30 racers entered into his year's 25Km race from Argentat to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. The morning was overcast and with some light rain but it didn't dampen the excitement of the event! This year I had a racing board, a super RedPaddleCo 12'6 RACE inflatable board. I received it a month before the race and tried to get as much practice on it as possible before race day. It is much narrower than my recreational board so I needed to get comfortable on it!

Approaching the first bridge after Argentat

The start is always crazy! Everyone paddling like mad trying to get out ahead as fast as possible. I was keeping up with the front group for awhile before they started pulling away from me and I needed to get into my pace in order to make the full distance! I kept pushing hard, too hard sometimes which led to me falling off in several whitewater sections.

I was caught up to by No.23 Loic from Tours and we stayed neck and neck for the last 15Km or so of the race. He finished 18 seconds ahead of me!!

So the final part of the race was getting off on the beach and running to finish under the big green inflatable Correze arch! Smiling as I am so happy to have done it and I was thinking maybe I had made 3rd place???

A very happy but tired finisher! I asked the time keepers where I finished and yes I had managed 3rd place in the women's 12'6 inflatable board class!! I was met with a hug and thermos of hot chocolate by Tom who had flown home specially to see me race, nice.

Looking forward to next year's race. I know I have a lot to do to improve as the competitors are getting younger and younger and it will be harder to hang on to 3rd place!

Keep paddling!

Stand Up Paddle or SUP is my way of getting back onto the water as we are a bit too far away from the ocean here in Beaulieu. A love of water sports led me to try this and I took to it like a duck to water. I like the feel of standing on the board while paddling, sort of like surfing as you are standing on water-freedom. As you are standing you can see so much more not just all around you but into the water. I have seen several brown eels and various size fish. I enjoy paddling as each time I go out its a new adventure. My board is light weight and I can easily load it onto our Kangoo. The simplicity too is this sport does not require a lot of gear to hassle with. Just a board, leash, paddle and pfd is all you need to get paddling.

I chose an inflatable board after reading about all the different types on the market. Deflated it fits neatly into a specially made backpack that also has wheels in the base so you can travel with it. I am extremely pleased with my RedPaddle 10'8 Ride. I have used it on several lakes and now am staying local and paddling on the Dordogne River just a few minutes from home.

In Beaulieu easy water access is in front of the swimming pool or on the quayside. In summer the water is calm but of course there is a bit of current as it is a river! It is a nice paddle upstream to the first set of rapids as the river is lined with trees on both banks.

October 15 & 16 2016 is the Dordogne Paddle Race. It is the events 2nd year and I think the number of entries will be higher this year due to its popularity. I have entered the Open 8Km race so better stop typing and get paddling!

Early morning paddle after heavy rain the night before, peaceful.

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25Km Dordogne Stand Up Paddle Race 21 October 2017

Stand Up Paddle Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne

Beaulieu Apartments