95
Kit and clothing
Boards and paddles Today ’ s SUP market is full of almost every piece of SUP kit you can imagine , with boards and paddles being no exception . But do you need the latest race-specific kit to go racing ? Well , the honest answer is no , you don ’ t . Sure the latest race paddle and carbon board will be the fastest ever , but buying the best kit won ’ t instantly make you a superstar overnight . The training and effort you put in away from race day will make the biggest difference . If you ’ re getting into racing , you can join many others who race their day to day boards , and it ’ s very common to see iSUP touring and race shapes on the start line . The same goes for paddles , yes you should probably upgrade from the basic aluminium paddle , but you don ’ t need to go crazy . Most manufacturers offer a good selection of mid-range paddles , which are more than up to the job .
Ask advice Before you whip out the credit card , one thing to do is ask for some advice from an experienced racer , coach , or retailer . This way , you can be sure you are looking at the right bit of kit for you and not wasting your time and money on something not quite right . It would help if you avoided the marketing pitfalls that the narrowest board you can find is the best one . Just because the top paddlers in the world are using it day in and day out doesn ’ t mean it ’ s suited to you and the conditions you will be in .
Demo if you can Whilst you could easily spend all your time demoing kit and get lost in the process , with a specific list or idea of what you ’ re looking for , the chance to demo should undoubtedly be taken . This way , you can feel what the board and paddle are like and whether will it suit you . Just bear in mind that jumping on any unfamiliar kit and expecting to see instant results is very , very unlikely to happen .
The other stuff So you ’ re all sorted with your board and paddle , so what else might you need ? You will need some clothing options , including lightweight fitness style gear , sup specific items like jackets perhaps , some mid-weight options to offer wind or rain protection , and some options for cold days out training .
You will also need a decent coiled leash , and most likely , a waist attachment with a quick release is the way to go . Depending on the types of event you will be doing , specific leash rules will be used , so again , have a couple of options . Other must-have items are a good hydration pack and a waterproof phone case . There are stacks of options to choose from , including running and biking packs and SUP specific manufacturers . Finally , a Buoyancy Aid . Whilst not always a requirement , it ’ s good to have just in case , and many of the kayak and canoe brands now offer a tailored SUP specific option with extra pockets and comfort for SUP style paddling .
And finally …
If you ’ re looking to take a step into racing and want to push yourself , then it ’ s worth investing in some coaching and maybe even a training plan . Depending on where you are , there is most likely a SUP coach close to you but do always check what they have done in SUP racing if you want the best results . It ’ s also worth finding out if there are local training groups or sessions for you , as these are a great way to push your fitness , develop your skills , and get some advice .
Through Haywood Sports , we offer training sessions , free training packs , season plans , and coaching , and we are always happy to offer advice , so be sure to get in touch .
SUP racing is a brilliant challenge , offers a huge amount of variety and has a whole SUP community of its own .