SUP Mag UK April 2018 issue 16 | Page 8

“

McConks commentary with …

Andy McConkey

Change is afoot . But does it really matter ? If you ' re hooked in with SUP gossip you will be aware of the mighty battle that ' s going on to determine which International Federation should ‘ govern ’ paddleboarding . And what the knock on impact of this might be on National Governing Bodies .

Many column inches have already been spent discussing this , cogitating on the best outcomes for different groups of SUPers and trying to second guess what a decision in either direction may mean . And there have been many heated debates on Facebook about the relative benefits of the ‘ prize ’ being given to British Canoeing ( BC ), British Standup Paddleboard Association ( BSUPA ), Academy of Surf Instructors ( ASI ) and the Water Skills Academy ( WSA ).

British Canoeing have put together a Standup Paddleboarding Technical Panel of SUP experts and are just about to announce the members of the SUP working group ( this has now been done – ed ). The remit of these panels / groups is still evolving and will adapt over time . But the fact that they exist at all is taken by many as evidence that BC believe it will become the NGB for the UK , although BC strongly dispute this .

For many paddlers there is an almost ideological aversion to being a member of a club . For them paddling is a lifestyle , a pastime , a recreation , or a way of getting and keeping mentally and physical fit . The most passionate and dedicated of them work hard on the water , and off , to develop more skills , and help others develop , but they acquire these for personal fulfilment , and to enjoy paddling more ; to be able to take on more challenging conditions , and spend more time on the water . Not to get certificates or bits of paper that recognise their skills . For these people , it ’ s not about being the fastest in a race , or scoring the most waves , but being at one with the water , and mastering the conditions and the environment . Sport or competition , cheapens the experience in the eyes of people like this .

There are other more occasional paddlers , maybe not quite as dedicated to the pursuit of excellence , but who still don ’ t see any reason to be a member of a governing body . Many watersports people are by nature at least slightly anti-establishment , and subscribe to the Groucho Marx school of thought . i . e . They don ’ t want to be a member of any club that would have them . In the last week I ’ ve heard more than one paddler proudly profess that they have zero bits of paper that ‘ permit ’ them to paddle , have no affiliations or memberships , but still give plenty of time developing others and working on behalf of paddlers in areas that they feel have been abandoned by NGBs . For example , there are many people working hard on improving access to rivers who are not a member of any NGB , and see no reason to join .

Other frustrations we hear on the riverbank or beach ( regarding NGBs ) are - l Wrong focus . l Poor transparency in decision making and unclear governance . l Poor communication with rank and file members . l Poor member benefits . l Lack of information .

Whoever becomes the NGB will need to work really hard to develop a range of member benefits that appeal to everyone . It ’ s going to be an interesting year in SUP , and to an outside observer , British Canoeing appear to be making overtures to the other NGBs , SUP associations and training organisations to bring everyone together . The organisations need to remember that , for most people on the ground , the bickering and gossip is damaging all of them equally . Whatever happens things need to change rapidly , and become more positive . The new British Canoeing SUP technical panel and SUP working group appear to be new shoots for a new more inclusive future . I guess we ’ ll know by the end of the year whether they worked !

s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k 8