Anu Aladin is a highly experienced paddleboard instructor and writer based in South West London. With more than a decade of paddling experience across the capital, she says she has spent countless hours discovering London’s waterways, sharing her adventures on My SUP Stories and encouraging others to discover how accessible paddling can be in London.

Anu Aladin 

I’m Anu and I live in Richmond. Back in 2010, I was on a beach in Hawaii when I saw a middle-aged guy carrying what looked like a giant surfboard and a paddle. He stepped onto the water, stood up and paddled out like it was the most natural thing in the world. Graceful glide. I was mesmerised.

It took another year before I got to try SUP for myself, on a beginner’s lesson in Falmouth with Sean White (check out his venture Soak in Torquay). My legs were shaking, I kept falling off, but by the end of the session, I stood up. And just like that, I was hooked. Why? I’m still figuring that out.

Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of hobbies. I’m one of those people who dive in deep, then just… move on. But SUP stuck. I’m glad it did. It’s brought me everyday adventures and a brilliant group of paddle friends.

In a personal article written for Ordnance Survey Maps, Anu describes how stand up paddleboarding helped her through her most difficult times:

"Surprising as it may sound, hopping onto my paddleboard anywhere in London brings me an almost immediate sense of calm. I get up to standing, find my balance and feel the water moving under my board. Everything quietens down. The city is still there. Trains rumble over bridges, people move along towpaths and embankments, traffic hums somewhere in the background, but it all fades away. What I notice instead is the steady rhythm of paddling: the soft glide of the board through the water, the paddle dipping in and lifting out again. My breathing deepens. My shoulders drop. With each stroke, worries and doubts begin to melt away. Even time shifts slightly. I’m no longer in a hurry. I’m simply here, present in a way that rarely happens on land. Perhaps this is what meditation feels like to people who can sit still."

Paddle London - the book

Paddle London is described as 'The definitive guide to exploring the rivers, canals, docks and reservoirs of London under paddle power', and the editor goes on to say that 'paddling in London offers a paddle experience like no other, combining a connection to nature with the vibrant energy of the city's architecture, culture and art.

Elsewhere, it is stated "Paddle London invites you to see the capital from the water. A practical and inspiring guide to exploring in and around London, it features 40 urban and rural routes across the Thames, canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, combining clear maps, photos and essential guidance with history, wildlife and public transport–friendly access."

The book is a lovely one to hold, with those oversized bendable covers enabling you to both save your page, and shove the book in your backpack without creasing it. And gloss pages throughout which make it more practical for handling near water! Open it, and it is jam-packed with lovely photographs and maps, and text split into very readable paragraphs. Appealing, not daunting.

Once inside, the book contains 40 routes along the London Canals, the River Thames and a few other waterways including the Basingstoke and the Wey Navigations. Each route is graded according to difficulty, with four different levels offering a wide scope from beginner routes to those with a great deal of experience behind them. Starts and finishing points for each route are linked with car parks, and public transport, so you can readily plan your experience.

Everything, it seems, has been carefully researched, and there is a whole section on safety, navigation rules, what you need to take with you, what to wear, and where you can get a licence when you need one. The routes are described in detail, with things you should be aware of, plus wildlife to watch out for, and any local features of interest are pointed out and their history given.

So even if you are not a paddleboarder, the book is of interest. Walkers and cyclists might benefit, and even those passing through London on narrowboats could be interested in specific routes. Especially as good drinking and eating places are also noted.

There is the usual challenge that would come from our readers: why is it London based, like everything else. But the answer is, this is also a guide for those who wish to take up paddle boarding in any part of the country. And there are links to online groups and those paddleboarders who share their stories and their passion with people. You could always research your own routes and share with Anu. Then she might be inspired to write another book!