SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers April 2014 lo-res free to read | Page 48

Reflections

Time to SUP!
Having launched I paddled into a channel,
then a small drop into a bubbling pool with an
eddy not big enough to fit my board.
Staggering to my feet and getting low I cleared
the first section. Before I could celebrate I was
setting up for my next obstacle – a narrow
rowdy channel just to the left.
Unfortunately, the first rapid pushes you far
right into jagged rocks and a solid beating so
I had to be agile. Laying back on my tail for a
quick pivot turn and a couple powerful strokes
I made it and cleared my first rapid –
confidence was high.
I was now ready to hit the big one – The
Falls of Tummel. This grand finale, an
exciting descent, amounting to 15 feet
altogether. There was power here – enough
to melt away all the confidence I had
acquired from the last rapid.
At this level the drops were very bony. If I
chose to do the whole set there was no room

It was the most
challenging, technical, and
beautiful river I’ve ever had
the privilege to SUP. These
rivers will mould you into
an extremely strong and
well-rounded paddler and I
only wish I could place this
spot in my own backyard in
Colorado.

for error. Falling meant plummeting down,
which could result in getting caught up on a
shark tooth rock. This would easily cut
through my drysuit and flesh. Deciding the
risk outweighed reward I opted to skip the
first drop and do the second.
Kevin put emphasis on getting as close to
that shark tooth rock without actually
hitting it. This was the safest line but all I
could hear was the roaring falls. My heart
was beating out of my chest and I was
scared. It was now or never!

It was encouraging to see
locals bringing the sport to
life and I can only hope I
added to their enthusiasm
and opened them up to the
never ending possibilities of
stand up paddle boarding.

I pushed off, aimed for the rock but I was
too close. My board clipped and sent me
flying. But I came up laughing, was
unharmed and ready to take it on again.

Thank you to Splash
Adventures for all their help
and sharing their love for
the river. Thanks also to
everyone else who made
this trip possible. I’ll be
back Scotland…

The next time I made it through the slot but
gravity, as well as the impact, worked
against me and I was swimming once
again. I was relentless, lapping the falls over
and over again but in the end the Falls of
Tummel won and sent me packing.

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