The Green Paddle

When I look at the “polar bear” standing proud and tall over the needles, it is a view that will never feel the same as a few weeks earlier I embarked on a five-day solo circumference of the island, which saw me attempt the world’s first carbon neutral environmentally friendly expedition by stand-up paddle board. 

The mission was to attempt this world first by having all my equipment through to my food being ethically sourced, carbon neutral, environmentally friendly, preferably 100% recycled, recyclable or leaves no footprint.  

‘The Iceberg’ (ironically named), my paddle board was 100% recycled, every bit of material which ‘Conrad Manning Racing’ used to create this piece of genius engineering was found in a skip destined for landfill. The spine of board was made from a scaffolding plank, to help keep the board buoyant house insulation was placed around the board, wood from voting ballots was inserted between the insulation to keep them secure and all of this was wrapped in a discarded plastic sheet used to transport yachts off the water. To keep my equipment attached to my board anchoring points were put in place using melted down milk cartons. 

I wanted to work with brands who shared the same vision as myself and who were dedicated to the protection of our oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife as without any of these elements we would not have a place to call home. With that in mind I couldn’t think of a better charity to support than ‘Surfers Against Sewage’. 

One of the main brands I want to work with was ‘Craghoppers’ as they are brand that I admire but were also a great asset to this challenge keeping me warm, sheltered, and dry. I was extremely fortunate to be donated a compresslite eco insulated throw, Nosilife Eco sleeping bag, Trevelyan Eco Tent, a waterproof Atlas Jacket, and a Dynamic Hooded Half Zip Top. Each piece was worth its weight in gold. 

1st August 2022, Cowes week I commenced ‘The Great Green Paddle’ a journey of 100km on a board made of rubbish! Despite the long hours of training and all the preparation I put in place a wave of doubt hit me after stroke one, had I taken on too much? Paddling the Isle of Wight is no easy feat at the best of times but with what I was trying to achieve was a whole different ball game, I wanted to take 5 days to prove that I could survive on all this eco equipment and encourage others to think about their habits! 

As I left Cowes I put my head down and dug deep paddle after paddle heading to my first major obstacle ‘Hurst Castle,’ known for its deadly tides screaming through its narrow channel. However, what I did not expect was the fight to get me there. With a strong tidal flow behind me, against 20km winds this created steep breaking waves throwing me off the board at any given opportunity. Despite being attached to my board I was at the mercy of the tide hurtling through the shipping lanes and towards Yarmouth, the crossing point of the passenger ferry. 

Despite my best efforts, I had to take to my knees for my own safety making sure I kept my board under control and with two magnificent forces fighting against each my board flowed through the water and towards the dreaded Hurst Castle. 

With success I passed by Yarmouth, but a moment of panic came over me as the RNLI rescue boat shot out the harbour and in my direction. I knew I had everything under control but for a lay person, it may have looked like I was struggling. With much relief the boat sped on by and I paddled through the castle unscathed and came ashore at Colwell Bay where I intended to stay the night.  

I paddled further on day 1 than expected as the wind the following day was going to be turning up a notch and make it impassable by SUP so I wanted to get as close to the needles as I could. That evening I set up my eco tent, cooked up a green Thai curry from Tent Meals and watched the sun melt into water laid out in front creating a visual masterpiece in the sky.  

In the moment I was overcome with emotions, I had time to reflect how far I have come in life going from a former prisoner, to man holding 7 world records and now attempting a world first. My life has been transformed through adventure and the great outdoors and I knew I had a duty to protect the things that saved my life and failing The Great Green Paddle was not going to be an option, but despite the difficulties of day one I had no idea of what was yet to come. 

The following morning, I was up at the crack of dawn prepared to “thread the Needles”. As I paddled closer the sheer size of the cliffs running up to them were towering above me making me feel so insignificant and remote but there was no turning back and with each stroke the wind grew stronger, and I struggled to hold my nerve but with success I passed by and continued my journey along the Isle of Wight’s “wild west” coastline. 

I still had 5km of cliff front to pass and with the water rolling 4 foot all around me I could feel the unease sitting uncomfortably inside me. If anything was to go wrong, I had no safe evacuation point and would be at the mercy of the cliffs which were staring down at me like they have been for millions of years. I was at such awe with the power of nature that surrounded me. 

Eventually I passed by the cliffs and could relax ever so slightly as I paddled to my next destination and out of nowhere I was wiped out by a rough wave. Suddenly my fears and worries had all come true and to escalate the problem I felt something ping from my leash. As I resurfaced, I looked to the shoreline and I could see my board, equipment, everything I had hurtling towards the beach leaving me stranded 700 metres out. All I had was my buoyancy aid, my paddle and my radio around my neck.  

I was in trouble! This stetch of water is notoriously known for its rip tides, under currents and strong winds and with every ounce of my being I fought hard to swim back to shore and retrieve my board. As I dragged myself out of the water I was both shocked and disappointed, that on a busy beach during the summer not one person came to see if I was alright. It was clear that something had occurred and thankfully I was ok but now the challenge was in jeopardy! 

Fortunately for me, I was donated a leash by a local company to continue this challenge and after a good rest that evening tucked up in my Nosilife Eco sleeping bag I knew I had to put in a big slog if I was going to complete this challenge in time. 

The next day I took to the beach at Compton Bay with a good wind behind me, a strong tide, my spirts were high and I was an unstoppable force! Stroke after stroke I was cutting through the water with such ease and St Catherine’s point was fast approaching, an area of water I had not mentally prepared myself for. In the distance I

could see the white waters of 2 tides crashing in together and roar of water was like nothing I’ve ever heard, there was no way I was getting around this so through it I had to go. I straddled my board to get through the water and the under current was immense, without it there was no way I would be surviving this water.  After being spit out on the other side of St Catherine’s point the adrenaline was pumping throughout my body, that was by far the most petrifying thing I had ever done on the water and I felt so alive! This whole challenge had become such a bigger adventure then I had envisioned and I was embracing every moment of it. 

From here I headed to Bembridge with victory edging closer with each passing kilometre. The moment I came around Bembridge the wind changed direction and hit me like a bag of bricks. The leisurely ride I had since Compton Bay was now over and I was in for some seriously hard paddling to make Cowes and have a warm shower. 

The closer I got to Cowes the stronger the winds became, and I could feel myself getting wearier. I passed Ryde having paddled 57km and with 5km to go I had it in the bag, but the winds defeated me, and my window of opportunity closed as the tide had changed meaning I was done for the day. 

By now, I was hungry, tired, emotional, and as I pulled my board out of the water, I was dealt a final blow. My fin and mount had vanished, I did think something was not right with the board, but I put it down to the wind and tides. 

So, there I was, 5km short and my first ever incomplete adventure. It was disheartening, but I achieved what I set out to do, to raise awareness and money for charity and highlight the great work brands are doing to protect our environment. 

As my on-land support vehicle was electric it didn’t have enough power to come to my rescue I spent my final night on the beach. In a way this was a blessing because it gave me time to think and something adventure has taught me is that no matter what, always give your everything and until have tried your best only then can you take a step down.  

I had one more option…to walk through the water with the board attached to me and that is exactly what I did! I was not letting the Isle of Wight beat me, I was completing this challenge one way or another and for 5km I walked through chest deep water pulling my board behind me and stubbing my toes on what felt like every rock in the Solent. 

5 days from when I set off, I successfully completed the World’s first carbon neutral environmentally expedition and probably one of my proudest achievements. I learned a lot from this challenge and that it is possible to take a net zero approach to life. There are so many great companies such as Craghoppers doing great things but we as consumers are not aware of this, and it really doesn’t take much to make little changes to help protect our planet. With this said, all my challenges going forward are going to be net-zero, In a few I fly to Iceland to attempt my 8th world record in their longest lake and to offset my footprint from the flight I will be planting 100 tress within a prison to also help inspire growth, rehabilitation and connecting with nature.