28
FINDING THE FLOW STATE THROUGH DOWNWINDING
WORDS : ANDY BURROWS PHOTOS : ANDY BURROWS
“ DOWNWINDING IS THE PUREST TEST OF A PADDLER ’ S MENTALITY AND THEIR SUP SKILLS .”
DOWNWINDING REQUIRES A COMPLETE AMALGAMATION OF ALL THE SKILLS , KNOWLEDGE AND FITNESS ACQUIRED IN OTHER AREAS OF SUP . YOU NEED AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC FITNESS , THE ABILITY TO GAIN IMMEDIATE POWER , GREAT BALANCE AND AGILITY AND SUPERB AWARENESS OF THE CONDITIONS AROUND YOU . YOU ALSO NEED MENTAL STRENGTH , COURAGE , PATIENCE AND RESILIENCE .
Do it ‘ right ’, and the feelings of exhilaration and satisfaction are ( to me ) the best rush you can get on a 14ft SUP board . You can enter a ‘ flow ’ state where 100 per cent of your body and mind is focused on the task . You are in control , but without absolute focus , you would be taking a dip in a second . The physical exertion is matched with a mental battle . It ’ s a long way removed from paddling on a calm lake , chatting with friends , enjoying the views and thinking about where to stop off to eat your sandwiches . It ’ s a place where you feel alive and in the moment . It ’ s also a transient feeling that could end with a simple mistake at any moment .
Sounds too dramatic ? To discover these fantastic sensations , you need to find conditions that will challenge you , conditions where the heart beats faster when you arrive at the shoreline .
When I am in ‘ flow ’ on a downwinder , time seems to stop ; I feel almost childlike , busy , and immersed in play . I don ’ t want the experience to end , yet I know that the run will be a memory in a few kms .
Andy Burrows is the author of the book ‘ Improving your Stand Up Paddling .’ He spends most of his time living in Spain , where he paddles with some of the best in the world . https :// fernhurstbooks . com / books / per malink / 172 / improving _ your _ stand _ up _ paddleboarding