I first met Craig on Instagram as one of my followers of my regular volunteer, leisure and working paddlesport updates. Craig has family where I’m based and there was no doubt that our crazy busy schedules would meet locally at some point! The day came in the height of summer this year that we’d planned an evening SUP trip up the River Teifi from Cardigan. Unfortunately, my sandals had broken a few days before and I resorted to using sliders. Forgetting there was a slight portage en route was one of my own doh! paddling moments and yes, you’ve probably guessed it, my sliders kept coming off my feet in the process and floating down river! Hero Craig was amazing at dashing after my sliders each time and this will forever remain one of my firm funny paddling moments! One of those sudden outbursts of laughter moments where people look at you and say “what are you laughing at?!”. Since then I’ve had another couple of great paddles with Craig where he’s taken me on a couple of tours on the River Severn but with my Palm Gradients firmly attached to my feet! I now class Craig as one of my great mates and hopefully many more paddles with him lay ahead! We are also united with our voluntary work with Seaful connecting people to our waterways and oceans.
I hope you enjoy Clare Rutter’s Paddle People: An interview with… Craig Jackson!
So who is Craig Jackson and what’s your paddling backstory?
I’m a husband, a daddy and I’m currently a serving operational Fire Officer. I am also known as SUP Shropshire or as we are known now, SUP Shropshire Adventure Guiding. In 2017 a friend of mine suggested that we enter a SUP, Bike, Run event for a bit of fun. I ran and I biked but never had I paddle boarded. Anyway, we entered the event and prior to the race we had a taster session to SUP. The event quickly came round and SUP was the first discipline of the course. As we left the sheltered bay we were hit by a head wind of about 18mph, I dropped to my knees and dug deep. I must admit, I wasn’t blown away by my first experience of paddle boarding. Later that year we were at my wifes family holiday home in Wales and I was keen to be out on the water, I just couldn’t decide what craft. If I go for a canoe, then my wife Emily and son Edward can join me. If I go for a SUP then it’s basically solo or Edward can join me. The practicality of an iSUP made sense, so I invested in my first paddleboard. Since then, I have become a Water Skills Academy Foundation SUP Coach and also an Adventure Guide.
What’s your board/s of choice?
I use my McConks Go Wild for guiding as it’s a large platform to easily move around and it’s also my white water plaything. I also own a Red Paddle Co. Voyager 13.2 for my ocean paddles and also if I intend to paddle upstream or longer journeys. A paddle of choice would also be a good question. Mine would be I’m on the look out if anyone would like to sponsor me 😂
What’s your contribution to or stamp on paddlesport? How or why do (or should!) we know you?
Wow what a question! I only do what I feel is right. I am passionate about safety, protecting our blue spaces and mental wellbeing. I started my business SUP Shropshire Adventure Guiding to educate and help people to access our rivers safely. I would like to think that my contribution to paddlesport is creating safer paddleboarders and hopefully saving a life through prevention.
Tell us more about your local areas blue spaces and why we would want to go there
Where do I start! The river Severn in Shropshire is an absolute gem! You can paddle through the town of Shrewsbury and stop for food and drinks in the quarry or you can head downstream and paddle through some of the most beautiful Shropshire countryside spotting otters, kingfisher, herons and much more. You can even start in the stunning market town of Bridgnorth and follow the famous Severn Valley Steam Railway and take a journey back by steam.
I’m always dreaming about my next #clarerutterwherenextadventures, if you could paddle anywhere in the world, where would your #wherenextadventures be and why?
We have so many beautiful spots in the UK that I am yet to explore. I love the look of the Fjords in Norway yet the lochs and coast of Scotland look equally appetising. So, I think it would have to be Scotland.
If you could paddle with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Living or not, past or present, paddler/non-paddler…there are no rules here!
My first answer would always be my son Edward and wife Emily. Next would have to be anyone that needs to find paddling. What I mean by that is if there is anyone out there struggling with life and needs to find that connection with water for mental wellness then I’d like to paddle with them.
Most memorable paddle?
Every paddle is memorable in its own right and each week my answer would change. My most recent top paddles have been paddling with dolphins in New Quay and my first otter encounter on my local river.
Your proudest moment in paddlesport?
Supporting and launching the first charity Vitamin Sea, Seaful experiences at Chelmarsh Sailing Club. During this event we invited 30 children from an inner city school. our aim was to help them find a connection with our blue spaces to promote stewardship but to also recognise the mental health benefits of being in and around water. During one of the sessions one of the children was extremely frightened to enter the water. I worked closely with him to gradually build his confidence, as he slipped into the water his eyes lit up and his expression was of pure joy and excitement. The connection was visible in his face and its a memory that will last with me for a very long time.
I was fortunate enough to join Cal Major on part of her journey through Shropshire on the River Severn paddling source to sea raising awareness of plastic pollution. Through this meeting I have found a dear friend and been blessed with supporting Seaful and I am proud to have been asked to be an Ambassador for the charity.
Your silliest/funniest/unbelievable/strange/bizarre/DOH! paddling faux pas or moment you’ve ever done, said or experienced?
It was probably the moment I met Andrew McConkey and his family on the beach in Wales. I am a big fan of Andy and everything he and his family does for paddleboarding from being sustainable to safety messages, including issuing a quick release belt with every board. Anyway, I digress. As I walked past Andy and is family, I stopped to introduce myself and for some reason decided to throw in that I was wearing a pair of his sunglasses like a geeky teen fan. I have since stayed in touch with Andy and his beautiful family.
Many people paddle to aid their mental health and wellbeing, what does paddling do for you and what does it mean to you?
Paddling for me keeps me grounded. Four years ago I moved into a new role at work, I was checking email before and after work and not switching off. I started to have stomach cramps and skin issues on my hands. I was seriously worried and went for blood tests. Whilst driving into work I was listening to a radio interview and the lady described my symptoms. I was waiting for the C word and then she said it was burn out. She went on to describe her home life of checking email and responding at all hours. I knew then that something had to change.
When I paddle, all my worries and anxieties fall to the bottom of the lake/river and disappear. I take deep breaths, relax and it feels that nothing else matters but being alive. We talk about work life balance but we also need a life/mental wellness balance, because sometimes our busy life can get in the way of us looking after ourselves.
Looking after the environment and playing our part as paddlers towards clean, healthy, thriving and beautiful blue spaces is really important to me, would you say that this is high on your agenda and, if so, why and how do you play a part yourself?
Indeed it does, our blue spaces look after our mental wellbeing so let’s make sure we look after them. Our oceans provide over 50% of our oxygen, our streams and rivers feed our oceans which means that no matter how far inland you are, we are all connected to our oceans. I often litter pick in my local area but had never considered putting a bucket on my board and doing it on our waterways until I saw Cal Major’s work. Since then, I arrange local litter picks and will always litter pick where possible. Our actions maybe small but they all make a difference and I am now working on reducing our plastic use as a family.
What lessons has paddling taught you?
To look after myself and give my head the space it needs to recover and repair.
What would be your advice to people thinking about getting into paddling, new paddlers and/or those with experience?
Have a lesson. I won’t lie, I did the typical bloke thing and thought, I don’t need a lesson, I can do this. I wasted a couple of years thinking I could paddle and it wasn’t until I took my SUP coaching badges that I really started to progress. A lesson with a good coach will save you years of learning but also keep you safe.
If you could restart your paddling journey, what would you keep or change and why?
I would have invested in a better board and paddle. I fell into the trap of buying cheap just in case I didn’t like it. The problem with a budget board is that not only are they not sustainable but also the build quality isn’t great. This means that your first experience could be an unpleasant one as budget boards do have a lot of flex if you are of a heavier build. The paddle is the most important part of paddleboarding and if you have what is basically a heavy scaffold pole, you wont get the best out of it.
What’s your top safety tip?
Wear a buoyancy aid, wear the right leash and carry a mobile phone on your person.
Top general paddling tip?
Stack the hands to help keep you going in a straight line. Keep that top hand directly over the bottom one. Vertical paddle shaft.
What do you pack in your dry bag?
Depends on wheter I am guiding or on a leisurely paddle. Basics are, first aid kit, emergency shelter, puncture repair kit, spare clothing layers for the what ifs. Spare fin and leash, sun hat, woolly hat and sun cream.
Favourite paddling food/drink/snacks?
Hot chocolate and flap jacks.
Favourite websites/apps relating to paddlesport or your participation in it?
Paddle Logger keeping me safe whilst out on the water
When paddling, what makes you laugh and what makes you sad?
Paddling with friends and sharing stories can result in laughter. What makes me sad is the pollution that our rivers face from sewage being pumped directly into them.
Who inspires you and why?
This is a hard one, I have so many inspirational people to name and I’ve been fortunate to paddle with most of them.
1. Cal Major for inspiring me to do more on my local river and within my community to reduce plastic pollution.
2. Jo Moseley for inspiring me to take my passion to promote safe paddlebaording to the next level.
3. Caroline Dawson (SUP Lass) for inspiring me to be the best I can be and use those leadership skills.
4. Brendon Prince for raising awareness of water safety.
5. Clare Rutter for showing that no matter what barriers come along, we can overcome them and progress. (Aww thanks Craig!)
What’s your hope for the future of paddlesport?
For it to continue to be accessible to all.
Any last words of wisdom?
We are a community of paddlers, we are likeminded people sharing beautiful spaces. Be kind, be safe and paddle as much as possible.
And finally, where can paddlers follow you?
Instagram and Facebook @sup_shropshireAdventureGuiding
Website- www.supshropshire.com
Thanks Craig! Great chatting with you! See you on the water!
If you are or know someone who would be ideal to be interviewed for Clare Rutter’s Paddle People: An Interview with… please send a brief and the best way of getting in touch to email@clarerutter.com.