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Celebrating 10 Years of Paddle Logger with David Walker!

We cannot believe it has been ten years since the launch of one of the most used paddling tracking apps known as Paddle Logger. Today we welcome David Walker, the co-founder of Paddle Logger to TotalSUP. As a passionate paddler himself, Dave shares insights about the innovative app designed specifically for paddlesport enthusiasts, including stand-up paddle boarders and kayakers. Paddle Logger not only tracks paddling sessions but also includes a unique safety feature called PaddleLIVE™, which allows users to monitor each other’s safety while enjoying their time on the water. Dave reflects on the app’s evolution over the past decade, from its inception to its current status in the paddling community, highlighting user experiences, technological advancements, and upcoming features that promise to enhance the paddling experience even further.

David and Lewis! The founders of Paddle Logger

Hi Dave! Welcome to TotalSUP. How are you today? Can you explain what Paddle Logger is to those who may not know what the app is all about?

Hi Maddi, absolutely – thanks for having me. I’m doing great, and I’m excited to share more about Paddle Logger. For those who aren’t familiar, Paddle Logger is an easy-to-use app designed specifically for paddlers, whether you’re into stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, or any other paddlesport. It allows you to track your paddling sessions, record your routes, monitor your performance, and share your journeys with friends. Back in 2018 we launched PaddleLIVE™, which is unique in our industry in that it is a fully automated service that allows someone to keep an eye on you and enact a rescue should you get into difficulty on the water. Essentially, our app enhances your paddling experience while keeping you safe, without getting in the way of your actual paddling!!

PaddleLIVE is definitely my favourite feature too! What inspired the creation of Paddle Logger 10 years ago?

The idea for Paddle Logger was born out of a personal need over a decade ago. As a paddler myself, I started to want to know more about how I was doing on the water and how far I was going. I didn’t have any cash to spend on a bulky (at the time) specialist GPS device, which wasn’t ideal for paddling. Equally other apps that were out there weren’t designed really for paddlesports. Great at what they did, but they weren’t designed with a paddler in mind. This is also the days before the Apple Watch and smartwatches, so I saw an opportunity to create something specifically for our community—something that was simple, functional, and catered to the unique needs of paddlers who wanted to track their sessions at an affordable price using equipment they likely already owned. It just went from there really.

That is absolutely incredible! Paddle Logger has done a fantastic job so far supporting the paddling community’s tracking needs! How has Paddle Logger evolved over the past decade?

It has come a long way since its early days. We started with the basic tracking and logging features, but over the years, we’ve added a host of functionalities based on user feedback and technological advancements. Right since the beginning, we knew we wanted to put something simple out into the market and iterate based on what people wanted. That process really hasn’t changed all that much, we still keep in contact with many of our founder users who have been with us from the beginning and we are super grateful for. Now though it is even easier for paddlers to tell us what they want and to keep track of what we are building. Just tap this link to vote for features or suggest new ones! The first major milestone was when the Apple Watch came out, and immediately we could see the value in focusing our product to be best in class and standalone. This means that every feature available on iPhone is available on Watch making it even easier for paddlers to use the app without needing to take their phones on the water. This includes our next major milestone which was the development of PaddleLIVE™, this feature was unique to the industry when we launched and it continues to be unmatched in the fact it is fully automated. Connecting paddlers so they are safe, without disrupting their water time, which can be an opportunity for disconnection for many. It is there when you need it, a bit like a guardian angel! This has become a key feature for us to help paddlers be a bit safer when they take to the water, especially in recent years where the paddlesport market has grown – especially in the leisure and rental sector where ocean knowledge may not be as high. Alongside these major milestones we have continuously refined the app’s performance, user interface, and added new features to better serve our community – so please do go vote for your favourite!

Wow! What a journey! In what ways has Paddle Logger contributed to the paddling community in the last 10 years?

We’re proud of how Paddle Logger has enabled us to support the paddling community over the years. Not only have we created a product where paddlers can track and improve their performance but also share their experiences. Our industry (Apps for Paddlesports) didn’t really exist when we started, whether we have helped create it, I am not sure I would be that bold to say, but it is great to see other brands taking it seriously by producing equipment focused on tracking paddling now! Looking back through our timeline it is really fulfilling to have been promoting safety through features like PaddleLIVE™ before others had started considering it and by offering tools that encourage paddlers to push their limits, we’ve helped paddlers of all levels enjoy their time on the water more confidently. As we have grown, as well we have then been able to give back to events, and individuals achieve their paddling goals through sponsorships and event sponsorships. I think it is easy for paddlers to forget the amount of work that goes into planning and putting on these events, having been more involved the other side of this more recently with Head of the Dart and Paddle Logger Falmouth Bay Open with GBSUP, it really is amazing seeing how event organizers are able to give up their time and pull together spectacular competitions and participation numbers for what still is a relatively small sport. Something else I am proud of is how we have leveraged our user base to support our marine playground and ocean environments. Every time someone finishes a session with Paddle Logger, if they have seen an environmental issue they are able to log it through our Save the Waves partnership – who will then make efforts to record and resolve damaging incidents. Additionally, 1% of every subscription goes directly to marine focused non-profits through our 1% for the planet partnership. It is a small thing, and something that many brands can easily set up and can make a massive difference when all the 1% ‘s add up!

Thank you for sharing and for giving back to the paddling community and environment in so many ways with Paddle Logger! Can you share some memorable user stories or experiences with Paddle Logger since its launch?

There have been so many inspiring stories shared by our users! Including some which show the power of PaddleLIVE™ in assisting emergency services looking for missing persons. One that stands out is from a paddler who uses the feature regularly, but never really expecting anything to happen, and I think this is a mindset many of us share – “it won’t happen to me”. They were attempting a solo long-distance paddle and the weather unexpectedly changed. Their parents had been sent the message notifying them of where the paddler was going and had been checking the route map, before actually heading down to a nearby headland to get eyes on the paddler. As the paddler made it safely back to shore finishing their planned session they were able to be there to surprise them with some welcome hot food! I think this is a great example of how the paddler was out on the water and was able to concentrate on their situation without being distracted and while dangers were heightened and they made it back safely, the simple act of someone looking out for you can put everyone’s mind at rest! Don’t get me wrong we also hear from many paddlers who forget to end their paddle and have been caught having a sneaky post paddle drink before heading home! Make sure you start and end your paddles folks! We have also been involved in setting some world records over the years and tracked multi expedition adventurers like Cal Major’s down the UK’s longest river. Your own and other’s experience with the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis and some other mega paddles in the USA. We also had a great one where two guys from England paddle their kayaks south through France.

Those are great stories! I’ll be sure to remember to end my paddle the next time I turn on the tracking! What new features or updates can users look forward to in the future of Paddle Logger?

We’re always working on new ways to enhance Paddle Logger. We are doing some work on the Logbook at the minute as well as some other requests from paddlers. We’re excited about what’s on the horizon and can’t wait to roll out these updates, rest assured TotalSUP will have all the latest info!

How has the technology behind Paddle Logger advanced since its inception?

The technology has evolved tremendously. As I have mentioned, Paddle Logger was a simple tracking tool, as we are software company, we are to an extent limited by the hardware we have available – as wearable technology particularly has advanced we have tried to be early adopters and ensure we are using what is available to us in the most considered way for our paddlers. Something I have always been really conscious of is overloading the product, what I mean by that is doing lots of stuff because we can and ultimately making the product quite busy, this can be at the detriment of the user’s experience and 70% of that stuff, many paddlers in the market won’t ever touch. We want paddlers to be safe, skilled paddlers, not experts at using a device on the water who can paddle.

That sounds brilliant! What achievements has Paddle Logger reached since its launch?

One of our proudest achievements is reaching a global community of paddlers who rely on Paddle Logger for their adventures. Fully localising the App for Spanish speakers (we have other languages in the works!), to help our mission to really be for paddlers everywhere! We have launched a Podcast which has had some of the biggest names in SUP on as guests. We’ve won several awards for our app, which is a testament to the hard work of our team and the support of our users. Another milestone was the successful launch of PaddleLIVE™, mentioned previously, which has been widely adopted by our community and has undoubtedly made paddling safer for many. The wildest one is reaching our 10-year mark, sat on a beach in the UK with an idea, to meeting Lewis my business partner, to building an epic product, to now has been one heck of a learning experience. I am grateful to everyone who has joined us on that journey for part or all of it. Who knows what will happen in the next 10 years…

Thank you so much Dave for joining us on TotalSUP today! We cannot wait to see Paddle Logger continue to thrive and grow over the next decade!

Get Paddle Logger today on the app store
Follow Paddle Logger on Instagram and Facebook
For more information check out Paddle Loggers website

About the Author

Maddi Leblanc

Maddi Leblanc is a Niagara born, Canada-based stand up paddling athlete for Team Canada, SUP instructor, and lake surfer. Maddi is also the events and community co-ordinator at Surf the Greats. She has been paddle boarding for over ten years, competing in SUP for seven years, and surfing the Great Lakes for seven years. She is also a masters alumni from Brock University in Recreation & Leisure Studies. Find her on Instagram.

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