About
The Paddle Skedaddle is 26.5km (16.5miles), a MONSTER 53km Ultra or a novice friendly 7km point to point race for SLS Prone paddlers - a fun, beautiful and watery-joy for Stand Up (SUP), Prone and Seated paddlers alike…!
With a course that winds it’s way along the well known three rivers that make up the majority of the northern broads network, taking in some of the most iconic areas and features of the Norfolk Broads.
The event is totally unique in it’s a ‘point to point’ or ‘out & back’ nature, and the only race of it’s type in the UK.
The route starts at Sutton Staithe Hotel and first covers the still and quiet tree-lined backwaters of the River Ant which after a couple of miles of paddling leads on to the first big expanse of water which is Barton Broad, so if it’s a tad breezy here hold on to your hats..!
Then you’ll cruise through the chocolate box waterside village of Irstead and on to How Hill, under Ludham Bridge, and then on to the River Bure and past the hugely historic and 1,000 year old St Benets Abby. You’ll then steam on past the only white painted water wind pump of Thurne Mill on the River Thurne, and then on to Potter Heigham where you’ll have to duck under the medieval stone bridge (which of course this is haunted…!).
The last part of the course is different this year..!
For those that have done the Skedaddle in previous years, they’ll know what to expect when it comes to the finish - however, for this year it’s different…!
After passing through Potter Heigham Bridge you’ll paddle a further 1.6km (1 mile) before this time taking a ‘hard left’ (yes, it’s an additional left turn..3 in total now) and then it’s the last 5km (3 miles) following the river which first widens out across what is known as ‘Heigham Sound’ - and then the finale….the crossing of the stunning Hickling Broad..!
If Hickling is playing nice, then you’ll have the most beautiful finish across the biggest of all the Norfolk Broads - however, if she’s playing nasty - then it could be a case of hang on to your hats, paddles and anything else you want to keep with you as when she’s angry, she can be Very Very Naughty…!
