Coffee Break with Nick Judd: Go With The Flow
Discover why the Thames is a great spot for a paddle and how to get in to SUP racing…
Q. so nick, who are you and what do you do?
I’m Nick Judd, founder of Go With The Flo Paddleboarding Adventures. I’m one of two main instructors, alongside Claire Terry, running paddleboard lessons, tours and more. I run the sessions, do the social media, the accounts, respond to emails… a jack of all trades (and... insert your own gag here)!
Q. how did you start your journey to becoming a paddleboard instructor?
I’m a sports journalist by trade. I set up my own publishing agency in 2012 and have been working as an editor since I left university in 2000. However, I came to the conclusion that there’s more to life than sitting behind a screen, so I set up Go With The Flo in 2016, initially as a side gig in an effort to spend one day a week away from my laptop, outside, and meeting people. The idea was to run small group sessions and introduce people to the sport that I’d fallen in love with. I first paddled in 2013, and I was hooked instantly. In 2017, I was doing more than one day a week, and so juggling my other work with paddleboard sessions, and in 2019 I was getting to the point where I had a bit of a decision to make in terms of which business I prioritised.
Then along came COVID...
The pandemic decimated my other business to begin with, so in 2020 I was free to paddleboard full time, and as soon as we were allowed to operate in groups of 6, that’s exactly what I did. People were desperate to get outside, and many had the time and the money to focus on their health, and paddleboarding was one of the sports to really benefit. 2020 was insane. I was doing 5-6 group sessions a day, every day, and when I took on a freelancer we were both full time. We were selling about 10 boards a week. It was incredible. So, from 2020, GWTF went from a side hustle to a main hustle, and in 2021 we moved to Henley from Wargrave, to our current home at The Eyot Centre, which has changing facilities, a car park, and a stunning view and launch point right next to the bridge in Henley. Now, we continue to navigate our way through this ever-changing landscape.
Q. what people can expect when they paddleboard with you?
Many people take their first steps into paddleboarding with us, and so we do whatever we can to make that first experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. The experience is everything. We run lessons on the river in Henley, but we also offer tours (both locally and with away days to new places), races, clean ups… our goal remains to get as many people trying paddleboarding as possible. Both Claire and I are keen racers, so naturally we also try and introduce people to the world of SUP events. That’s our passion, and this year we’re hoping to help as many young paddle boarders to try and push themselves too. There’s so much to SUP, so we try and do what we can to help people get the most out of the sport, whatever their ambitions.
Q: Can you share your favorite sup spots? Maybe one local and one a little further away?
I’m probably biased, but I believe the Wagrave-Marlow stretch of the Thames is the nicest bit. We spent five years in Wargrave and it never gets boring. There are a couple of backwaters which are beautiful, and great fun to explore. The houses, the scenery, we’re just very lucky to have it on our doorstep. I’ve paddled in some beautiful spots, including Iceland, Australia, Greece, Italy… but Cornwall remains a firm favourite. The Gannel at Crantock just blows my mind every time, while I will spend the rest of my days exploring the various coves and inlets. The Mudeford/Christchurch is another favourite area.
fancy a nice paddle along the thames or want to get in to sup racing?
Get in touch with Nick via the Buccaneer Sessions app to book a session with Go With The Flo or to chat all things SUP.
