Ode to PaddleCrawl

Many months planning.
Many meetings had.
To get to the start line was a real pain in the ass!

5 months of prep time.
3 months of training.
Would that be enough?
Who cares? Let’s get on and try it!

165 miles from Bristol, it was
To London: our destination, our homes and relaxation.
Our journey fraught with many challenges,
Not to mention: locks, Devizes, illness and capsizes.

The river was long and winding.
It felt like London was never arriving.
We battled against the wind, rain and changing terrain;
Finding some hidden gems along the way:
              islands, inlets and sunsets we did;
Little presents to reward us for the miles that slid.

​The repetitive motion of paddling this air-filled beast;
Was beginning to take affect on our bodies towards the end of the week:
              Blisters, chaffing, cuts and bruises.
A little discomfort for the pleasure to do this.

It wasn’t much longer until London was in sight.
An urban metropolis with lights so bright.
The river was wider with more and more traffic,
               slowing us down as we got excited.
It wouldn’t be long until we met Putney Bridge.
The final destination of this 9-day trip.

With a mile to go, the finish line in sight.
We grouped together and held our paddles up high.
The journey was finished.
The challenge complete.
We deflated our boards and put them to sleep.
​
Marcus Samperi / Feb 2017 

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