers First, and Surf Plugs for your support this year.