About
Riverside Paddle & Stay is proudly owned and operated by James Bell and Louise Aukland, a husband-and-wife team with a shared passion for paddling and the great outdoors. With years of experience exploring waterways across the globe, they bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to Riverside. Both James and Louise hold the Paddle Sport Leader Qualification from the British Canoeing Awarding Body. Louise is also a qualified Paddle Sport Instructor.
Together, they have created a space where adventure meets comfort, offering guests the opportunity to experience the beauty of the river in a welcoming and professional setting. Their personal touch and deep connection to the water ensure that every visit to Riverside is both memorable and inspiring.
JAMES
Throughout my life, I have been deeply connected to the lakes and rivers of the UK. While I’m not entirely sure where this passion began, one of my earliest memories is gazing over the edge of a bridge into the river below, captivated by the hidden world beneath the surface and the endless possibilities it sparked in my imagination. To this day, I find it impossible to pass a bridge without pausing to look over, hopeful for a glimpse of the water and the life it sustains—both within and alongside it.
My love for paddling began over 40 years ago, and my enthusiasm for being out on the water remains as strong as ever. Over the years, my paddling adventures have taken me along and across countless waterways in various countries. Yet, it is the enchanting stretch of the Thames and Thame in South Oxfordshire that holds a special place in my heart. It’s no coincidence that this very stretch of the river inspired Kenneth Grahame to write *The Wind in the Willows*—a testament to its timeless magic.
For the past two decades, I have dedicated my professional life to education, serving as a classroom teacher and later as a Co-headteacher in primary schools across Oxfordshire. Throughout my career, I have consistently shared my passion for the outdoors with both students and colleagues, helping them appreciate the profound positive impact that time spent in nature can have on our well-being. In an increasingly digital world, the opportunity to step away and reconnect with the natural environment can be truly transformative.
With extensive experience in planning and leading outdoor residential trips, I am thrilled to bring this expertise to Riverside Paddle & Stay. I look forward to creating meaningful experiences that inspire others to discover the joy and wonder that our waterways offer.
LOUISE
Like James, my connection to rivers is lifelong. I grew up next to the River Waveney with swimming and paddling a common past time during the hot summers. In my teens I volunteered as a lifeguard on the coast and in ecological conservation on the Broads.
My career has shifted and changed almost as often as the meandering river in flood. From ecology to forestry to sustainability and international climate change policy; a period of stability with 15 years in secondary science education; then more recently a shift to mental health research, wellbeing, mindfulness and neuroscience.
For the past 7 years I have worked part time in research and public engagement for the University of Oxford (Psychiatry, Oxford Mindfulness Centre and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences). In my freelance work I am an author, trainer and teacher of mindfulness and wellbeing.
Over the years I have organised school residentials, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, done mountain leader training and run a youth group with James for many years.
Paddling on, and swimming in, rivers has always been part of my life… whether in the UK or on various overseas postings. White water kayaking, rafting, canoeing, and more recently paddleboarding. Nowadays there are less adrenalin fuelled descents and eskimo rolls in a lightning storm (there’s a story there!) and It’s much more about reconnecting with the self, others and nature as I paddle.
There’s nothing better than lying down on a SUP, floating down the river at dusk, spotting kingfishers skimming overhead on their journey downstream.
I believe that good food is a powerful catalyst for connecting with others, especially when cooked over the fire and eaten under the stars after a day paddling.
The food you experience at Riverside, or on your river journey, will be inspired by our desire to provide hearty, but healthy, locally sourced and sustainable produce.
