Ed ’ s note
Find your path
Pic : Oli Lane-Peirce I ’ ve paddled a lot this winter – more than I ’ ve done for years . More than I ’ ve ever done full stop . Those who know me will be aware of my penchant for a wave or two , and I tend to seek out waves for personal paddle time around the general SUP kit testing I do for SUP Mag UK . Although these days , that ’ s mainly done with a dangly thing protruding out of my board .
I ’ m not suggesting foiling is for everyone . But it ’ s an available tool to enhance those weak to average wave conditions you can get when out riding . Hydrofoils suit my home paddling grounds , the style of riding I err towards and my general progressive outlook on stand up paddleboarding . Don ’ t get me wrong . I love a flat , glassy calm day for mooching about as much as the next paddler . But when you start talking ‘ performance paddling ’, I ’ m often to be found foiling – only switching to fins when the conditions really ramp up . And that ’ s happened as well . Just not as often as we ’ d like this offseason .
My point is SUP ’ s a diverse beast with many avenues to head off down and discover your perfect niche . This may be recreational paddling – which everyone does . But with such versatility available ( and all without having to change your gear , at first ), it ’ d be a shame not to investigate just what this diverse sport can deliver .
You may get bitten by the SUP race bug . Like me , waves could end up being your thing . Or perhaps a spot of adventuring will flick your switch . After all is said and done , it could still be recreational paddling with mates that gets you out of bed in the morning , which is great . However you paddle , and wherever you paddle , it ’ s all good . But as I say , I ’ d definitely recommend investigating the wider world of SUP and what it offers .
If you ’ re reading this as a progressing newbie , you may not have even considered some aspects of what SUP is ( or can be ). Take it from me , after 15 + years involved with SUP ; there ’ s plenty to immerse yourself in . And to reiterate once more : you don ’ t ( in most cases ) have to switch up upgrade your gear . That 10 ’ 6 inflatable you purchased during Lockdown is perfectly applicable for some white water river paddling . Of course , when the bug bites , it might be time to get some more performance orientated gear . Possibly . Not at first , though .
With 2022 ’ s summer of SUP just about to kick off , now ’ s the time to dust down your SUP kit and put a plan of action into place . Do a little research to find out precisely what you might be able to accomplish over the next few months . If you feel some additional or refresher coaching could be worth it , take that option . And then it ’ s green lightsville . Find your SUP path and reap even more rewards from one of the broadest and most accessible watersports around .
SUPM 2022
With the weather getting warmer and more spring-like , the incentive to get out there and paddle is tangible . And if you ’ re looking for SUP inspiration – across all areas – then you only need to peruse this issue to find something that gets your frothing .
Enjoy the first SUPM of 2022 and stay with us for all that SUP goodness this season and beyond . Tez Plavenieks – February 2022
006 Supjunkie reporting
By Sarah Thornely 010 The North Channel By James Fletcher
016 Rebel SUP
By Dave Ludgate 024 SUP mum Q & A Emily McDonald
030 SUP the World … Q & A
By John McFadzean 038 # ShePaddles chats
Emma Love interviews Emy Mcleod & Charlotte Ditchburn
046 Advertorial
Sandbanks Style 048 Chris Parker Q & A
By Sarah Thornely ( Supjunkie )
058 Dogs on SUPs
How to by Stephanie Barnicoat
066 SUP4 coaching
By Rachel Bambrough
070 Trimming your board
By Scott Warren 076 SUP standards By Chris Kenyon
080 Racing : 12 ’ 6 versus 14 ’
By Samantha Rutt
088 Gear shed
Cover photo : Stephanie Barnicoat Photo : Dave Hudson Thanks to : Adrian Soper , John Baldry , Graham Woollven , Neil Wilson , Gemma Scope Photography , Jon Ditchburn , Kelli Surritte , Trevor Tunnington , Christopher Parker , the Reichmann family , Wissanu Wisetputtasat , P3T Photography , Jade Rogers , Geoff Mather , Oli Lane-Pierce contents issue thirty-two 04-22
Not all contributors are professional writers and photographers , so don ’ t be put off writing because you have no experience ! Next
issue is June 2022 with a deadline of submissions on April 5th 2022 . Technical Information : Contributions preferably as a Microsoft Word file with 800-1200 words , emailed to tez
@ supmaguk . co . uk . Images should be hi-resolution . SUP Mag UK encourages contributions of any nature but reserves the right to edit to the space available . Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishing parent company , 2b Graphic Design Ltd . The publishing of an advertisement in SUP Mag UK does not necessarily mean that the parent company , 2b Graphic Design Ltd , endorses the company , item or service advertised . All material in SUP Mag UK is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved . Reproduction without prior permission from the publisher is forbidden .
Publisher