SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers April 2014 lo-res free to read | Page 10

The heart
Words and photos: Chris Kenyon

One of the most pleasurable
parts of stand up paddling is
being able to head off and
explore new places.
This is made even easier with an iSUP as we
can pack kit down and transport it with total
ease to pretty much any destination we
choose. When I first started paddling, and
indeed surfing, part of the essence of being
on the water was that of travelling and the
inbuilt need to experience new places.
Living in the middle of the country doesn’t
give easy access to waves but we do have an
abundance of waterways – all perfect for
stand up adventures and touring. After all,
SUP is super diverse and therefore perfect
for anywhere with access to canals, rivers,
lakes or even duck ponds – it’s not just a
coastal pastime.

Picture the scene
Let me ask you to imagine something: it’s
early morning, you pick up your paddle and
launch your board onto the river you will
have seen many times. Perhaps on the way
to work you’ve thought what it would be like
to SUP here, but up until this point you have
not experienced it.
As early morning dawns a sense of freedom
descends and you feel at peace. Putting the
blade into the water and heading off,
everything feels just right. Moving with the
flow you take in the majestic scenery that
unfolds before your eyes. There is a sense of
calm which is punctuated by the sound of

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your board quietly cutting through the water
as you head further into the unknown. The
sensation of gliding in the middle of the
countryside seems unreal but feels great.
Nothing matters now – it’s just you, the
water and your surroundings.
That to me is probably the best written
description I can give you about SUP
adventuring, but if you’re reading this then
you already know what I'm talking about.
You’re probably imagining your last stand
up journey and where it led right now at this
very second.

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