SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers July 2014 lo-res - free to read | Page 21

It was on a trip to Mull a
few years back that I first
got a taste of exploring the
wilder parts of the coast on
a stand up paddle board.
As I swept along the Sound Of Mull on my
Starboard Big Easy, I started to think how
nice it would be to do a proper multi day
expedition – sort of sea kayak style but
standing. The perfect way to explore the
wonderful wilds of the Scottish coast?
A few weeks later I was back in the area with
my friend Gordon (Crow) from
songofthepaddle.co.uk. I had a more
suitable SUP, a Starboard Point to Point
14.8ft, on loan from TheSUPStore.co.uk and
all the lightweight kit I needed. Thirteen
kilos in all, including food.

We paddled 80 miles, over four nights,
taking in Lismore, Mull and Oronsay.
Crossing the Firth of Lorne and the Sound of
Mull and onwards into Loch Sunart. It was
an amazing adventure cruising around the
Hebridean Islands for days on a SUP.

Ardnamurchan
A few years later our next big adventure was
a circumnavigation of the Ardnamurchan
Peninsula. Gaelic – Àird nam Murchan –
meaning Headland of the Great Seas.
The Point is the furthest westerly part of
mainland UK. Even further west than Land’s

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End, it is exposed to some seriously big seas
and winds. There is also a huge volcanic
crater on Ardnamurchan – clearly visible
from the air.
To paddle a SUP around Ardnamurchan
would require some hefty planning and a
certain amount of luck! Ours would come in
the form of high pressure bringing light and
favourable winds (mostly) for the journey.
Planning really involves getting the tides
right, so we needed them in our favour. To
just head out there and attempt a trip
around Ardnamurchan without knowing
what weather and tide are doing would
virtually be suicidal. Food and water supply
is also a consideration. You need to have
just the right amount. Too much and it adds
unnecessary extra weight, too little and you
may run out – which would be disastrous.

Google map Ardnamurchan

It's not ideal carrying all the water you need
either. That would mean taking about 20

kilos of liquid on board, which is not an
option. I use a water filter in the form of a
Lifesaver Bottle – an amazing bit of kit that
can turn stagnant fresh water into the
drinking type in a few seconds.
Safety gear is essential. First aid kit, VHF
radio, signal mirror, personal locator beacon
(PLB), hi-vis vest or hat and buoyancy aid
(PFD). Spending days on end in a wetsuit is
not comfortable or practical and it means
carrying dry clothes on board for evening
wear. I use a drysuit which means more
warmth, comfort and no need to bring
spares.

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To just head out there and
attempt a trip around
Ardnamurchan without
knowing what weather
and tide are doing would
virtually be suicidal.