SUP Mag UK August 2024 issue 42 | Page 3

60

Q & A with Mark Short

By Sarah Thornely

70

An entry into SUP slalom

By Helen Nightingale

78

Paddling in Javea

66

SUP foiling progression

By Tez Plavenieks

74

Q & A with JSUP Manning

By Tez Plavenieks

84

Torbay SuperChamps

By Brendon Prince

3 Ed ’ s note

SUP for the Olympics ?

At the time of writing , the 2024 Paris Olympics has started with Britain , so far taking home a handful of medals ( let ’ s hope there ’ s more to come ). Any follower of the Olympics will know that sports such as surfing , skateboarding , windsurf foiling , kitesurf foiling , breaking ( B-boy dancing ), and freestyle kayaking are already included . This is positive stuff . Even if some disciplines – such as kitesurf foiling - aren ’ t necessarily what most recreational riders practice .

Nonetheless , it ’ s good stuff . The Olympics can inspire people to get out and try a new sport . With specific disciplines in mind , it can be a good platform to raise awareness and show what ’ s available . Again , this leads to interest and an uptick in participation .

So where ’ s SUP ? It ’ s been mentioned countless times that paddle boarding is a worthy contender for Olympic recognition . We already know Paris can be an excellent stage for SUP racing along the River Seine . And whilst this is specific to this particular Olympics venue , I ’ m sure it ’ d transfer to most future locations .

Paddleboarding has been around for a good while now – I ’ d go so far as to say it ’ s no longer fledgling . And while there ’ s been a tail-off in uptake post-COVID ( at least as far as recreational paddle boarding goes ), there ’ s plenty to indulge in still . And plenty still like the idea of competing .

Trying to get SUP into the Olympics seems to have tailed off recently . At least , I ’ m not hearing as much chatter . I could be totally off the mark , and there is a plan behind the scenes . If so , great ! It ’ d be nice to think that SUP will debut eventually and all UK areas will be represented . Only time will tell , I guess …

Summer paddling With summer holidays now in full swing , they are prime paddling time . There are often lots of opportunities to get out for a float , and I ’ d encourage you to do so . SUP can be a great family activity , as well as an easily accessible release and way to find some headspace . Hopefully , the weather will play ball and deliver us some bonza weather !

In the meantime , enjoy the latest issue of SUP Mag UK . We hope you find some inspiration within these pages to get started .

See you afloat ! Tez Plavenieks , August 2024

By Andy Burrows

88 Gear Shed

Featuring : Zone 3 , McConks , Dryrobe , Mustang Survival , SEAR plugs , Roarsome Children ’ s Wetsuits , Ainsworth Paddles , NCW , Sroka , Huku Balance Boards , Bio Mate , Exit Watersports and ‘ Not That Deep ’ book review by Jo Moseley

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