SUP microadventures
Word and photos : Richard Harpham and Ashley Kenlock of Canoe Trail
SUP ’ ing has been part of the paddling revolution we have been witnessing and enjoying for many years now . It has made paddling more accessible and caught the imagination of thousands of new paddlers with iSUPs ( inflatable SUP ’ s leading the way ). It is a little like when roto-moulded kayaks were introduced for those from my era , accelerating the sport forward from fibreglass and woodcraft . It has made me wonder why we didn ’ t get this sorted sooner with near-perfect hindsight and as a former windsurfer . The origins of the sport can be traced back thousands of years ago to river men and women paddling standing up with poles and paddles around the planet we call home .
To couple SUP with micro-adventure is about getting out and embracing smaller adventures today , tomorrow , next week , wherever you are . Alastair Humphreys , a seasoned adventurer and all-round top lad , was awarded National Geographic Adventurer of the year in 2012 for his book Micro Adventures # microadventures and enlightened approach , which became a game-changer for many . Despite having cycled around the world for 4 ½ years , he wanted to share the concept of smaller local and more achievable adventures day today . For me , like many paddlers and outdoor types , I think we had always sought such adventures , but this has at least made it more mainstream . Everywhere you read the word SUP , you can replace it with kayaks , canoes , inflatable craft or even a coracle .
There are many different ways to grab a microadventure , including using public transport to simplify an A to B journey , circular routes , a mixed bag of modes , e . g . hike and swim or cycle and packraft . The adventure can be supplemented by conjuring up simple campfire treats by baking on reflector ovens . Even sleeping arrangements can be varied from tree swinging ( hammocks ) to ground-dwelling ( tents and shelters ). I have been giddy with excitement to try one of the new Tentsile tree tents , something of a revolution thinking back to my Scouting days of heavy patrol tents made of canvas and wooden poles .
My SUP adventuring coincided with my New York Spare Seat Expedition in 2012 from Niagara Falls to the Statue of Liberty , where I met Cody White , who , like many , came to paddle and shared our journey . He arrived on a stunning hardboard SUP , and I found myself developing immediate curiosity and envy as he glided across the water . The following year we attempted to paddle around Mallorca together in December , self-supported on two Naish boards . It was an ambitious plan given the worst storms in 10 years and waves over 2.5m , and strong winds . Despite this , there was absolute freedom to loading two weeks of kit onto a board and paddling off to explore and embrace adventure . Catch up with the adventure here :
https :// standuppaddlemag . co . uk / exploringmallorca-by-sup /
SUP IN THE UK Closer to home , our SUP Micro adventures have been a constant source of paddling joy . From short trips at new destinations through to more extensive overnight camping trips , they help to feel alive . As Alastair put it in his book , focus on 5 to 9 , not 9 to 5 !
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