SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers July 2014 lo-res - free to read | Page 18

The pearl in the oyster
After experimenting with different strokes for a little while I decided
that it was time to get down to business, the real reason that I wanted
to SUP, the pearl in the oyster – time to catch a wave.

To m Pa t t i s o n
is brand manager for Perception Kayaks Europe but also
dabbles with SUP from time to time.

Unfortunately Sussex is not known as the Mecca of surfing, so unless
you’re prepared to travel to somewhere like Cornwall, you will need to be
ready to wait a little while until the conditions are favourable. And wait I
did, dreaming of charging down the face of a lovely clean wave,
executing a sweet bottom turn just like I’d seen the pros do, all the
while having the Hawaii Five-0 theme tune playing in my head. This
time, the bikini clad babes on the beach weren’t going to be laughing at
me, they would be blinded by the awesomeness.
The reality was a slightly different affair but nonetheless an enjoyable
one. After paddling out into some fairly small but clean waves I spotted
my peak coming in fast. With a nervous energy in my stomach, a few
quick strokes had the board in position, the wave picked me up and I was
off...for a swim! The grace and poise of the gentleman surfer was not
running through my veins but I was undeterred. Paddling back out I
spotted another wave coming my way and went for it. This time was a lot
more successful and I quickly found myself sliding smoothly down the
face, switching my foot position, leaning into a turn and it felt wonderful.
It was exactly the feeling I had dreamed of but possibly without the style
and grace. For the rest of the day I had the grin of a Cheshire cat that
could not be removed from my face.
It has been a little too windy for me to get out on the SUP recently and with
all the rain we have had over the last few months I’ve been back in my
kayak and exploring white water rivers, but I’m itching to get back on the
board as soon as I can. My plan for 2014 is to keep learning, improving my
balance, surf more waves and above all have fun on the water.
I don’t know whether having some knowledge of paddle sports gave me
an easier transition into SUP but I do know that my kayaking has
improved because of paddling a stand up. Jumping on the board and
going for a blast is also a great bit of exercise and beats going to the
gym any day. I heartily recommend that everyone, kayaker or not, at
least gives SUP a try once – but be ready to catch the bug because it’s
very addictive…
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