SUP Adventures Beyond the Lakes: From the River Wye to the Norwegian Fjords

Paddleboarding has taken me far beyond the calm lakes where I teach SUP Yoga. Over the years, I’ve explored wild rivers, island coastlines and even Norwegian fjords by board. Each journey has been a reminder that paddleboarding isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of travelling, connecting with nature and testing your own resilience.

Here are some of the highlights of my SUP adventures, and why I believe time on the water changes us.

1. The 100-Mile River Wye Journey

One of my first big trips was paddling the River Wye, tracing its bends and currents for over 100 miles. It was a lesson in rhythm, how to keep moving when the miles felt long, and how to pause to notice the kingfishers and quiet stretches along the way.

2. Croatia: Paddle and Sail

The Croatian islands were a dream, turquoise water, hidden coves and evenings on deck watching the sun sink into the Adriatic. Paddleboarding there wasn’t just about distance, but about exploring slowly, from the waterline up, and discovering places you’d never reach by road.

3. Norwegian Fjords: Wild and Humbling

Nothing prepares you for paddling between towering cliffs, with waterfalls crashing into the sea around you. The fjords remind you of scale, of how small you are, how powerful nature is, and how grounding it feels to move gently through that vastness on a board.

4. Lessons From the Water

Every SUP journey has taught me something:

• Patience and rhythm on the River Wye.

• Joy and playfulness in Croatia.

• Humility and awe in Norway.

And at the heart of each adventure is the same thing: water’s ability to restore, challenge and inspire.

5. From Adventures to Everyday SUP Yoga

You don’t have to paddle 100 miles or cross seas to feel these benefits. Even an hour on a lake with a SUP Yoga practice can bring the same mix of focus, play and connection. Big adventures remind me why I love teaching, because every wobble, laugh and breath on the board is a step into resilience.

Ready for Your Own SUP Adventure?

If you’d like to experience SUP Yoga in the Cotswolds or join one of my future trips, I’d love to welcome you onto the water.

How Time in Nature Reduces Stress: The Science Behind Yoga Outdoors

We all know the feeling of relief when we step outside. A deep breath of fresh air, the sound of leaves moving, the light changing across the water. It’s as if the body knows what the mind sometimes forgets: time in nature changes us.

But this isn’t just intuition — there’s science to back it up. Studies have shown that spending time in natural environments can lower stress, improve mood, and even boost the immune system. Combine this with yoga, and the benefits multiply.

Here’s what the research tells us about how nature and yoga work together to reduce stress and support wellbeing.

1. Lower Cortisol, Lower Stress

Cortisol is one of the body’s main stress hormones. High levels over time leave us feeling anxious, tense, and depleted. Research shows that just 20 minutes in a natural environment can significantly reduce cortisol levels. Practising yoga outdoors magnifies this effect with movement, breath, and the calming presence of nature working together.

2. Improved Mood and Reduced Anxiety

Spending time in nature increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, the brain’s “feel good” chemicals. Yoga does the same. A simple outdoor flow can lift mood, ease anxiety, and leave you feeling calmer and more grounded than a studio practice alone.

3. Boosted Immune Function

Studies in Japan on “forest bathing” (shinrin-yoku) show that time spent outdoors increases natural killer (NK) cells, a key part of our immune defence. Add mindful movement and deep breathing from yoga, and you’re strengthening the body’s resilience on multiple levels.

4. Mental Clarity and Focus

Mental fatigue builds up when our brains are overloaded with information, screens, and noise. Nature offers “soft fascination”, gentle, effortless attention that restores the mind. Practising yoga by water or in green space helps reset focus, leaving us clearer and more creative afterwards.

5. A Sense of Connection

Yoga means “union,” and practising outside reminds us of that connection, to ourselves, to the elements, and to the wider world. This deeper sense of belonging is shown to increase feelings of wellbeing and reduce loneliness.

Why It Matters

In a world where stress is constant, making time to be outdoors isn’t just a luxury, it’s essential. Combining yoga with time in nature offers a simple, powerful way to regulate stress, restore balance, and build resilience.

Try It for Yourself

Next time you roll out your mat, take it outside. Notice the difference when you breathe with the rhythm of nature. And if you’d like to experience this with guidance, I teach SUP Yoga and outdoor yoga in the Cotswolds, where water, movement and nature come together.