SUP Mag UK May 2015 issue 5 | Page 8

What type of conditions do you like for stand up? Any plans to hit up any of your favourite kayak haunts and charge them SUP style? You understand the need for high performance paddling kit so how does the current crop of SUP gear (that you've tried) stack up? I’m into SUP surfing most so glassy right handers are the dream. The Kaituna is a real fun river to SUP and I reckon I’m getting the hang of white water stood up. I need to get my hands on an inflatable board when I get back to the UK. I’ve got my eye on the Lee Valley white water course – the one built for London 2012 Olympics – that definitely goes on my SUP list. Totally got that. The boards and paddles I’ve used seem pretty on it. Manufacturers seem to have their heads around composite construction and are producing decent stuff. I think SUPers could benefit from getting some kayaking kit though. When I use my SUP on a river I always use my PeakUK kayaking river guide PFD (personal floatation device). It has a quick release harness which is perfect for attaching your leash to, heaps of storage space for essentials and keeps you afloat when you stack it. Plus I usually use my PeakUK Creeker one piece dry suit when it gets nippy. Most people imagine some super heavy duty diving dry suit but they are real lightweight and easy to paddle in. It’s much more pleasant than being in a soggy wetty – especially when the wind picks up. Does sweeping round on a SUP help with your kayaking - if so, what are the benefits? Big time! The edging and balance aspects transfer pretty directly. Good core stability is key in both so they play off each other well Ta l k t o u s a b o u t t h e S U P g e a r you're rocking and why you chose those particular pieces of equipment. I have an 8.5ft x 32” surf SUP. My mate Bernd Sommer shaped it. He’s a kayak legend who has made kayak paddles for ages and just started shaping boards and making SUP paddles. It’s a one off but it works pretty well for me. As someone immersed in the pro paddle sports world what's the general opinion, within your circles, of stand up paddle boarding? Do you and your fellow boaters reckon it's going to be as big as predicted? Yeah! Most people in the kayaking world (including me)