SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers April 2014 lo-res free to read | Page 62

Race face time!
Pics Justin Morris/NWF

There’s been some full on racing going
down over the last few months. Just
because winter has been in effect doesn’t
meant everybody packs up their speed
machines and hibernates. The Frostbite
Race Series has been going from strength
to strength and, as we go to print, the
winners are being decided. Let’s not
forget the Great Glen Paddle where
Fanatic rider Mark ‘Slasher’ Slater took
top honours after battling it out in some
tricky and Baltic conditions.
With summer proper hovering on the horizon
there’ll be an increasing number of race
events popping up in your ‘hood. All offer the
perfect opportunity to mingle with
likeminded sweepers, participate in some
(not so) friendly competition and see if you
can get one over on your mates.

SUP racing can be as serious as
you make it.
You could be the next big talent, with a super
charger boost of speed at just the right
moment. Likewise you may just want to
benchmark your skills and are happy
spooning from the centre of the pack. Mid
peloton battles can be the most fun you
can have on a stand up paddle board and
equally as exciting as passing the finishing
post in first.

By the time you read this, the Head of the
Dart will have taken place – a gathering
which has earned a prestigious reputation
since its inception a few years ago. Noted as
being one of the best races on the UK
calendar, anyone and everyone from the
scene makes the sojourn to Devon to do
battle. The fact that it’s also a super social
get together only adds to the vibe.

If you’ve mastered the
basics, fancy a bit of friendly
competition and banter with
likeminded individuals, love
the idea of paddling new
wa FW'2