AquaPaddle

Project Overview

AquaPaddle is a Ruby on Rails web application designed to support the paddling community across the UK by providing a central platform for discovering, managing, and promoting timed paddling events. The project focuses on making event organisation simple for hosts while giving participants a clear, reliable way to find paddling events in their local area.

Visit the site

Overview

Paddling events in the UK are often scattered across different websites, social platforms, and local clubs, making them difficult to discover and manage. AquaPaddle addresses this problem by bringing events into a single, structured platform with a clear focus on usability, reliability, and community needs.

The application allows event organisers to publish and manage events, while paddlers can browse upcoming activities, view event details, and stay informed about what’s happening around the country.

Key Features

• Event listings with clear dates, locations, and descriptions
• Organiser dashboards for creating and managing paddling events
• Custom built race timer allowing captains to post results of events
• Premium subscription option with recurring payments powed by Stripe
• API integration for the national governing body of Paddlesports in the UK

Technical Details

Backend	Ruby on Rails
Database	PostgreSQL
Servers	Linux VPS on Digital Ocean Droplets
Frontend	ERB templates with minimal CSS framework
Authentication	Secure user accounts for organisers and participants
Architecture	MVC using Rails 8 conventions