Writer Nicola Baird loves paddleboarding – and credits it as a ‘incredible, meditative experience’

FOR those who are yet to try stand up paddleboarding (SUP) on the murky waters of Regent’s Canal, a new novel offers an insight into the joys of SUPing on Islington’s waterways.

Written by environmental campaigner and creator of the popular Islington Faces blog Nicola Baird, Not That Deep is the humorous tale of 54-year-old Laura, who – desperate to bring purpose back to her life – is vying to take over a canal paddleboard business.

When writing about Laura’s life on the canals, Ms Baird drew on her own experiences as an SUP instructor at Islington Boat Club and Camden’s Pirate Castle.

She said: “Last winter I was really missing being out on the water, so I decided to recreate the canal world with all its crazy characters and then ramp it up so it’s funny. The book gives a taste of what it’s like having a watery life, whether that’s running a cafe on the canal or trying out this strange sport which is basically balancing on an ironing board.”

The book launched in May at the King’s Cross book barge, Word on the Water, where the author gave a reading and guests ate cheese sticks in the shape of paddles.

Ms Baird took up paddleboarding in 2017, and this year she has been a ShePaddles ambassador for Paddle UK, aiming to reduce barriers to women’s participation in the sport.

“On the water you have this incredible, meditative experience,” said Ms Baird, who ran SUP taster sessions at last weekend’s Canal Festival and is pushing for paddleboarding to become an activity that is socially prescribed through the NHS.

She acknowledged that there is an element of “jeopardy” any time someone steps onto the board – around 1 in 20 of her clients fall in.

But despite all the crisp packets, disposable coffee cups and other algae-covered debris in the canals, they are perfectly safe, Ms Baird said, adding: “As long as you don’t drink too much of it and you wash your hands afterwards, you can just treat it like any other water.”