This week’s interview of a deserving paddler and guy that needs a little bit of celebrating and recognition was nominated by former guest Craig Jackson. Duncan chats all things paddling, expeditioning, being a dad, family, friendship, learning disabilities, autism, charity fundraising, mental health, the environment and more!
I hope you enjoy Clare Rutter’s Paddle People: An interview with… Duncan Liddell!
So who is Duncan Liddell and what’s your paddling backstory?
I’m a partner, dad and a recreational (totally addicted) paddle boarder mainly river touring, playing on any feature I can, WW and I’m a member of Chelmarsh SUP Club. I work for the NHS as a Keyworker for Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities and Autism. My paddling journey started when I lost my Dad at the age of 26, he left me some shares which I cashed and brought a little play boat and a huge 2 seat sit on top I called Bertha! After discovering I was pants in the play boat…me and Bertha clocked up many, many blissful hours on the water. Then I hit 40, and my first paddle boarding experience. It was birthday present from my dear friends Matt & Janie who brought me a SUP voucher for a place on the Severn near to Shrewsbury. I loved it, a year later I saved up enough money for a board and poor old Bertha hasn’t been out since, I was hooked to paddleboarding! From there it has snowballed starting with river touring and then after meeting some great people, being introduced to the dark arts of WW by my now good friend, Chris Cheale who taught me to play on any river feature you can and opened up a world of smiles. My little man, Len who is 8 has caught the bug too, and has now started paddling with me at Chelmarsh reservoir. Getting Len out has been amazing as he has ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition), he loves his time on the water and in it, to him the board makes the best portable dive platform ever! But for sure there my most favourite paddle days it’s heart warming to see him on the water.
What’s your contribution to or stamp on paddlesport? How or why do (or should!) we know you? If you were nominated by a previous guest or invited by myself, why do you think they or I nominated you?
I’m not sure that I should be here to be fair! I was nominated by top guy and paddler Craig Jackson. I’m no Brendon Prince or Cal Major who are just total legends for what they have achieved. But over the past couple years me and some good friends, Matt Potter, Will Worthington and Chris Cheale have used our love of paddle boarding to raise money for a couple of charities through two sponsored paddles with the 3rd in the planning stage for next year. The first one was a hundred mile paddle down the Severn from Welshpool to Worcester which we did for a fantastic charity called Snoezelen, based in Worcester. Snoezelen supports kids and adults with a wide range of disabilities, they have a purpose built centre with a hydro pool, sensory rooms and run music and art therapy. The work they do is just fantastic which I witnessed first hand when taking Len to their Sunday sessions, it such a warm place full of laughter, smiles and fun! Then earlier this year me Will and Chris paddled the Wye from Hay to Redbrook (80 miles), unfortunately Matt had broken his leg in a freak accident at Jackfield so he couldn’t make it. This was for a really special additional needs playgroup called Tumble Downs. The money we raised went towards some trips out for these amazing kids including a PGL activity weekend where they took part in climbing, a hugeeeeee zip wire and a host of other sports and activities. The plan for next years challenge is nearly sorted, I’ve managed to convince my long suffering partner Jackie to let me go for a week this time. So the aim is to average 25 miles a day over the week and I will be raising money and awareness for a couple of great causes one of which will be Tumble Downs again as they are very close to my heart.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not paddling?
Spending time with Len and my partner Jackie, especially trips to Wyre Forest.
Your worst habit?
Eating all Lens’ Haribo, sorry bud!
Your happiest or proudest moment of adulthood?
Becoming a Dad. The first time you hold your child is the most amazing feeling in the World!
Your biggest regret?
Not asking for help sooner.
Your favourite song?
Too many to mention. But top of my pre paddle playlist are Sweet Tides by Thievery Corporation and Sunrise by Orbital.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you were older?
A train driver, like my Grandad.
Your chosen craft/s and brand/s?
McConks Go Wild 9’8 & Two Bare Feet Sport Air 12’6. Currently saving for a new touring board, McConks 12’8″ – It’s a great board Duncan, you’ll have some fab adventures!
Tell us more about your local areas blue spaces and why we would want to go there.
I mainly paddle on the river Severn in Worcestershire and Shropshire and consider myself blessed to be only a 20 mins drive from this wonderful river. The Severn is amazing to paddle on, running through the picturesque countryside and historic towns and is pretty untamed until Stourport, it also packed with wildlife, including otter, kingfishers and Sand Martins. The river constantly changes it’s tempo from fast flowing sections, to a slow laid back flow and is packed with features to play on, with my favourites being the rapids at Jackfield and the seasonal rapids at Eyemore which are so much fun. The Severn just has this amazing energy to it, therapeutic and mesmerising.
I’m always dreaming about my next #clarerutterwherenextadventures, if you could paddle anywhere in the world, where would your #wherenextadventures be and why?
One of the big river systems in Canada or the USA, they look incredible, I love the idea of paddling through areas of true wilderness, it’s not something we really get in the UK. I watched Chased by the Midnight Sun last year, which is about a really extreme SUP race on the Yukon river……so I’m going to say a real wilderness adventure on the Yukon with a couple of good mates.
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!
Bill Bailey, he is one one of the funniest and interesting people out there and a keen paddleboarder to boot. Would have to be an overnighter though with a roaring campfire and Bill Bailey telling a few stories.
Most memorable paddle?
Len’s first paddle at Chelmarsh Reservoir. He really struggled during the lockdown last year like a lot of us, but being an autistic 7 year old at the time, it really hit him hard. So many of the clubs and activities he relied on weren’t able to open or run and as parents we could see him getting lower and lower and really withdrawing into himself. I asked on the Chelmarsh members FB page if it was ok to take him down and if people would be prepared to “buddy up” with us for support and the response was amazing. Within minutes I had so many offers and messages of support and even a loan of a board so he could have his own, it really was fantastic. Len loved that day and the smile he wore at the end will stay with me forever!
Your happiest or proudest moment in paddlesport?
Watching the kids from Tumble Downs additional needs playgroup having a whale of a time at the PGL activity centre this summer and knowing that money we raised from the sponsored paddle helped fund it.
Your silliest / funniest / unbelievable / strange/ bizarre / DOH! paddling faux pas or moment you’ve ever done, said or experienced?
Trying to look cool stepping off my board onto the river bank in front of a pub garden crowded with people and missing the river bank. A quick swim and a lot of applause from the pub garden followed.
Many people paddle to aid their mental health and wellbeing, what does paddling do for you and what does it mean to you?
I’m pretty open with the fact I suffer from PTSD and Depression, my journey through life has been pretty dark at times and I still wake up a few times a with night terrors that are a result of my PTSD. The effects from poor mental health are truly debilitating. One of my greatest saviours and therapies has been my love of paddling and the river Severn, it has helped me get through some really tough times and still does. The feeling I get when I’m on the river is just freedom from that mental anguish, it is like someone breathing hope and peace into my heart and mind and for me it’s the best medication I have ever taken. The energy the river gives off is incredible whether it is the sheer electric atmosphere of Jackfield rapids or the soothing paddle through the slower sections and stunning riverscape. It is just so mindful you are there in that moment and no other, it has such a positive effect on your wellbeing. The companionship too and the laughs you have with those you paddle with…..I’m a big, big fan of blue therapy!
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?
I think when you enjoy paddling on a blue space you want to help protect it because you care about it. I have spent a lot of time removing discarded fishing line and also email local MP’s about the shocking practice of raw sewage discharge into our water courses. We often by the river too, so as a family we regularly pick up discarded bottles and wrappers left behind by others.
What else do you do while paddling? Litterpicking? Fishing? Camping? Yoga? Etc.
I love a bit of SUP camping, you can’t beat a good expedition.
If you could restart your paddling journey, what would you keep or change and why?
I would have bought a paddleboard sooner!
What’s your top safety tip?
Be honest with your ability and paddle within your limits and always carry or wear the right safety gear and appropriate clothing for the environment you’re in.
Top general paddling tip?
Wear a big smile.
What do you pack in your dry bag?
First aid kit, food and sweets, drinks, knife, sunblock and spare clothing.
Favourite paddling gadget/item/must have lucky pants etc!
My OverBoard dry waist pouch.
Favourite paddling food/drink/snacks?
Got to be Moams sticks of joy.
Favourite websites/apps relating to paddlesport or your participation in it?
The River app, to check levels.
When paddling, what makes you laugh and what makes you sad?
I paddle with some great people and the banter we have always makes me chuckle. What makes me sad is how much sewage goes into water courses and that it seems to be getting worse and not better.
Anything else you’d like to add or any last words of wisdom?
Be kind to yourself and each other.
And finally, where can paddlers follow you? What’s your social media and weblinks etc?
No weblinks, just my personal Facebook account. I’m not really a prolific poster but I will definitely be bugging the hell out people from March next year to sponsor me for the next paddle challenge.
Thanks for being a wonderful guest Duncan! I look forward to the day when we can finally meet and I can have a taste of just some of your SUP adventures! Keep on paddling!
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.