A Beautiful Wild Sup around Torbay, Devon
We met Leigh earlier this year at a GBSUP competition and asked her to share one of her favourite paddles around the beautiful area of South Devon.
I started paddle boarding a couple of years ago to get some headspace from being a busy working mum and got completely hooked. I found not only headspace but adventure, nature, fitness and friends. I'm so lucky to paddle in the beautiful Torbay area of Devon because conditions are generally favourable for paddling and there is so much coastline to explore. I'd like to share one of my favourite routes with you...
Start at Meadfoot (free parking on the adjacent road) and paddle to Torre Abbey Sands and back. The total return journey is about 6km so a very 'doable' paddle with tons of coastal features to see along the way and the option to pause at Torre Abbey for refreshments or just to hang out at Soak beachside cafe and watersport centre https://soaklifestyle.co.uk/
As soon as you 'turn right' from meadfoot beach, you leave people behind; it's just you, the cliffs and the sea (with an occasional seal and dolphin). You can explore some of Torbay's most impressive geological features such as Daddyhole Plain (where legend says the Devil lived in a limestone cave) and the famous natural arch named London Bridge. Paddling through the arch is a 'rite of passage' for local paddlers.
You also get to experience a range of conditions on this route. Torbay is well known for its sheltered position and calm waters but as this route takes you around a small headland you do notice how the protection from the wind changes. You can experience pockets of pan flat water and areas of what I affectionately call 'washing machine conditions' on the same paddle which all adds to the interest.
It is necessary to cross the harbour to get to Torre Abbey Sands so take sensible precautions and be aware of other water users.
If you have enough energy when you return to Meadfoot, paddle past your starting point and on towards Thatchers Rock, named because it looks like a thatcher is climbing it to lay a straw roof. There is an abundance of seabirds and marine life to admire here, but be aware this is where tidal flow does start to come into play.
