Prone – Moray Firth Challenge, Scotland

July 2024

Although this was my 3rd Moray Firth Challenge, it was the 1st where I didn’t already have a sighted guide. But after speaking to Douglas and the team, they suggested that I put a post on their Facebook page asking for volunteers. Within a couple of hours local sea kayaker, Graham Boyle, got in touch and very kindly took on the job.
This years’ route would be the same as last years’, Ardersier to Nairn, approximately 16.5km.
As usual, the race would have a staggered start, with paddleboarders, (6 SUPs and 1 prone – me), and slower touring kayaks going first at 11.30, then faster tourers and slower surf skis heading off at midday, and finally the speed demons in their fast surf skis departing at 12.30. (The goal being for everyone to arrive fairly close to each other at the other end.)
3, 2, 1, and we were off. With Graham guiding me from his yellow sea kayak, we made our way out from Ardersier, heading towards the 18th century Fort George, which sits on a headland sticking out into the Moray Firth. On this section there was still some tidal movement, so I got very wet, very quickly, which is one of the things I love about prone paddling. You’re right in the action!
However, once past the fort, it was a hard turn to my 3 o’clock, and from here it was a very flat long slog, (of around 14-15km), going down the coast to Nairn.
The forecast had been for almost no wind, light cloud, and an air temperature of 17 degrees. Not being a fan of the heat, (melting at anything over 15), my goal was to get the race done as quickly as possible, so I could get back in the cool, coooooool shade.
This all started well, completing 7.48km in my first hour. If I could keep that pace up, I’d be more than happy. However, as the temperature rose, my speed dropped.
I had my Marlin, (an audible device that monitors my speed), strapped to my head. During the first hour, I covered an average of 127m per minute. By 10km this average had dropped to 108m per minute, and it was to drop even further.
By 12km, I was really struggling with the heat, and was sweating so much that my suntan lotion was streaming down my face and stinging my eyes. Graham had been calling directions all the way along e.g. 11 o’clock, 1 o’clock, etc, but for just over 500m from 13k, I literally was paddling blind, as I had my eyes clenched closed, trying to reduce the stinging.
Another km in, and I told Graham I had to take a swim. I rolled off my board into the sea to bring my body temperature down, but the sea wasn’t cold. After dooking my head under the water several times, I climbed back up onto the board and started paddling again.
The last couple of kms are a bit of a blur, just counting my strokes and trying to keep moving. I hadn’t slept much the night before, and at one point, whilst lying prone and paddling, I felt myself start to fall asleep.
As well as directing me, Graham gave me a count down over the last couple of kms, and I was over joyed when he told me we were just a few hundred metres from the finish line.
Again, I counted my strokes, (30 prone, 30 kneeling), whilst my Marlin counted down the minutes.
I was determined to cross the finish line on my knees, (as opposed to lying down), but not being able to see the finish line and feeling completely drained, this was quite a challenge. But, I’m glad to say I did it, (with a time of 2:24:38, knocking just over 11 minutes off last years’ time).
Due to the heat, and lack of sleep, this was definitely one of the hardest paddles I’ve ever done, and it would have been much harder without Graham’s guidance, and the encouragement of other paddlers on the water.
The after event gathering, as always, was also great fun, with prize givings, (I came first – and last – as the solo prone paddleboarder), raffle, and BBQ.
It was great to catch up with some old friends and meet some new ones too.
Thanks so much to Graham for guiding me, and to Douglas and the team of volunteers who made the event possible!
Hopefully see you all again next year, but if somebody could do something about the temperature, that would be much appreciated!
Thanks also go to Sea Spirit Photography for the lion’s share of the photos, and Jane Burrows for my medal pic.
And last of all, to my wonderful wife, Rhona, who watched from the shore, (with my guide dog Molly), wishing she had entered. Next year Rho!?!