4 Tell us about your aspirations and goals – how far do you want to take your SUP career?
I would love to push my paddling to a professional level. I have a dream to one day compete in the Euro Tour and the Stand Up World Series.
5 How many events have you competed in to date and what’ s your best result so far?
I started competing in racing last year as a junior, raced at Battle of the Rock in Jersey, Carbis Bay Euro Tour, N1SCO Worlds, Exe Hammer, Waterborn UK SUP Clubs and Watergate SUP Surf Nationals, and enjoyed them all immensely. This year, although having only just turned 16, I decided to compete in the men ' s events, as I felt it would push me more. In the UK SUP Clubs Series I have competed in Battle of the Thames( coming 6th 12 ' 6), BaySUP Technical( 2nd 12 ' 6) and Lake Windermere( 2nd 12 ' 6). I also competed in the ICON Downwind Race in July and finished 1st 12 ' 6, and the only junior to enter.
6 Do you think you could mix it up with the international big guns? If so do you have any plans to compete internationally?
That ' s all I want to do. I can ' t wait. No plans at the moment, but maybe next year.
7 Where do you see UK SUP in the next few years? Do you think there’ ll be a defined pathway for you paddlers like you anytime soon?
I think there will be massive growth in numbers and events.
9 Surfing and skateboarding recently got accepted into the Olympics. Do you think stand up will follow? If it did get in, would you fancy a shot at a medal?
I definitely think stand up racing has the potential, maybe a 200m or 1000m like flat water kayaking and canoeing. It could all happen on the rowing lakes. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of any athlete ' s career. A shot at a medal at the Olympics is a dream for me, and it would be a super awesome achievement! Stand up surfing unfortunately I cannot see coming so soon, maybe I am wrong.
10How much training to do you do? Or is it more about simply getting out on the water and having fun?
Never as much as I would like to due to time. It ' s always fun on the water whether training, surfing or competing.
11What kit are you using and why?
For surfing, the awesome Starboard 7 ' 4 Pro combined with the Starboard Enduro carbon paddle. It ' s a surfboard you can paddle.
For racing, the Starboard 12 ' 6 x 25.5 Race. It ' s a morph of the Sprint and the All Star. Combined with the insane Starboard Bolt race paddle. It ' s the perfect combination for me.
12How did your sponsorship deal come about and what do you have to do in return?
I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time, at the right age. In return I get to ride the best boards in the world. Thanks Starboard
8 Will SUP be bigger than surfing do you think?
Who knows. It ' s looking pretty good at the moment. Some North Devon breaks on a good day are getting to 50 / 50.
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