The Great Glen Paddle Challenge 2024 – The ‘Wrong’ Way Round

A benefit of being retired is that you can take as long as you need to recover……or wonder why you entered in the first place. A good friend asked whether I should be doing this at my age! 

You can aways opt for the ultra, straight through in one push. Hats off to Paul Simmons for winning; the BaySup team and all those that completed it. I decided on the 2-day course, it was challenging enough. 

As it is a downwind event, this year we did the route in reverse, Inverness to Fort William, to take advantage of the forecast for N/NE winds.

Day 1 the long one 48k  

Assembling at Inverness for a 7.15 start, a cool grey sky. A shortish canal section and a couple of quick limbo paddles under bridges put us in reach of Loch Ness, with the finish point somewhere at the other end, only 35km away. You can’t see it, but you know it’s up there! Leaving the security of the flat water the fun really starts, the wind funnels and swirls, and the fetch increases to a decent downwind paddle, increasing the further you travel. The Loch has its fair share of boat traffic, they send out a delayed wake to keep you on your toes. I spotted one coming in and turned to face into it, only to be stopped dead by its power. I very nearly went over the front of the board, it served to keep my concentration on high alert for the remainder of the section.

Loch Ness is a serious paddle, for a starter it is cold. You need to concentrate as there is no respite from the conditions and it remained cool. Where was the sun? Shore landings are few and escape routes even rarer. So brain in gear I plodded on, and on, and on…..the hours merged until the end was finally in site. Now the question becomes which side should I be on, left or right? Approx 3k to go and the water begins to change significantly, I sensed a sting in the tail and I wasn’t disappointed!

The long fetch producing a readable wave had nowhere to go, so it begins to rebound. Closer in, a strong river flow adds to the mix, as a final twist was about to unleash. The Loch Ness cruisers reverse out of the canal and swing around to begin their journey. This results in a huge water displacement, with waves coming at different angles, to meet the downwind waves. The result is chaotic with bumps and breakers everywhere, and with a much stronger wind propelling you into the mix, just when you are feeling the most tired.

Relieved to have stayed upright and to have reached the end, I swung into the canal and found a free pontoon to exit. A final sting as my board was blown under the pontoon and met with the steel support, only one winner there! A cracked board and after much swearing I went to look for Liz, my wife and shoreside support.

I didn’t know it, but at the time she was having her own epic adventure. Our van had broken down and she was marooned in a layby on the A82. Having both set off to Inverness much earlier that morning, Liz finally arrived back to our accommodation at 7.30pm that evening, along with a relayed van. I think Liz had the harder day by far…..

Thanks to Jason for looking after my board and to Vanessa for the kind offer of transport for the end of day 2.

Day 2 the short one – 44k

Another grey, early start, again a canal section with a few portages thrown in to warm us up. Loch Oich came and went and a nice relaxed paddle up to the 17km of Loch Lochy. Again the wind was picking up and very quickly the flat water changed into downwind conditions. All good so far. I couldn’t remember which side of Lochy we exited, I chose left. A basic error as it was on the right [insert – race management realised there was an exit issue and sent someone up in hi-vis to signal the paddlers in]. With cramping calves, I set out to cut across the chop, not a pretty option and I soon took a swim. More cursing ensued, I needed to get another top on fast. I always use the maxim ‘dress for the swim and you won’t be disappointed when it happens….’ And I had failed to follow it, so elected to get ashore and sort myself out…..

As I exited Loch Lochy the lock-keeper shouted ‘be aware there’s a large vessel coming up’. A few smaller boats hurtled past producing nice surf wakes, but feeling tired by now I bypassed the play option, not wanting to end up in the trees. The larger vessel came round a bend, and it was more than large. More like a cruiser, it was easily the height of a normal house and those on the top deck looked a long way up. It didn’t leave much room to the side either. No room for error for the skipper or for us!

A final portage that seemed to go on for ever at Gairlochy. 10km to go.  Vanessa informed me that my van had been fixed and that Liz would be at the end, great news to really lift the spirits. The sun came out, the autumnal colours on the canal section were stunning and I set off for the final section. Away in the far distance I spotted another lone paddler, I thought about it and set off in pursuit…..

A final burst around a bend and the finish bell could be heard some distance away. It’s a great feeling, the sense of achievement having completed the 2 days, and finishing with a cloudless Ben Nevis as the stunning backdrop was a real bonus.

Summary

Extremely well organised, this event provides a true element of adventure, with a level of uncertainty of outcome. It meshes together the security of the canal sections, the motivation and support at the checkpoints, with the more extreme isolation and challenge of Lochs Ness and Loch Lochy. It requires skill, endurance and commitment. What really stands out is the camaraderie of all those involved, on and off the water, and this sums up the SUP spirit. The final evening prizegiving and meal really exemplifies this.

Huge thanks to Emma and the team for the organisation. Great stuff team!

Would I recommend it? Absolutely, but don’t underestimate the scale of the challenge. Do your prep and make sure you can enjoy it too. Go for it.

And now, a couple of days later, thoughts begin to formulate for next year and what would I do differently…..

Dates for your 2025 diary:
Friday 19th September – Non Stop ULTRA
Fri/Sat 19/20th September – 2 day Race

Scan the QR code below to register your interest for 2025.