A Cwmbran‑based paddleboard club has taken members on a “once in a lifetime” adventure to explore the famous canals of Venice – all on their boards.
Steve Hedley, who runs Black Crow Paddleboarding, offers sessions for new and experienced paddleboarders to build confidence and improve their skills on local waters, including Llandegfedd Lake.
He decided to give members the chance to take their paddling further by organising a trip to Venice in Italy and the lakes and fast‑flowing rivers of Slovenia.
Steve said: “Slovenia is a stunning country and all set up for watersports. The River Soča is one of the best kayaking and white‑water rafting rivers in the world, plus there are many beautiful lakes. Lake Bled is hugely famous and we paddled that as well.”
He explained that special licences are needed to paddle around Venice.
“It’s a once‑in‑a‑lifetime place to paddle. Fifteen of us travelled over. The weather was beautiful, the scenery incredible and the people so friendly and helpful.
“We stayed in some stunning hotels and most of the group stayed for an extra few days to be tourists in Venice.”
‘Comfort zones’
Steve praised the group for pushing themselves “out of their comfort zones to do things they never thought they would”.
He added: “You don’t have to be an expert paddleboarder to come on these trips. Anyone interested can easily learn with just one lesson with us to be good enough to do it.”
Black Crow Paddleboarding now has plans to visit Gran Canaria in October and the River Kwai in Thailand over New Year.