A Perfectly Imperfect Adventure – Red Spirit at the Trent100

For anyone who doesn’t know, the Trent100 is a team challenge (not a race) where it’s your team against the river. Day 1 navigates the shallower, overgrown and fast-flowing waters upstream, only for Day 2 to bring an arguably tougher challenge with your body having been through 57km as the river widens, the flow drops, and you’re forced to dig deep and show the river what you’ve got to make it to the 100km mark. The challenge isn’t only a test of teamwork and resilience, it’s a true testament to the diversity and excitement offered by our inland waterways. 

I started my SUP journey on the River Thames: a COVID SUP starter, I purchased a pretty paddleboard affectionately named ‘Paddlelope’ and took to the Thames with little experience. In time I realised the value and importance of paddling safely – so took a lesson, which spontaneously led me to paddle most of the non-tidal Thames from Oxford to Teddington. This unplanned adventure lit a fire that inspired me to paddle from Land’s End to John o’ Groats as one half of a duo known as ‘SUP it and Sea’. It was also my time on the Thames that would later lead me to join the Red Spirit team for the Trent100, as it was on this paddle that I met Mike Smith (a.k.a. SUP-Planet Earth), and it was he who introduced me to the amazing Red team.

For me personally, the journey to the Trent100 was one of nerves and elation. I am a firm believer in the fact that you don’t have to be superhuman to have an adventure. I’m not the most technical or best paddleboarder, so to be joining an accomplished team including Dave Haze (a.k.a. Nomadic Paddler – a multi-world record holder and high-altitude paddler), Chris MacDonald (a young, accomplished SUP racer and whitewater paddler) as well as Patrick Cruywagen (a renowned overland and paddleboard adventurer) well, the pressure was on. However, from the first meeting with Red, it became apparent that they would be our biggest champions, truly caring about the team. They considered and celebrated our individuality. This ethos carried through as they worked with us to ensure we had kit that made each of us comfortable.

When it came to boards, Dave would rock his Red 11'0" Compact ultra-lightweight board designed to help you paddle in hard to access locations, whilst Chris would paddle his 12'6" Elite raceboard. The rest of us opted for Red’s 14'0" Sport+ tourer. Despite using a 10'6" inflatable on the Thames I was used to a 14' hardboard for long distances – and I wanted the superior glide for this challenge. I was also very pleasantly surprised to try Red’s technical Performance T-Shirt and SUP Buoyancy Aid, both of which I was initially concerned about... 

As a plus-sized paddler I am used to discovering that an XL is actually a women’s UK 14, but I was pleased to find that Red’s XL fits me at a size 20 and that their PFD not only fitted but various adjustments actually made it comfortable to wear for my training paddles. Comfort is key when undertaking a challenge – and it was clear that Red’s clothing genuinely delivered what they promoted and embodied inclusiveness on the water.

When it came to hitting the water as a team, I don’t think any of us got what we had bargained for – and I’m not just talking about Day 1’s glorious or ridiculously hot weather, depending how you look at it. Starting out that day we were all in high spirits and the banter between us was already growing. It turns out that we were a group of both very down-to-earth humble beings and the biggest show-offs. As we took to the water we encountered the expected fast-flowing water, tight bends and the odd obstacle to trip us off our boards. At each section of fast-flowing water, one of us would shout to Chris who would make up a totally unbelievable grade of rapid we were about to paddle because – as he mentioned once or twice – Chris liked to paddle whitewater. 

The banter between us about each other’s experience would continue throughout the challenge. In fact, I think Nomadic Paddler earned himself another world record that weekend for the most time the sentence “I have a world record” was uttered. Unfortunately, for me Day 1 of the challenge would be reminiscent of my rarely mentioned Land’s End to John o’ Groats paddle – not because it was the first day of an epic adventure, but because I proceeded to be sick several times within the first 13km. Sadly, due to conditions on the day and rising temperatures it was decided for safety that I would not be able to return to the water that day. The team were so supportive. I had expected them to feel let down, frustrated and annoyed – and I was deflated leaving the water – but my expectations couldn’t have been further from the truth. The Red Spirit team went on to smash the rest of the day and I am told it was a day full of banter, “rapids”, and helping each other through the long hot day. When they arrived back at base after completing Day 1 with Chris showing off his skills and step-back turns it was clear that this was a team full of encouragement, support and fun. We were a team both on and off the water. 

The same vibe continued into Day 2 as I rallied, determined to smash out the second day, while Mike was sadly taken ill, so we became a tag team. Heading for the water I didn’t have the doubts of the previous day, as we were the true definition of a team. So with ‘The Cap’ (as Patrick affectionately became known) making sure we were all hydrated, eating and looking after ourselves, Day 2 was a blast. We hit the water in high spirits and the banter was immediate as was the pace – which was as high as the vibes. The music was playing, and the team even endured Rammstein as I head-banged my way down the river. What made it even more special was that as we paddled and switched positions back and forth, we chatted. We had all reached this point and found our love of paddleboarding from very different places in our lives – we each had our own tales of highs and lows, but we shared this sport, and all spoke of the unparalleled sense of community and support found within SUP. These thoughts echoed back at us as we reached the various checkpoints cheered on by the amazing volunteers, Sarah ‘SUP Junkie’ Thornley who embodies the ethos of the SUP community and also the Red team who were always in high spirits. After the final checkpoint the competitive nature within all of us kicked in – yes, we know it’s not a race, but we were on track to finish the day first and that was a challenge we were all raring to go for, so we pushed on at around 7kmph. As we neared the centre of Nottingham each one of us dropped to our knees, refuelled and without talking rose again, we were so in tune with each other. We went on to “WOOP” and “YEE-HA” our way down the final few kilometres, putting everything we had into those remaining minutes, so much so that we almost missed the finish. On that day we completed 43km in 6 hours, 19 minutes – and we were ecstatic.

As is often the case with challenges, they won’t always go as you expect, but it’s how you deal with those setbacks that makes the difference. As cheesy as it sounds, Red Spirit was the perfect name for our team because it was determination, a lot of bad singing, banter, and the belief that good times will come after the bad times – especially when you’re supported by good people who celebrate and support each other. That got us, or at least me, through the challenge. We weren’t the only tale of overcoming adversity in the Trent100; there were people handing over boards to help someone with a broken board, and others who helped source kit to allow people to fulfil their dream of taking on the Trent100. It is also an ethos that is supported by Red, with their focus on upgrading adventure.

The Trent100 is just one example of taking on a new adventure. To many, a new adventure can be daunting, and I’m no stranger to self-doubt. But as I say, “just try”. Whether you’re upgrading from paddling canals to rivers, from day trips to packing your overnight kit and paddling for several days, or perhaps you want to try racing or whitewater SUP? Whatever upgrading your adventure means to you, just know you have a whole community out there supporting you. It won’t be perfect, but I can promise you the imperfections will make it all worth it. And for those of you looking to literally upgrade your adventures with a new board, paddle or accessories then why not attend a Red event or visit a Red Try Before You Buy Retailer. You may come away with a whole new SUP passion as well. 

I hope one day to see all of your imperfect adventures – don’t forget to share them with team Red via their social media platforms. Maybe it will be your post that will inspire someone else to upgrade their next adventure?

Photo credits: Mark Pichersgill