Saying YES more

A good adventure can start long before you get your boots on and get out of your front door. In fact these days it can often start whilst you're sat at your computer or staring at your smartphone. That is certainly the case for this next adventure of mine!

I've mentioned before an inspirational chap by the name of Dave Cornthwaite, he's done a few adventurous things of his own, nothing too special, just the odd 3618 mile skateboard journey from Perth to Brisbane and a 2404 mile Stand Up Paddleboard journey down the Mississippi to name but two! 

You can read all about his other great adventures here: http://www.davecornthwaite.com

Anyway, on top of all of his adventures, Dave has founded #SayYesMore, in his words it's all about "creating moments, embracing adventure, living simply, squeezing the juice out of life with three simple words. Say Yes More!"

So, when I got the invitation on Facebook to take part in a Stand Up Paddleboard lesson with Dave, there was only one word I could say.... I said a big YES! Having read a couple of Dave's books and followed his adventures on his website I was keen to have a go at Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP as it;s known, and this looked like the perfect opportunity,

The fact it was going to be on a British river in November was not going to put me off. I even managed to convince my wife Nina that it would be a nice thing to do together. Nina is not a big fan of getting cold!

Well, we both said YES, and what an adventure we had. An early morning drive from Oxfordshire down to the river Avon, 5 miles from Bath and we met Tristan Bawn on the river bank all ready with his SUP school and guest instructor Dave. Tristan runs Adventure SUP, a Bristol based SUP School, and he had invited Dave to come and lead a beginners lesson as part of Dave's current 50 Ways to make £50 project.

Once we'd got our wetsuits and boutancy aids on it was time to get going. Tristan and Dave gave us all a safety briefing, and talked us through the basics of what we'd be learning, and then we did a quick river bank warm up before heading onto the river.

Within minutes we were all starting to get the hang of the basic paddle strokes required to move safely about the river, firstly staying on our knees on the boards. Within 15 minutes we were all standing up and paddling up river. Brilliant! I never thought we'd be paddling so confidently so quickly, but with expert guidance from Dave and Tristan we were up and off in no time.

Up river we worked on more paddling techniques including different sorts of turns, and I got a chance to practice my 'self rescue' after a couple of dunkings into the river!

2 hours seemed to pass by really quickly, including the race which I'm proud to say I won! Only paddling against the other beginners though. At the end of the session I felt at home on teh SUP and was paddling amd turning with confidence. It's safe to say I have been well and truly won over by the experience and I can't wait to do it again.

This experience would not have happened if I had not said YES. Dave really is onto something with his #SayYesMore mantra. Since I stared saying yes more I've been happier, more enthusiastic about life and I've met some brilliant people. None of this would have happened from the comfort os my sofa! So, one simple piece of advice..... Say Yes More!