SUP Mag UK June 2023 issue 37 | Page 3

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Q & A with IRISHSUP ’ s Paul Byrne

By Sarah Thornely

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Q & A Craig Sawyer

By Tez Plavenieks

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A guide to SUP in North Iceland

By Laken-Louise Hives

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Waterborn 2.0

By Crispin Jones

74

In conversation with

Natasha Sones By Peter Tranter

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Ed ’ s note

The bleddy weather !

Birds singing , sunshine shining , blue sky , er blueing , and so on ... As I write , looking out of the window , it seems summer has arrived . The high pressure we ‘ ve had sitting over the UK continues to remain ‘ stuck ‘. And long may it continue . Just as with the changing of summer to autumn in 2022 ( when Mother Nature said : nah , you ‘ re done now ), she seems to have decided the same for changing the seasons once again . Don ‘ t get me wrong ; this isn ‘ t the Med , but having endured a lacklustre spring temperature-wise , it ‘ s welcome to enjoy this good weather run . Don ‘ t I sound typically British banging on about it ?

With so many stand up paddlers of a fair weather bent , it needs conditions like these to pep things up . Most riders aren ‘ t prepared to go afloat when it ‘ s cooler or raining , for instance . Yet we need paddlers paddling – especially at the beginner end of the spectrum .

As a reader of SUP Mag UK , you ‘ re probably happy to battle things out . More hardcore if you like . So why does the recreational end of SUP matter to you ?

The industry relies on sales of equipment and peripherals . The industry is in a good place when more gear is sold across all demographics and cash in the coffers . And with this comes more opportunity for the dedicated paddler . Money – which it all comes down to ( sadly ) – becomes more readily available . And cash knocks on to all areas – from equipment to events and everything else . If the paddle boarding world has a good season for weather , then it ‘ ll probably mean all parties concerned have a good season financially . And that ‘ ll give ‘ more ‘ opportunity for investment which allows ‘ more ‘ in general . In the long run , sustainability is key and will keep the sport we all know and love thriving .

I appreciate we can ‘ t control the weather . But hopefully , this run of sunshine , warmth and blue skies continues . Fingers crossed for a bumper year of SUP in general . And apologies for yet more chat with economic leanings ( you ‘ ve probably had a gut full via conventional media channels ). But it ‘ s worth keeping in mind .

With good weather and SUP experience , you can also give a helping hand to boosting your activity of choice . Why not encourage friends and family and get them involved with SUP ? Motivationally speaking , sunny skies mean more likelihood of them taking you up on your offer . And should they decide to purchase SUP equipment or get a lesson , you ‘ ve done your job . Another convert to the cause . Also , why not show them a copy of this mag for further inspiration ? It all ‘ adds to the pot ‘.

I ‘ ll shut up now . You get the idea . I ‘ m off to enjoy the weather , from atop a board , of course ! Enjoy the latest issue of SUP Mag UK , and see you on the water ... To subscribe in print go to : standuppaddlemag . co . uk / subscribe /

Thanks to our advertisers :

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Gear Shed featuring :

Mistral , Aqua Marina , Indiana , Bluefin , Palm Equipment , Jobe , McConks , ZebraOasis , Vango , Wildthings & Bloomsbury Publishing , Indiana , O ’ Shea , Sroka , FacePlant , Spinlock , Ainsworth , Adventure Books , Saltrock & Ticket to the Moon .

Thanks as always to the many contributors , writers , photographers , advertisers and brands who support SUP Mag UK . We couldn ‘ t do this without you . Tez Plavenieks , June 2023

To subscribe in digital go to : https :// joom . ag / VvPd

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishing parent company , 2b Graphic Design Ltd . The publishing of an advertisement in SUP Mag UK does not necessarily mean that the parent company , 2b Graphic Design Ltd , endorses the company , item or service advertised . All material in SUP Mag UK is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved . Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden .