It was early one sunny morning that a solo paddle boarder landed in the Gazzle’s old lifeboat slip, and carried his SUP up to Newquay Activity Centre.Â
Cornish lifeguard turned professional writer and photographer, Matthew Button was tackling the 300 mile length of the Cornish Coastline on a stand-up paddleboard, from Saltash to Bude whilst wild camping and foraging along the way. After a 5am start out from Holywell Bay to get to Newquay, Matt was ready for a rest and Boardmasters was just getting started.Â
Matt joined us towards the end of his paddle, having already forged his way via the viper’s teeth of the Lizard and made it round land’s End just before the first of our summer storms hit. This coastline has wrecked armadas, destroyed lives and created myths and legends; so one man tackling this alone on a stand up paddle board with just his maps and an IPod was something we thought was bonkers, but very impressive.Â
Timing had been tight, but by the time he reached our centre the sun was out and he’d beaten the wind’s change of direction. Matt stored his gear at our site, ready for a 5am start the next morning on his way to Constantine.Â
The days following his visit were tough with difficult swells and weather conditions, but eventually Matt made it to Bude, completing his paddle in under 4 weeks. Huge congratulations from us all at the Newquay Activity Centre!
For further info on Matt, take a look here
Â
Some Facts & Figures!
- Total distance (minus repaddling in the wind): 219 miles
- Fastest section – Marazion to Holywell Bay: 60 miles in 3 days
- Longest day: Penryn to Cadgwith
- Biggest swell: 6-8 ft
- Strongest winds:Â 11m/s -21 knots (gusts of 18m/s – 34 knots)
- Number of days actually paddled: 13
- Number of days with a head wind: 12!!!
- Number of sun fish: 12
- Number of dolphins: 7
- Number of mackerel eaten: too many
- Number of instant noodles consumed: never speak to me of instant noodles again! Ever!
