SUP Mag UK October 2020 issue 27 | Page 8

SUPport
: verb – to give encouragement to someone because you want him or her to succeed

SUPport

: verb – to give encouragement to someone because you want him or her to succeed

By Sarah Thornely ( Supjunkie )

Others are complete singletons and train and paddle alone ( I used to be one of those too !) In the words of Claire White , “ I have to motivate myself daily , and sometimes it ’ s hard always to feel motivated to get out on the water , or if you are having a bad mental health day , to force yourself out when you know it will help you !” One thing that was clear though was that when these paddlers got to an event , be it racing or otherwise , our lovely SUP community fully supported them ! From Jade Rogers , “ That ’ s why it ’ s awesome that the paddling community is so friendly and welcoming – showing up to the first season of events alone and knowing no-one was a bit daunting . Glad I did it tho .”
Having recently verbalised the support I have from my husband Antony whilst trying to juggle four Instagram accounts , two Facebook , my work for GBSUP and UKN1SCO , running Supjunkie , sharing news for the SUP community , trying to get on the water as much as possible AND spend time with my family , it made me wonder how other paddleboarders managed . We all have different lives , challenges , families or not – it ’ s a big ask to be able to get out there to train or just paddle socially .
Naturally , husbands , wives and partners were high on the list of supporters , and the shout outs for them were enormous . We all love different sports , and you may not be lucky enough for your significant other to enjoy SUP as much as you do so being considerate of each other is paramount . Antony loves road cycling ( I know , I know – lycra-clad nonsense !) and we CAN generally manage to be independent in our activities , I grab the van and shoot off to the coast whilst he cycles locally or comes with me and cycles home . I have grown-up children , am retired ( well I thought I was !), so we manage pretty well and count ourselves as incredibly lucky .
Families
I genuinely admire other families who have small children and full-time jobs . I guess that ’ s where early starts and excellent time management comes in . I have often seen SUPM editor Tez at the coast in the early hours testing kit – he doesn ’ t hang around – gets the job done and then back home to his young family and work .
Some couples paddle together literally ! Allistair Swinsco and Alison Rennie paddleboard a tandem SUP – now that is one smart way to keep paddling and adventuring together ! Great teamwork !
Clubs
So , who else apart from family ? For me , it ’ s been my club , the very club I have paddled with since I started . They taught me to paddle ; they advised me what kit to buy , they provide me with some of the best adventure paddling and fun trips ,, encouraged me to keep going through the winter , supported me when I was the only one racing and are just generally a fantastic bunch of people ! So , I do have to mention them don ’ t I – thank you Brian Johncey and The Real Blue Chip SUPer Club !
There are some fantastic clubs around the country so let ’ s give a mention to the ones whose names continually cropped up ! Northern SUP Race Team , Central SUP and Team SUP featuring one of the best supporters of her team in the country , Cassie Salter – if you haven ’ t seen Cassie on the start and finish line of a race then you need too – verbal and musical instrument support and huge hugs all round ! Check out the GBSUP National Series website for your local club .
Friends
We all have them , and sometimes they paddle or don ’ t – sometimes you can encourage them to join you and sometimes not ! Rest assured you will make new ones at your club or events across the country and being like-minded and fond of the water ; they will last a lifetime ! I have two distinct sets of friends – those who do and those who don ’ t , and it doesn ’ t make them any less of a friend , just different .
I have met some incredible friends through SUP , and they too have given me a tremendous amount of support for which I am incredibly grateful . Two ‘ old guards ’ of SUP , Martin Barlow and Karl Hobbs are great buddies and have tremendous mutual respect . Karl , “ But it would be very bad if I didn ’ t mention my fellow ‘ coffin dodger ’ Martin who I have raced , trained , travelled and at times been led astray by .” And from Martin , “ Of course the support , team spirit and humour
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