The North Channel: more than a paddle
JUST A FEW DAYS AGO, Samantha Rutt became the first woman to cross the North Channel, a notorious stretch of water from Northern Ireland to Scotland, where the waters from two oceans merge to create unique conditions to paddle and navigate – Sam did it in style, with a new (unofficial) Guinness World Record of 5 hrs and 3 minutes – in this candid interview with PL Crew Sarah Thornely, she talks about what makes her tick on the water and off:
“I feel like it is my home. It’s the only place where I feel like me and safe.”
Sam - can you let us know what your ‘water’ history is and how you got involved in SUP?
The first time I stood on a SUP, well more kneeling and falling in rather than standing, was way back in 2015 in Portugal. It was a crazy windy day and our boards blew off down the beach so it wasn’t the best introduction to the sport and I didn’t try it again until a year later. I'd always surfed and loved the ocean so when I injured my neck, getting back onto the water and into the waves just didn’t ever seem possible and I was pretty depressed as I loved being in or on the ocean. I gave SUP a second try and well as they say, the rest is history – like many others, I was well and truly hooked.
Can you try and describe why you love ocean paddling so much?
I’m sorry if this sounds cheesy but I feel like it is my home. It’s the only place where I feel like me and safe. Growing up, I had a pretty tough childhood which is not something I talk about a lot because it doesn’t define me, but domestic violence and abuse were part of my day-to-day life and the only place I had as a sanctuary was my local river. I would take myself off and just listen to the noise of the water on the rocks. Then in my 20’s, I started surfing and the love for the ocean just took over - the sense of self I get when I am around it is hard to put into words – even as I sit here at Cley Beach, writing this!
You clearly love a challenge - have there been other SUP challenges that you have set yourself?
There are some I have been successful at and others that I really didn’t enjoy. My first challenge was to be the first woman to sup the Wash unsupported and I loved every moment of that. Then I was due to paddle the English Channel, there and back, but due to permissions and then Covid it didn’t happen. So, I took myself off to Scotland with the big idea to SUP the east coast and I discovered I just didn’t like getting out there each day! I realised that I love a point-to-point paddle. I am so glad I tried it though, as I wouldn’t have found out what I did and didn’t like - I did about 70km from John O’Groats but when you're waiting on good weather conditions that’s a whole different type of tough for me, so I came back to Norfolk and ran and supped from the Norfolk border to the Suffolk border in 2021.
Why did you decide to attempt the North Channel?
I read an article about James Fletcher who had prone paddle boarded across the North Channel, so I reached out to him and then started researching and found out that only one other person had crossed from Northern Ireland to Scotland via the North Channel. I had needed another challenge after France was postponed and this seemed like the most obvious choice and as it was a point to point on the ocean, it would be perfect for me.
Can you tell us how you trained for this and how did the Paddle Logger App help you?
Although I’m a Race and Performance Coach, coaching yourself is pretty hard so I had the legendary expertise of Mr Larry Cain in my corner. Being accountable is so important, so I had been training with him from last year. I absolutely love using the Paddle Logger App. In fact, I could not have done this challenge without it and more specifically the PaddleLive feature. When training over winter, I had to push the conditions I was going out in and it meant that having this feature was quite literally, a life saver, and also helped with logistics. Going out on my own knowing that my husband could see exactly where I was helped me feel safe on the water. Information is fed back in real time but also being able to set timers and having the flare option if things do get tricky is so valuable, I think every paddler should be using it. It also massively helped with logistics when fuelling, my husband was able to track and meet me with new hydration packs at the time I needed them - often you have to wait to get to a specific point but with PaddleLive he could meet me at timed intervals ensuring I got the fuel I needed. It's also great if you breakdown in your car and don’t know where you are (yep, that really did happen!)
What were the key features that made this challenge work for you?
The obvious one was the weather - I was so fortunate, because the North Channel never quite gives it you easy and the storms leading up to the challenge were pretty hairy. We crossed on the ferry to Northern Ireland in 40 knot winds. What is happening in Northern Ireland and Scotland can massively differ to the centre of the channel and it can be really unpredictable. I also could not have done this challenge without my 23’ inch Starboard Allstar.
Were you feeling confident about this challenge or did you suffer with some anxiety?
“You will never regret trying something”
From a fitness point of view, I’d never felt stronger or more ready but from an emotional point of view, no. I massively struggled with anxiety in the lead up which meant little sleep and not eating as well as I should for a challenge like this. PTSD can cause your body’s fight or flight response to kick in which means your sympathetic nervous system is in charge. When you need to rest and recover, you really need your parasympathetic nervous system to be in charge as this deals with rest and digestion - mine was nowhere to be found!
Then came the multiple questions of the great unknown; can I – can't I, what will it be like, will I get stung by jelly fish or eaten by sharks, will I have a panic attack in the middle! That all went through my head in the lead up to it.
Can you talk us through the day, from how you were feeling, to logistics for the trip.
It kind of started the night before, as I knew I had to be up at 3:15 am to get to Donaghadee for 4:15 am, so I tried to get to bed at 7 pm but of course sleep just didn’t happen. I was still awake until 10 pm then awake from 1 am feeling very anxious about not being able to sleep – whose brain does that!! Once I was up and had my mojo coffee, I was ok and funnily enough from this point, my head was in the game. We headed to the harbour where we were briefed. It was great to finally meet Jacqueline from Infinity who organised the boat support for the crossing. I meet the crew, Kieran and Barry, the two most warm, cheeky chaps you could meet and then we had to get ready for a 5 am start. I was sharing this crossing with Mark Walton who had his own support boat, so we both waited in the harbour for the ‘go’. We wished each other well - this was Mark’s second crossing and he wanted to beat his last time. We had the shout of ‘GO’ and off we went. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the conditions were, the sun so low in the sky and the water looked amazing, then I pretty much zoned out in my own little world on the ocean smiling.
The next thing I remember was being told we were in the channel and the water had changed quite a bit with side swell coming in both directions, not choppy water but the strangest experience. Every now and then a swell would catch my tail and I would wobble - I did fall in twice just missing the huge lion's mane jelly fish but I was so hot it was a welcome relief. When I fell in, I realised how strong the current was as I was pulled quickly south. Once I was on the water all the nerves, anxiety and panic melted away and my mind just went to this wonderfully peaceful place.
It must have been incredible to reach Scotland - how did you feel when you ‘touched-down’?
Amazing! I had so much left in the tank I was able to put the paddle down and just go. I could feel the lump in my throat as I reached out and touched the slippery, wet rock at Port Patrick then shouted ‘what was my time’? ‘5 hrs 3 mins’ came the reply and I shouted back ‘f**k off!’ - not very lady like, but I was in complete disbelief that I'd made it across so quickly. Then the tears ran down my face as I paddled into the beach.
Who were the key people who made this challenge a possibility?
Gosh, where to start. First, Iain McCarthy of SUP Hub NI - he was beyond amazing in his support. He held the current world record and was one of my biggest cheerleaders and support going into this. Starboard SUP for the kit and a big shout to Sups Life (Andy Holland) - he gave me his personal board as a backup just in case.
I think I have mentioned a lot above but there are a few others like Tailwind UK - I use their products and love them. London Nootropics whose coffee got me through some tough training sessions minus the caffeine jitters and shakes - I am so sensitive to caffeine! April Zilg’s ‘The Athlete Agenda’ - using a journal made a huge difference to focusing on my challenge. Black Project SUP for the HydroFlowX paddle - not a single ache the day after but the biggest shout has to go to my amazing husband - he is just beyond supportive, cheering me on, filming, fuelling, being there when I am crying, anxious and never giving up on me!
Do you think it made a difference to you knowing that people were able to track you live on the Paddle Logger App?
Absolutely loved it! Hearing messages shouted out from the support boat as we went along was awesome and knowing you’re being tracked pushes you that little bit more. I know from personal experience of watching others paddlers via a tracker how exciting it is, so to have people join me on my adventure was priceless.
Can you let us know more about your emotions during this trip?
I had said that the 1st of July was a symbolic date for me and I knew that this would be the date that everything would come together. Sadly a few years ago we said goodbye to Steve’s Mum Ellen on this date. She was and always will be a woman who inspires me beyond words - she battled breast cancer for 34 years and never complained, always thought of others first and loved me unconditionally. If I ever feel tired or hurt, I remember that what I am experiencing is temporary and that I can stop if it gets too much. When you're living with cancer, you don’t have that option, so I will never complain things are hard and this challenge was for her!
What would you say to anyone on the brink of deciding to attempt their own challenge - any inspiration?
DO IT!!!! Honestly you will never regret trying something and don’t just see your challenge as something like this one. It can be anything, micro adventures are so much fun! Grab your friends, pick a route and go for it. Fear holds so many of us back, fear of failure, fear of what people think, fear of not getting it right. Don’t let fear define you, face it head on! I do every single day - I can't tell you how many ways my brain told me I was going to die (bit dramatic but my reality) but I didn’t. So, what if I ‘failed’? What is failure anyway other than an opportunity to learn to do something differently. Life is full of adventures big or small, so please do go and find yours!
WOW Sam, thank you so much for your honesty and great insight to your wonderful adventure – we look forward to seeing that GWR confirmed and to hearing about your new challenges, big or small because as you have said, that’s what it is all about – Happy Paddling!
