For adventure-loving individuals aspiring to document their own thrilling escapades, Ally Findlay's story serves as a beacon of inspiration. A passionate SUP enthusiast and owner of Glasgow Paddleboarders Co, Ally took on the challenge of writing his first book, the recently published; ‘Paddle Scotland: The Best Places to Go with a Paddleboard, Kayak, or Canoe’. We asked Ally a few questions about his journey and the inspiration behind his book.
How did the idea for the book begin?
It feels like a long time ago now, but a lady messaged me through the Glasgow Paddleboarders Co blog, telling me how much she had enjoyed reading it. It was a nice message, but at the time, I didn't think too much of it other than being glad she enjoyed it. It turned out she worked for Bloomsbury Publishers, and they were looking for an author for a commissioned book that had no author. Little did I know...
How did you approach writing the book?
When I started working on the book, I knew it had to be filled with the best photos, and I wanted to include places I had paddled before. The challenging process of selecting my top 40 places began. With the abundance of water in Scotland, it was not an easy task. I had to choose what meant the most to me since I couldn't cover every place. I dedicated time every Friday morning, setting aside a minimum of 2 hours. During the summer, it was tough when the sun was shining because I knew that writing 40,000 words wouldn't happen by itself. In the winter, it was easier until Jim and Ben kept messaging about the great wind conditions for downwinders every Friday! With only 4 weeks to go, the deadline was approaching, and I just had to get it done. I worked most nights during that time—reading, writing, organising, rethinking, and more. Sending off the manuscript was an incredible feeling. There wasn't too much back and forth either. The Bloomsbury team was fantastic at keeping in touch and asking questions when needed. I didn't actually speak to anyone until a few weeks before the book launch when the marketing team called to discuss their plans!
What inspired you?
Writing a book and becoming an author was honestly not something I ever thought I would do. I simply love paddleboarding, and my enthusiasm for the sport was a significant driving force in doing a good job. Sometimes, I look at other people in the sport and what they do. Cal Major is an inspiration in her approach to tackling oceanic problems, or Brendon Prince paddling the entire coast of the UK. Different people on different missions, but they all promote the sport that I love.
Talk us through the challenges you faced.
The biggest challenge was simply sitting down and writing. It may seem like a simple task, but anyone who has written an essay knows that sometimes it requires a certain mood to get it done. When the pressure was on to complete it, it pushed me to achieve.
How did you manage, having not written a book before?
I just wrote down my own thoughts, conducted research, sought advice, and let the ideas flow. I work as a teacher two days a week, so I write a lot and teach about nonfiction texts with kids. However, doing it on an author's scale felt quite different!
How did you choose your front cover image?
Initially, Bloomsbury wanted a kayak on the front cover because there haven't been many paddleboard books written, and there is limited data on their sales. I stood my ground and insisted on having a paddleboard on the front cover since that's what I spend all my time on the water doing. The feeling in the team was that it would sell better. During my time at university, I was a member of the University of Glasgow Canoe Club, so I have considerable canoe experience as well. It didn't feel right to have a kayak, so I fought for my preference and organised a competition through my own business to collect as many photos as possible for the front cover. We received over 3,000 photos! I asked the Bloomsbury team to choose their top 10, and we narrowed it down to 3. Finally, we decided on the photo submitted by Angela Russell. The photo draws you in and makes you wonder what lies ahead. For me, it's a photo that has effectively sold the book. The old buoyancy aid debate naturally came up, but as a staged photo, it's ideal for the book and for maximising marketing opportunities!
Would you do it again?
One hundred percent, yes! I would probably do some things differently, but the overall process was undoubtedly challenging. It's awesome to see the hard copy and even better to know that it became an Amazon bestseller. The feedback from people has been incredible. Hopefully, it inspires and helps others to get out and paddle in new places!
do you Fancy adventure writing?
If you're eager to embark on your own paddleboarding escapades and discover the breathtaking landscapes Scotland has to offer, ‘Paddle Scotland: The Best Places to Go with a Paddleboard, Kayak, or Canoe’ is available to purchase on Amazon, and seems to be well on its way to becoming a go-to resource for unlocking Scotland's aquatic wonders.
So why not grab yourself a copy of ‘Paddle Scotland’ and let Ally Findlay's expertise and passion lead you to the most incredible paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing destinations Scotland has to offer!