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

Will SUP explode and
which areas of the
sport need attention
to help increase
growth?
I’m not so sure we’ll see an
explosion as much as a
sustained growth. Racing is
going from strength to
strength and recreational
paddling will only get bigger
as more folks realise what a
fun thing it is to do. SUP
surfing and downwind
paddling will grow too, but
these are more technically
demanding and I imagine
we’ll see growth there as the
average level of paddlers
increases. Perhaps we’ll be
looking back at these years as
‘The Golden Age of SUP’ before
the masses ruined it all!

What mode of wave sliding
transport do you choose
(mostly) for riding at Crantock
and your surrounding spots?
Do you still surf as much or is
it more about stand up
paddling these days?
I have everything from a 5.7ft groveler
surfboard to a 14ft downwind board in or on
the van. I’ll take what’s best for the
conditions or my mood on any particular
day. I’ve sort of stopped distinguishing
between surfing and SUP surfing – it’s all
just riding waves.

What’s your ideal SUP wave –
at home or abroad?
I like to ride the same sorts of waves on
SUPs as I do on surfboards.
A bit of push and some room to move. But if
it’s head high then that’s fine too. Generally
my favourite wave is the one I’m on.

Although you love Crantock,
and Cornwall in general, would
you rather be elsewhere or are
you happy to stay put now?
What, if anything, would
tempt you back overseas?
As much as I miss the Canaries I’m so tied
to this area through professional and family
connections that I can’t see another period
of living overseas soon. One thing that was
negative about the Canaries is that you
don’t want to leave such an idyllic life and
consequently you miss out on some other
opportunities. I only made my first visit to
Ireland this year – the 44 year old Irish
virgin!

You own Crantock Surf School,
which offers a diverse group of
activities. Surfers can
sometimes be narrow minded
and closed off to any other
form of watersport. What made
you decide to offer SUP and
kayaking alongside surfing?
Well I was already heavily involved in SUP
when I took the school on so that was a
natural step as the Gannel is probably the
best location for SUP on the Cornish North
Coast. The Gannel kayak tour we do has
turned into something more in depth. I try
to tell visitors about the history, flora, fauna,
Cornish place name meanings and the like.
They seem to enjoy it and I enjoy offering
something unique in this part of Cornwall.
Sit on tops are great with a little bit of care
and safety – another avenue for people not
attracted to surfing to enjoy the water.

Which is the most popular
sport at your school and,
broadly, what type of person
do you get coming along on
your sessions – kids, families,
young adults, ladies or other?
The school’s clientele is really families whilst
my higher end stuff is small groups and
individuals who have already some
investment in their chosen sport. Surfing is
still king. SUP is growing slowly and the kayak
tour is always fully booked, but then we only
work with small groups to preserve quality
and safety standards. I’m very interested in
higher end coaching and training both in SUP
and surfing and shall be introducing more
involved one off or periodic clinics with
specific goals. Watch this space!

Do you have any burning
stand up paddle boarding
ambitions to knock off your
bucket list – waves or other?
I’m itching to get to Ireland, Scotland and
the North East more. I don’t think it’s
compulsory to go to Hawaii for your big wave
fix or even credibility. Look at Al Mennie, a
world class big wave guy who’s never set foot
in Hawaii. I’m also suffering from a
downwind problem; I guarantee it’ll get
under your skin and become an obsession.

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