Northern paddlers are SUP for a Great challenge

Stand up paddle board riders take on 96km Great Glen ultra-race for RNLI

A trio of paddlers from the north of England are rising to the challenge to complete a 96km stand up paddle board race to support The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Northumberland paddlers Anna Little of Wylam and Claire Watson-Armstrong from Bamburgh and Daniel Godridge, Catterick Garrison will be taking part in the ultra-race which bisects Scotland from Fort William to Inverness, crossing three lochs including the infamous Loch Ness along the way.

Anna, 48, a fitness and wellbeing expert, is competing the event non-stop on a tandem board with Daniel, said: “It’s an epic challenge that will test us physically and mentally. From Fort William to Inverness, we’ll be endeavouring to cover the route as quickly as possible.

“We chose to support the RNLI as they are a charity so close to our hearts. The RNLI relies entirely on support to fund lifesaving at sea and on the water. We spend so much time training and paddling in the sea, rivers and water systems that we felt the RNLI was very appropriate to support.

“We’ll be thinking of their amazing work when the paddling gets tough, which will help us dig in and complete the challenge.”

Daniel, 50, a Outdoor activities coach from Catterick Garrison said: “Its amazing the work that the RNLI does every day to save lives throughout the UK. The popularity of water sports has been huge especially in paddle boarding. RNLI have been at the forefront of increasing the awareness of water safety of paddlers during the last few years as many people venture out onto the sea. The RNLI has continued to help educate and of course save lives of those that get into trouble out on the water. It's a privilege to help raise much needed funds so they can continue to deliver a vital volunteer service”

Public relations consultant Claire Watson-Armstrong, 45, will be completing the race over two days, paddling solo.

She said: “I am excited but nervous for the Great Glen – but I love a challenge, which I am sure this is going to be. At 34km long, Loch Ness alone is further to paddle than crossing from Dover to Calais, but I will be giving it my all. I just hope Nessie is kind to us and brings us good weather – I might slip a nip of whisky into the Loch Ness to keep her settled!”

The RNLI has a special connection for Claire, whose family owns Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.

She said: “The first ever known lifeboat was launched at Bamburgh in 1786 by Dr John Sharp, a trustee of the castle during the 18th century for the Crewe Trustees. The castle also served as the first lifeboat station in history. It has an incredible history of helping to save lives at sea and if I can add to this - in a very small way - it makes me very proud to do so.

Claire said: “I have grown up living by the sea and have paddled and swam in the waters off the Northumberland coast most of my life. I have the utmost respect for the brave RNLI volunteers who risk their own lives to save others. When I start to feel tired or overwhelmed by the race, I’ll be inspired to pick myself up, think positively and keep paddling.”

The trio have had global support in their preparations for the race which begins at the famous Neptune’s Staircase on Saturday September 18th.

Stand up paddle board legend and coach, Maui-based Suzie Cooney has been providing online mentoring and training for Claire via Zoom while Canadian gold medal canoeist and SUP rider Larry Cain has been working with Anna.

Anna and Daniel expect to complete the paddle in 12 hours, while Claire will be paddling around seven hours a day.

You can donate to Anna, Claire and Daniel’s Great Glen Challenge here.