Paddleboarding in Venice is 60th birthday treat for Chris

But for a while even he was stumped as to how to mark turning 60.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant a big party was definitely off the agenda. Other alternative travel plans to France and then Croatia had to be abandoned.

Nevertheless he still wanted to splash out ... and that is just what he did, marking his birthday week with a never to be forgotten experience, paddleboarding down Venice’s Grand Canal.

That was just one of the highlights of the birthday trip which also coincided with Venice’s annual Historical Regatta. His tour also took in a visit to where Prosecco is made and a visit to Lake Garda.

The property developer from Ribchester explained how the paddleboarding was inspired by his daughter Beth’s new business venture SUP Paddleboarding.

Chris said: “Beth took a paddleboard. She’s just started a paddleboard company. They were all egging me on to do it. I’d only been on a paddleboard once a couple of weeks ago on Coniston.”

It was, he said, a wonderful experience, if not the sweetest smelling one. He said “It was great. You just have to be careful ... I didn’t know until I was there they still stick sewage into the canal. It’s a bit smelly when you’re on the actual water! I was thinking I don’t want to fall in there.”

He continued: “I didn’t do it for very long -about half an hour. It’s very easy. I do ski and my balance isn’t that bad.”

Chris took his paddleboard out in the early morning as such adventures are only permitted on the waterway before 8am. A group of family and friends joined him in Venice for dinner overlooking the Grand Canal at The Gritti Palace hotel.

* Chris bought daughter Beth a paddleboard for Christmas several years ago ... and it was an instant hit.

Chris said: “She loved it. She’s always been into sailing and windsurfing.”

Beth gained a first class degree in Fine Art and has since worked as a furniture designer and in the hotel industry. But this summer the 26 year old set up the new mobile business with her boyfriend Calum Visser, after he was made redundant amid the Covid lockdown from his job managing outdoor activities. Now Beth hopes to combine teaching paddleboarding in summer with design work in winter.