104
ALL IN YOUR
HANDS
WORDS : SCOTT WARREN
PHOTOS : P3T PHOTOGRAPHY
HAYWOOD SPORTS
Here at Haywood Sports , we are always happy to help . We cover all areas of SUP through our coaching , and our home is on the coast in Kent . We are also always happy to answer any questions on paddling from locations to conditions , kit and safety . Get in touch by phone , email or social media .
www . haywoodsports . com info @ haywoodsports . com @ haywood _ sports
FOR MANY PADDLERS , FLATWATER IS HOME . THE SMOOTH , TRANQUIL WATERS OF INLAND LAKES , SHELTERED ESTUARIES AND RIVERS MAY OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCE WIND CHOP BUT RARELY BECOME WHAT WE CAN CALL ROUGH WATER . THROUGH THIS ARTICLE , I HOPE TO GIVE INLAND AND COASTAL PADDLERS SOME INSIGHT INTO PADDLING WHEN THINGS GET ROUGHER SO YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR WINDOW OF GETTING OUT AND DO MORE THAN JUST CHASING THE FEELING OF SURVIVAL .
The cliche statement Let ’ s start with the cliche statement that your paddle should be an extension of yourself . Holding your paddle should feel natural , with the paddle being balanced in your hands . All too often , especially now , I see paddlers getting into SUP with the most basic , heavy paddles . If one thing will hold your paddling back , it ’ s a heavy and dead paddle . So what do I mean by a dead paddle ? It ’ s a paddle which offers you no feel and won ’ t give you any feedback through your hands . If you invest in one piece of kit , then a decent paddle should be it . It doesn ’ t have to be a top-end £ 500 + paddle , but a decent mid-range paddle that feels light , comfortable and , most importantly , natural in your hands .