Longboard SUP Surf at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Longboard SUP Surf at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Feb 25, 2017 | SUP Inspiration

Longboard SUP Surf at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Here’s Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co Team Rider, Al Reed, having some longboard SUP Surf fun on his Classic 9’11 SUP.

If you’re looking for a single SUP that’s as happy on flat water as it is on the waves, then the Classic 9’11 is a great choice.  At 31.5″ wide it’s forgiving and stable enough on the flat.  But with it’s rocker line and thinned out nose, tail and rails it also surfs like a classic longboard.  Al Reed has been UK South Coast Longboard Champion for 13 years, as well as British Masters Longboard Surf Champion.  He loves riding his Freshwater Bay Classic 9’11 in anything from knee high rollers to double overhead reef breaks.

The Freshwater Bay 9’11 SUP also comes in Classic Blue and White as well as Paulownia Wood Veneer, with the same great shape and longboard SUP Surfing ability!

Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co bamboo longboard SUP Surf
Choices, choices – iSUP Vs Solid SUP

Choices, choices – iSUP Vs Solid SUP

Feb 25, 2017 | SUP Advice

So, iSUP Vs Solid SUP: apart from the obvious differences – one type of stand up paddle board being filled with air, the other being a hard shell SUP – what exactly are the differences in terms of performance between and inflatable and hard SUP? Here Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co. looks at the pros and cons of both designs.
Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co Classic 10'6 SUP and 12'6 iSUP at Priory Bay Isle of Wight

Inflatable SUP

Air filled boards are the most popular type of SUP in the UK and Europe, and this doesn’t look like changing. If you stop and think about it the advantages are tangible.

SUPs are by their very nature big and cumbersome. Anything that can alleviate the strain of storage and transport is going to be welcome. iSUPs are particularly popular for families, city dwellers and/or those with limited options in terms of transport. Overseas travel also plays a big part, although with stand up paddling still a fledgling sport there aren’t huge numbers of riders flying abroad with kit – yet.

Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co 10'6 inflatable iSUP UK
Freshwater Bay Paddleboard inflatable iSUP bag

IAs long as your inflatable SUP is manufactured from top line material (most commonly double layer Dropstitch or Fusion technology like Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co.’s inflatable’s are) then you should have a hard wearing rigid vehicle. This will transfer directly to better tracking (going in a straight line), glide (momentum from each stroke) and in some cases stability, although other factors do come into play here. Thickness should also be considered. In cases of long or particular wide iSUPs increasing the board’s thickness can help with rigidity.

A stable, non-bendy inflatable SUP will be much more fun to use.  If you’re a tentative surfer then you’ll have a better experience (yes, you can surf inflatables in small waves), while your general all round paddling will also improve. Paddle strokes with a stiff iSUP will be much more efficient than using something akin to a banana. Beware of cheap iSUPs on the market as these don’t have the rigidity required for an enjoyable, and even safe, ride.

There are a few compromises with iSUPs though. PVC material, which most are made from, does ‘stick’ to the water slightly so speed isn’t quite as fast. Inflatables are also at the mercy of breezy conditions and the ‘bounce’ factor is more than a hard board. That said they can be a good option for many.

Freshwater Bay Paddleboard 11'5 touring iSUP

Solid SUPs

While hard stand up paddle boards are always going to be more cumbersome to transport, store and move about, they’re still the best choice for paddlers looking to get the most efficiency from their paddling. Even when starting to SUP, a hard shell board will be much more reactive. It will deliver a truer sense of what’s going on under your feet and complete moves – whether flat water pivot turns or carves on wave faces – much more efficiently.

Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co 10'6 Classic SUP Isle of Wight
Although Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co. doesn’t offer a touring/race SUP (yet) this area is still the realm of hard boards for those who want to cover the most ground as quickly as possible. Inflatable technology is no doubt getting better but the fastest kit (as long as the paddler is also fast) remains the domain of hard SUPs, just…

Waves, in particular, highlight the benefits of being on a hard SUP. When a rider engages a rail/fin an epoxy SUP reacts almost instantly and delivers the redirect paddlers have in mind. It’s then down to he/she to draw lines as they intend, the only limiting factor being personal paddling/surfing skill.

When SUP racing, even on all water round nose boards, the benefits of hard stand up boards remain glaringly obvious. Hammer down with a high stroke cadence, plus efficient and refined paddle stroke, will see SUPers flying on a hard shell board. That said, if you’re out for simple fun on the water then all this talk of performance will have no real bearing – you’ll be having as much fun with either iSUP or hard shell machine. And that’s the way it should be…

For more info on any of Freshwater Bay Paddleboard Co.’s range of boards please don’t hesitate to give us a shout. Check out the rest of our range here – https://freshwaterbaypaddleboards.co.uk

Seasons of SUP

Feb 21, 2017 | SUP Advice

Learning to SUP during Autumn and Winter

Learning to stand up paddle board when the sun’s rays are strong, and with water temperatures on the rise, make for a much more enticing picture when considering a new watersport. By its very nature – i.e. you’re likely to get wet – learning the basics of SUP will most likely result in riders taking a dunking (at least once or twice). We appreciate this can be off putting when autumn and winter swing in, but it doesn’t need to be. There are ways to combat the effects of Mother Nature during the off season. By picking your day, area and attire there’s no reason not to keep on paddling – as a beginner or intermediate – through colder months. In fact, if you’ve seen SUP and fancy a bash for the first time, then don’t think you have to wait until spring to give it a go.

Weather

Forget trying to learn how to paddle when it’s blowing a gale, the temperature is sub-zero, or it’s chucking it down with rain. As much as enthusiasm is great, these types of weather won’t add anything to your overall enjoyment levels. Winter SUP UK Stand up paddle Fortunately the UK has a relatively mild climate and even during autumn and winter warmer, calmer days can be found.  Learn to interpret forecasts and make choices accordingly. Also don’t be afraid to cancel your SUP session if it’s not looking good – there’s no point going out if you’re not going to enjoy it, so just wait for a better weather window to enjoy your paddle board experience.

Location

If you’re a complete beginner then heading for exposed, deep tidal waters on your own isn’t advisable. We’re fortunate to have an abundance of shallow, sheltered locations that are much more applicable to learning the fundamentals of SUP – even during the off season. inflatable SUP boards UK Also worth considering that some locations, if chosen correctly, can help with point one. Some launch areas, for instance, can offer respite from adverse weather and provide a way to get afloat regardless – try and find those sheltered spots.  It’s also worth finding a paddle buddy for those first paddles, in case you run into any problems.
SUP Attire
Modern wetsuits are phenomenal these days. With a quality neoprene suit, and associated accessories – gloves, hood and booties – you’ll have all the protection you need for winter SUPing. We’ll admit that shelling out initially may seem daunting – especially if you’re not 100% about committing to SUP. But if you’re buying a board and want to use it through Winter, then at some point you’ll need to purchase a suit. If you’re not sure to start with, then it’s worth hiring or hitting up your local SUP school. SUP isle of wight newtown creek For colder stand up paddling you’d also be wise to have a set of warm clothes to hand for post-SUP. You may think your body temperature hasn’t dropped during the on water part of your day but you’d be surprised – especially in a cold wind. Once adrenaline wears off you may quickly become a shivering soggy mess without warm gear.
Safety
Consider the safety aspect of your paddling – especially important if you’re not as experienced as you’d like to be. As already mentioned you’d be wise to SUP with others during initial forays into SUP. Most importantly, wear a leash! We can’t reiterate this enough. Without scaremongering there have been a raft of incidents of paddlers losing their board – your main means of floatation! Having a good quality leash is a way to prohibit this.  It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, at some point we all fall off. And when we do, it’s paramount to be able to get back to your board quickly. Leashes can save lives! Stand up paddle safety
Get a lesson
Having the enthusiasm for learning to SUP in autumn/winter/spring is something we salute – there’s absolutely no reason not to, with a bit of prior planning and prep. That said, the learning process will be accelerated greatly if you choose to have a few lessons with an experienced, qualified instructor. Many forget that SUP is a technique led sport. Lessons will show you the correct stance, paddle technique and some basic self-rescue. With someone showing you the quickest route possible to success your confidence and overall happiness factor will greatly increase. Plus, they’ll have all the above safety points covered so you don’t have to think about them – you can just head out and have fun. So if you want to learn to SUP, don’t let the colder weather put you off.  By picking the right spot and appropriate conditions you can even find it a more tranquil experience, without the hoardes that descend on the beaches and waterways during the warmer months.  There’s nothing more exhilarating than being in the Great Outdoors when others are warming by the fire, the satisfying sense of achievement in donning your wetsuit and heading out there! What are you waiting for…?