SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers April 2014 lo-res free to read | Page 52

Do you have many river routes or
inland SUP areas or is it all about
the coast?
Yes we have plenty of both and we are always looking at new and
interesting routes and places to SUP as the surf isn’t for everyone. Last
year we paddled the 220km length of the Rio Tejo from the Spanish
border to the Lisbon Estuary. We had a small team and camped along
the way and on average SUPed 40-50km a day. It was the first time
anyone had ever paddled this on a SUP and I think we can safely say
that we know every inch of it now!

Stand up paddle travel is still a very
niche area, and yet SUPxscape seem
to attract large numbers of SUPers
every year – what’s your secret?
Simple business model really. We love SUP, we love introducing people
to SUP, we love SUPing with others and we are a 100% only SUP
Company.

What type of guests do you get
visiting – hard core SUP surfers,
long distance tourers, recreational
paddlers or a complete mix?
A complete mix from first timers to guys who want to get barrelled and
now we have seasoned SUPers coming to us to complete their
instructor training and take up the sport professionally.

Have you made any changes or added
anything extra to the SUPxscape
product for the coming 2014 season?
Becoming a training centre for the ASI is the biggest addition this year
but we are also working on some interesting downwinding and distance
paddling that will come online once everything is checked, double
checked and then checked some more.

We’ve had an unprecedented big wave
season in Northern Europe and
Portugal has taken a battering.
Describe what it’s like looking down
on the big wave spot of Nazare from
the cliffs above.
It’s just unreal and so consistently massive. Seeing the guys out there
getting towed in is spectacular but the risk factor is huge as there is
just so much water moving about. We were watching from the
lighthouse with the guys from Irish SUP Dublin the day Maya drowned
and had to be resuscitated on the beach (Google this – Ed). We have
seen first hand how dangerous it can be.

Ever tempted to get out there
yourself?
Nope! The ride length is where it’s at for me not the height. Ten foot is
pretty much big enough as getting hurt isn’t an option.

What does the SUPxscape crew do for
holidays? Where do you escape to?
Our holidays are usually travelling around Portugal SUPing new areas
but this year we are taking a week out to get married in Gibraltar and
have some chill time in Tarifa. We’re also both snowboarders and the
Pyrenees are only an eight hour drive from here so in the winter we
have one eye on the snow reports.

Sum up the SUPxscape experience in
three words.
SUP, sardines and Superbock!

Any final shout outs, thanks or
mentions?
Tania Nesbitt and Will Anido from the Academy of Surfing Instructors
John Hibbard @ Tushingham UK
Adam Stiling @ Stylo Sports for supplying us with ZRE paddles
Xavi Masde @ Coreban Boards
Paul @ Irish SUP Dublin
Chris and Stacey from Central SUP
Rik Garratt @ Whasup.co.uk
And all the clients, suppliers, friends and family who have believed in
what we do.

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