Drifting and Droning: A Perfect Evening Escape

 An Evening SUP Session and a Touch of Drone Flying

After what felt like a long wait, I finally got out on my paddle board for the first time this year. We've been having some lovely evenings lately, but i've been busy, so I decided to make the most of one free one after work.

I took out my 2017 Red Paddle Co Sport SUP. Where I live, I’m lucky to be roughly the same distance from both the beach and a local river. While the sea is usually my preference, the tide was out and I wasn’t in the mood for a long walk down a stony beach—so the river won. It’s hard to beat the convenience of parking just a few meters from the water's edge.

Setting Up and Taking Off

While the electric pump did the hard work inflating the board (no shame in letting tech save your arms), I took the opportunity to send my DJI Neo drone up for a quick flight. The low evening sun cast a warm, golden glow over the landscape, really bringing out the textures and colors—perfect for some photography.

Location: Cuckmere meanders

The curves in the river

A lone paddler

Spot me?

Once the board was fully inflated, I brought the drone back in and hit the water.

Thoughts on Flying Over Water

I did consider taking the Neo with me on the board, but without a waterproof bag—and knowing the drone's somewhat sketchy behavior over water—I decided against it. The Neo tends to lose its bearings over reflective surfaces and in fog, thanks to its unreliable ground sensors. I’ve experienced this firsthand, and I’d rather not have to fish it out of a river.

On the Water

As always, being out on the water was a fantastic experience. It’s one of those activities that clears the mind and works the body at the same time. I could already tell I'd be feeling it in my core the next day—and I definitely did.

Paddling into the sunset

The cows coming down the river bank for a drink

A Sunset Finale

After the paddle, with everything packed away, I launched the Neo once more. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the light was soft and moody—an ideal time to capture some final shots.

The Cuckmere meanders

I can't resist a bit of Black and White, and this seems to work well

As the last bit of light faded and the drone batteries were slowly running out, I packed everything away and headed home feeling calm, content, and just the right amount of sore. There's something about being on the water and capturing it from the air that makes even a regular evening feel like an adventure. Here’s to more sunsets, more paddles, and more time spent between water and sky.

If you enjoyed this little slice of my evening, feel free to drop a comment or share your own paddle or drone adventures—I’m always keen to hear from fellow explorers. Follow along for more laid-back sessions on the water, in the sky, and wherever the light leads.