SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers July 2014 lo-res - free to read | Page 22

We got on the water later than planned so
when we got to the rapid, the tide was
already dropping and making it huge!
Gordon paddles a hybrid sit on top kayak
designed for coastal paddling – deeper and
drier than conventional SOTs and with
generous gear storage. Nice and stable, it
handled the rapid easily. Richard in his sea
kayak didn’t fare so well and was thrown
onto the rocks resulting in a swim. No real
damage or injury, luckily! I adopted the
kneeling position and attempted to run
through the middle but was also thrown into
the water. Not a problem on a SUP because
you just climb straight back on.

A back up SUP paddle and kayak paddle
comes with me on every expedition. There is
always the possibility that waves and wind
could become too much to handle standing.
If they do, I can fall back on essentially
kayaking my SUP. Sitting is only done as a
last resort because it’s just not comfortable
or as much fun.
The type of SUP you use is a massive
consideration. You really need something
that is seaworthy and can handle a mix of
conditions. The standard all round stand up
paddle board design is not ideal because of
the flat bottom. Ocean going boards are
more arched through the hull and usually
bigger in volume and length – the bigger,
the better in my opinion.
For this trip I got my hands on a one-off
custom Richmond Carbon 16ft – specially
designed to handle big chop/swell with gear
on board. The Richmond was also supplied
by Nick Watt of TheSUPStore.co.uk. (Thanks
for thinking of me!)
You can keep up to date with
Dave’s paddling adventures by
visiting http://ukpaddlesports.
freeforums.org/

And we're off...
Our trip started on the fresh water of Loch
Shiel at Acharacle. Acharacle is at the
southern end of Loch Shiel and the start of
possibly one of the shortest rivers in the UK.
The river runs for about three miles, then
drops down a huge rapid into the sea – Loch
Moidart.
Three of us – Gordon, Richard and myself –
met on Monday morning, when we planned
to meet the high tide at Loch Moidart. High
water would mean the rapid is deeper so
much less fierce. It’s the whole of Loch and
River Shiel funnelling through a small gap
about five metres wide.

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As soon as we wer