When Nature Has Other Plans: Embracing Flexibility in Outdoor Sports

Yesterday (16 May), we made the decision to postpone our SUP Clean-Up event scheduled for today, Saturday 17 May. The forecast predicted windy conditions building throughout the afternoon, followed by stronger southerly winds and rain on Sunday. Despite the sunny start to this morning, we know that we've had a lot of rain that affects the water quality in the lake and can now feel that southerly breeze picking up, confirming our call was the right one.

Weather Awareness in Water Sports

As paddleboarders, we need to respect water conditions. Making the call to postpone wasn't easy with equipment prepared. But experienced paddlers understand that reading environmental conditions is crucial for safety.

Weather awareness for water sports means:

• Understanding how rain and wind affect water conditions

• Recognising that forecasts can change rapidly

• Adjusting plans based on actual conditions

For our SUP Clean-Up, even moderate winds create challenging paddling conditions, especially for less experienced participants. Struggling against wind not only reduces our effectiveness in collecting debris but also increases risk.

Finding Balance with Nature

There's a practical lesson in these postponements. When we align our activities with natural conditions rather than fighting against them, we're safer and more effective.

This approach isn't unique to paddleboarding—it applies to all outdoor sports. Climbers watch weather windows, trail runners adjust routes for heat, and cyclists modify plans for wind direction. It's not about giving up; it's about making smart decisions.

Looking Forward

We don't have a rescheduled date yet for our SUP Clean-Up, but we're monitoring conditions and will announce the new date soon. This temporary delay doesn't change our commitment to cleaning our waterways.

Because ultimately, that's what this work is about: protecting the places we enjoy. By postponing due to weather, we're demonstrating the same respect for nature that drives our clean-up efforts in the first place.

Stay tuned for our rescheduled date. The water's not going anywhere—and neither is our commitment to keeping it clean.