Darren Cox to attempt 35km Ireland-to-Scotland Channel Crossing

The beauty of stand-up paddleboarding is that every paddler gets to choose their own path. Increasingly, recreational paddlers are discovering a passion for pushing their limits, progressing into long-distance events, endurance racing and some of the most demanding challenges the sport has to offer. For many, the ultimate test is not against fellow competitors, but against the ocean itself.

“The ocean rarely gives you a perfect day,” says Dublin paddler Darren Cox, 51, who is preparing to take on one of his toughest challenges yet.

On 14 July, Darren will attempt a gruelling 35km crossing of the North Channel, paddling from Donaghadee in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick in Scotland. The challenge will see him battle cold water, powerful tidal currents, unpredictable weather, and hours of continuous paddling across one of the most demanding stretches of water between Ireland and Scotland.

Beyond the physical challenge, Darren is also using the crossing to raise funds for Barretstown, the children’s charity that provides life-changing camps and programmes for seriously ill children and their families.

We caught up with Darren to learn more about the motivation behind the challenge, the cause he is supporting, and the gear he has chosen for the journey – the NSP Maliko Unlimited SUP board.

Hi Darren, welcome to TotalSUP! Could you tell us a bit about your watersports background and what first drew you to stand-up paddleboarding?

I’ve always been drawn to the water growing up in Ireland. I spent years around boats, surfing and generally being near the sea, but when I discovered stand-up paddleboarding it just clicked straight away. I loved the freedom of it and the connection you get with the ocean.

What really pulled me in was the mix of endurance, adventure and simplicity. You can paddle flat water, open ocean, rivers – every session feels different. Over time it became more than just a hobby. It turned into something that challenged me physically and mentally in a way no other sport really had before.

Many of us have gone from recreational paddling to competitive racing in different ways – how was that transition for you, especially now that you’ve chosen the endurance SUP path?

The transition happened naturally. At first I was just paddling for enjoyment and fitness, but then I started entering local races and realised I loved pushing myself. Racing gave me structure and goals to work towards.

Over the years I found myself leaning more toward longer-distance events and endurance paddling. I enjoy the mental side of it as much as the physical side – settling into a rhythm, managing energy, dealing with changing conditions and staying focused for hours.

Endurance paddling suits my personality. It’s less about explosive speed and more about resilience, preparation and staying calm when things get tough.

When did you first start thinking about taking on a crossing like the North Channel?

The idea had been sitting in the back of my mind for quite a while. Living in Ireland, the North Channel has always had a certain reputation around it – it’s a serious stretch of water with a lot of history and unpredictability.

As I spent more time doing longer paddles and endurance events, the thought kept growing. Eventually it went from “maybe someday” to “why not try?” I think challenges like this appeal to people because they force you outside your comfort zone. It’s not just about fitness – it’s about commitment, preparation and respect for the ocean.

What makes the Donaghadee to Portpatrick route such a difficult challenge for paddlers?

The North Channel is unpredictable. Conditions can change very quickly and you have tides, currents, wind and sea state all working together. Even on a good day it’s a serious crossing.

It’s not just the 35km distance – it’s the exposure and the mental challenge of being out there for hours with nowhere to stop. You have to stay focused the whole time because small mistakes can become big problems in open water. The route demands respect. Preparation is huge, but so is being adaptable on the day.

How are you preparing mentally and physically for 35km of nonstop paddling in unpredictable conditions?

Physically, the focus has been building endurance and consistency. A lot of long paddles, interval work and time on the unlimited board so my body becomes efficient over distance. I’m also mixing in strength work and SkiErg sessions to build durability without overloading my shoulders.

Mentally, I think it’s about becoming comfortable being uncomfortable. Long training sessions help with that because you learn how to manage fatigue, stay patient and keep moving when things start getting difficult. I’m also trying to prepare for different scenarios rather than expecting perfect conditions. The ocean rarely gives you a perfect day.

You’ve chosen to support Barretstown through this challenge – why was it important for you personally to raise funds for the charity?

Barretstown does incredible work for children and families dealing with serious illness, and I wanted the crossing to stand for something bigger than just a personal challenge.

When you’re asking people to support and follow a journey like this, it feels important to connect it to a cause that genuinely makes a difference. The resilience and positivity those kids show is inspiring, and if this paddle can help raise awareness or funds for Barretstown, then that gives the whole challenge even more meaning.

Let’s talk gear… You’ll be taking on the crossing on the NSP Maliko unlimited board – what makes that board the right choice for a challenge like this?

The NSP Maliko Unlimited feels built for open-water distance paddling. It has great glide and efficiency, which becomes hugely important over a long crossing where you want to conserve as much energy as possible.

What I really like about it is how stable and predictable it feels in rough water. In a challenge like the North Channel, confidence in your equipment matters a lot. The board handles chop and changing conditions well, while still maintaining speed over distance. I’ve been spending a lot of time on it recently because I want it to feel completely natural by the time the crossing comes around.

What do you like most about paddling an unlimited board compared with other SUP setups?

Unlimited boards have a different feel altogether. Once they get moving, they carry momentum incredibly well and they really reward efficient paddling.

For endurance paddling they make a lot of sense because they glide so efficiently across open water. You can settle into a rhythm and cover distance smoothly.

There’s also something about the experience itself – they feel fast, powerful and designed for adventure. They encourage you to think beyond short race formats and towards bigger journeys on the water.

What’s your mindset and what are your expectations going into this challenge?

My mindset is to respect the crossing, prepare properly and give it everything I have on the day. Of course I want to complete it successfully, but I also know the ocean decides a lot. You can’t control conditions, so the focus has to be on preparation, making smart decisions and staying adaptable.

More than anything, I want to enjoy the experience and prove to myself that I’m capable of taking on a challenge like this. If I can inspire a few people along the way or raise support for Barretstown at the same time, then that’s a huge bonus.

Thank you Darren – we can’t wait to follow you along the way!

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