SUP4 COACHING :
Power to the paddle
Words & photos : SUP4 coaching We caught up with SUP4 coaching , who are doing great things with SUP in and around London . Not only this , SUPM will be featuring a regular series of beginner-friendly articles from Rachel over the coming issues to help inspire and get you moving on up . To start with , though , we thought we ’ d find out more about SUP4 Coaching and Rachel herself .
Where to begin ?
SUP4 started from a love of being out on the water , whether the ocean , rivers , lakes , you name it . I just craved being in the outdoors , in or on the water . I spent most days travelling with my previous career and would always make the most of getting out and about , either surfing or SUPing when away from home and exploring different areas and bodies of water .
Adventure has always been in my blood , it runs in the family , but that is another story for another day . Taking my first ever stand on a SUP board was when visiting Bournemouth beach ; I was intrigued , and ten years on , the intrigue is still very much there . It ’ s not all about fitness for me ; it ’ s the ability to be close to nature and wildlife that draws me and so many to the sport . Having access up close to all of this is appealing and magical at times . Not to mention calming of the mind from being out on the water .
A move to Denmark helped me better understand SUP in a sea environment . I was hooked ! I was invited to help and support SURF CLUB AARHUS HARBOUR , which helped me gain knowledge and experience of how to SUP in all kinds of conditions and assist with coaching sessions . I loved the escape from being stuck on planes , trains and inside office spaces to the open water with people who understood me . From DK , I moved to London and chose the South West corner to set up camp as it ’ s pretty much on the river .
I joined a local SUP club in Kew and quickly gained confidence and skills by helping the school out with coached sessions at weekends . I spent a lot of time observing and helping at any opportunity . Qualifying as a coach through the club , I just knew this was the direction I had to take my life into .
THE Pandemic hits , and I lose my job
Many would say it was a blessing , and I couldn ’ t agree more . I had a job that I did because it was a brilliant paycheck at the end of the month , but that had slowly killed my enthusiasm inside over time . I explored options of going back to my design career with some amazing opportunities in London . Still , ultimately all I could think about was being outdoors and out on the water . I set up a plan , and SUP4 was born .
Using the little amount of savings I had to fund the business start-up , it was scary not knowing if my passion would turn into a career or if this was just another dream that wouldn ’ t amount to anything . 18 months on , we are striving for much more .
It ’ s been an adventure and journey so far , having met so many wonderful , inspiring people along the way to help build SUP4 into what it is today .
Where are we now ?
Having coached over 1400 people , a membership club of 50 members , a network of around 1800 and 25k raised for various charities this year ; I feel like we ’ re heading in the right direction . This isn ’ t just a business for me ; it ’ s been really important to make a statement on the Kingston Community where we are based . By opening up to charities such as London ’ s Air Ambulance , Mind , Red January , RNLI , and Surfers Against Sewage , we allow a mix of interests to join the club .
We place a huge emphasis on mental health and the power of SUP and movement on this subject , and we like to call it the POWER OF THE PADDLE . When I first set out on the SUP4 journey , it was with a big heart and a mindset to be as inclusive as possible to as many different kinds of people from all walks of life .
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