SUP Mag UK March 2015 issue 4 | Page 5

Jo Hamilton-Vale is certainly an i n s p i ra t i o n a l c h a ra c t e r. Having overcome a serious illness she discovered SUP and has been making a name for herself both on the domestic race circuit and international scene. Never one to rest on her laurels, she was confirmed to take the helm of UK SUP Clubs last year and will drive the organisation forward in 2015. We caught up with JHV to see what makes her tick. to ascertain who that competitor should be. Unfortunately in 2014 this race was cancelled one month before it was scheduled. Therefore they asked if they could use the UK SUP results to choose the team. In 2015 we will hopefully be holding a three race series to choose the national team. How do you feel driving such an organisation forward – what are your plans and aspirations for the UK SUP Clubs for 2015? In 2015 we are hoping to add a three race surf series, a three race series to find the GB team for 2016, hold a four race kids series and also help promote all races and events within the UK. My passion for growing the sport and giving it structure and credibility in the UK is extremely important to me and helps drive me forward. What aims have both organisations got in mind for UK SUP? We understand that UK SUP Clubs w i l l b e w o rk i n g w i t h B S U PA fo r t h e first time – how did that partnership come about? BSUPA have the link with Surfing GB to send a team to the ISA Worlds but have never held a race series to establish who should be attending. They have always just held one short race 5 s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k We are unable to state what BSUPA has in mind for SUP in the future. UK SUP will continue to facilitate and organise the National Race Series, with the addition of a surf series and kids’ race series. We will also be working closely with the clubs to promote all their events, races, demos and leisure paddles. We are also hoping to have two additional pages on our website, one that lists all the clubs in the UK and one detailing all events in the UK – not just race events. .