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SUPM, I was excited and invested – we made a great team with Tez, who was brimming with energy and enthusiasm for the project; he had feet on the ground, more importantly, feet on the board. Thank you, Tez, and thanks to your lovely family who have travelled this journey with you and with us. Peter your beautiful design of 47 issues of SUPM has never disappointed, words and pictures become magic at your fingertips. Thank you for your talents, tenacity, creativity and unwavering love and patience( well sometimes, we are married after all😊).
Over the months and years, issue by issue, a magazine rich in variety and diversity of content was created to serve the widest range of paddlers, from complete beginners to the experts. SUPM has been quite a journey, a rollercoaster, but never dull – I think we can be proud of how we have worked hard to serve the SUP community.
So many people On a personal level, I would like to thank so many people. Especially in those early years, as I rucked up to as many events as humanly possible to get on a board, make friends and promote the new magazine.
Two people stood out from the very beginning. Dave White was enormously supportive of us; we will forever be grateful to him. His photography was first-class, he generously shared his images and time, and his articles were knowledgeable and loved by all. To Paul Hyman, you made us feel so welcome and introduced us to many in the industry. The events you hosted were worldclass and oh so memorable.‘ Stand up for the Cure,’ a 2014 charity event, was a cross- London paddle with a sea of fancy dress. Pink tutus as far as the eye could see set off from Paddington Basin through Little Venice. Funds were raised for this great breast cancer charity, and lifelong friendships were forged. Time and again, I would drag friends or family along to try this‘ fantastic’ thing, saying,“ You have to try it.” No one escaped. Louise was the victim that day!
So many events One particular event on the Thames,‘ the London Crossing’, in September 2018, was never to be forgotten, let’ s just say there
was weather … lots of weather! Thank you Paul, I don’ t think I have ever felt that cold, or wet, no regrets though!
So many precious memories and several hilarious moments come to mind. On Inflation Day at Blue Chip, I was clambering awkwardly onto a board, not realising I was back to front. I disappeared off the jetty in front of Scott Warren. Scott has been a friend to SUPM through the years. I re-emerged like a drowned rat from the water to be greeted by kindness. Years later, at Alton Water, Scott kindly loaned me a board to paddle. I just hysterically giggled, pure fear. This thing of beauty was so narrow, and let’ s say my skill level did not quite match up. That day, Wilma came to my side and somehow got me to the finish line. The camaraderie of SUP people knows no bounds.
The wonderful Battle of the Thames events organised by Angela, Brian and their team are etched in my brain, being rescued by the chivalrous Captain Karl as the strong winds were sending me Kingston bound, or the other BOTT race where I completely missed the exit point and continued for another round to come in last … there’ s always one, and it was usually me. Then there were the wacky, wonderful N1SCO series races that the lovely Alex Tobutt and his team created: that was their first dip in the sea in sunny Weymouth. Superb memories. Right from the beginning, the community at each event was all about inclusion, participation, fun, learning, laughter and friendship. What’ s not to love?
So many places The events with mass participation, where over 1,000 people on the water attempted to break the Guinness World Record, were so cool. The opening of the Wave Garden in North Wales, organised by the guys at Tushingham and Starboard Team, was amazing. The night before, Zane and Izzy were there and kindly shared chips with Aidan and me at the foot of the Welsh hills, which was surreal. Aidan, our son, was my co-pilot on long drives to SUP events, even then his photographic and video skills were impressive but most of all he was calm and supportive no matter how lost, panicked or scared I was feeling. He was, and always will be my rock.
There, I did my first-ever interview with Casper Steinfarth, a legend and joy to speak to. A‘ Titanic’ like experience followed when I was allowed onto the water in the company of these giants of SUP, to spend more time under the water relocating my equipment and my dignity than on the board. Still, I would not change it for the world. Later at the world champs at Excel London, we met and interviewed Kai Lenny and other international stars of SUP.
So many women The race scene was becoming a thing. Early on, I met Sarah; there could never be enough great words to describe what Sarah Thornely has contributed to SUP and SUPM. She has introduced so many fascinating people who have generously shared their epic adventures, dreams, and schemes in SUP. Just a few that come to mind are Jordan Wylie, Brendon Prince, and Simon Hutchinson. Sarah was instrumental, through SUPjunkie, and her passion for the race scene, in bringing countless women paddlers to prominence in SUPM, like legendary Anni Ridsdell-Smith and many more.
Latterly, we were blessed when the awardwinning author, SUP Ambassador and allround adventurer Jo Moseley came on board with her‘ SUP for Good’ column. Through her outreach, we have been able to highlight the work of so many groups and organisations demonstrating the enormous positive difference SUP makes in people’ s lives. Thank you to Sam Rutt for the day on the water in Ely towards the end of Covid; it was a privilege and joy to get to paddle with you. Thank you to Emma Love for all the brilliant interviews you carried out with the SUP ambassadors. We love all our contributors.
To our advertisers, we could not have done it without you. Special thanks to those who have been with us over the last couple of years, during which, as we know, trading conditions have not been the easiest.
Last but not least my deepest thanks to Rachael and all the team at First Mailing for your wonderful service and support. To the fantastic team at Manson’ s printers, Chris, Frazer and the production team including your hardworking delivery personnel, thank you for producing our mags, great job.
Inevitably, I am only recalling a handful of the marvellous memories, so forgive me if I have not mentioned you. If I ever worked with you or paddled with you, you will stay in my heart.
See you on the water So, before I sign off, I wish everyone many more happy days on the water. I hope to see you there myself in times to come. If you spot someone being blown down a windy river, this time hopefully facing the right direction, with a big smile on my face, that will probably be me. I will be having a wonderful time, lots of love, Anne.