Durham
For more information on how you can secure a tandem from as little as £ 799 visit www. locosurfing. com
Fast forward to the present day and much has changed especially in the city with a real sense of multi-culturism and financial optimism. There are even trendy bars, restaurants, designer clothes shops and boutique hotels so it’ s got something for everyone. Definitely one for the SUP bucket list!
The river snakes through the city so you can take in all of the ancient architecture, passing under medieval bridges with the world famous cathedral visible in the distance. The river is busier than you might imagine with various collegial rowing clubs using it to train on. Tourists can also hire charming wooden rowing boats but its pretty tame compared to paddle boarding the same section of river.
Durham
As part of the testing process we were lucky enough to catch up with Paul and Sally who were keen to try the tandem on Durham’ s River Wear. If you’ ve not paddled there before it’ s a truly magical location. Most people know Durham for its excellent university but the county, also know as the Land of Prince Bishops, is steeped in history dating back to the Romans and more recently was known for its coal mining.
Times have certainly changed since we were at university with several undergraduates studying outside enjoying the midweek sunshine, sipping champagne on the river bank but it didn’ t stop Sally and Paul attracting their attention as they glided effortlessly past. In the interests of transparency they both own their own hard boards and can normally be found at the coast; enjoying some summer cruising and small waves in Sally’ s case with Paul preferring paddle surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing.
When we asked them for their opinion on 17’ Motion Air Tandem they both said it was a completely different experience to what they were used to. Paul went so far to say it was one of the best days of his life! We’ ll take that one. Sally said it was such a calming and tranquil experience with the main challenge being co-ordinating their stroke but once that was sorted she was surprised just how quick the board felt but super stable at the same time. Both suggested that they might spend more time together as a couple if they had one in their quiver and could see the tandem being perfect for touring and fitness.
They were surprised to learn that we’ d had the same board out at the coast catching small waves just the week before. They’ ve tentatively asked to loan it for a weekend trip to York so we’ re pretty confident they loved the board as much as we do.
For more information on how you can secure a tandem from as little as £ 799 visit www. locosurfing. com
s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k 64