Paddle Boarding
Discussion
doesthiswork said:
Just bought a Fanatic 12'6" board, never been on one in my life. Any recommendations for buoyancy aids? I've been looking at Baltic or Yak, I guess I need something which isn't too bulky at the sides. I'm pretty sure I want a foam one, not CO2. Also, leashes - it comes with an ankle leash, should I swap it for a quick release waist one for river touring?
I don't use a buoyancy device myself. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't have one, I just can't recommend any particular one for you.Quick release leashes are recommended for river use though. And I'd definitely recommend you use a leash at all times, whatever water you happen to be paddling on.
RammyMP said:
The connect system is so you can tie a few of them together, if you’d want to do that?
Sounds like a gimmick to me. It would be quite easy to tie a few boards together using ropes tied to the carrying straps. I can't imagine I'd ever want to tie my board to another board though. I have a rope at all times when I'm out on the water because I can tie up to a suitable place (a bouy, dock or marina for example) if I need a rest. 
The leash is only to keep you attached to your board if you fall off. I just bought a nice long sleeve Mistral rash vest for approx £8.00. I'm hoping it will keep me reasonably warm which will enable me to get out on the sea sooner rather than later. I know rash vests aren't especially designed for warmth but I don't like to paddle in a wetsuit (I have a summer 'shorty' but even find that too constricting). And I'm afraid I'm one of those annoying people who never falls in the water so getting cold by being wet won't/shouldn't be an issue 
My hope is the vest will keep some wind chill off me whilst being light and comfortable enough to paddle whilst wearing it. With any luck, I'll be out on the water within a couple of weeks
My hope is the vest will keep some wind chill off me whilst being light and comfortable enough to paddle whilst wearing it. With any luck, I'll be out on the water within a couple of weeks
OutInTheShed said:
I find rashvests have near zero value against wind chill. If they get splashed they wick water and cool you very effectively.
Perhaps less of an issue on a board than on a sailing dinghy.
For canoeing, as with dinghy sailing, a 'spray top' is good 90% of the time, unfortunately breathable ones are normally north of fifty quid.
It's easy to get very cold as soon as things go a bit wrong, then things go very wrong very easily.
You can also get annoying cold if it rains while you're packing up or any time when exertion level drops, like waiting for people.
One option is a cheap pac-a-mac in comedy fatboy size so you can put it on over a BA and take it off again easily.
Ok. Thanks. I thought for £8.00, that I'd give it a try. If it doesn't do the job, I can always take it off and if all else fails, it will work as a 'layer' when I'm out on my Mountain Bike. Perhaps less of an issue on a board than on a sailing dinghy.
For canoeing, as with dinghy sailing, a 'spray top' is good 90% of the time, unfortunately breathable ones are normally north of fifty quid.
It's easy to get very cold as soon as things go a bit wrong, then things go very wrong very easily.
You can also get annoying cold if it rains while you're packing up or any time when exertion level drops, like waiting for people.
One option is a cheap pac-a-mac in comedy fatboy size so you can put it on over a BA and take it off again easily.
clarkmagpie said:
Late to the party.
Just bought a paddleboard and cant wait to try.
Wife and little one have been out a few times over the last year or so.
Coming from a snowboarding background, I am gong to be pretty disappointed when i keep falling in!
https://www.aquaplanetsports.com/products/aquaplan...
Purely because it has rainbow colours on and daughter loves rainbows!
Will try and provide updates,
In Cumbria so some great lakes here!
Better late than never. Coming from a snowboarding background you really should be disappointed if you ever fall in Just bought a paddleboard and cant wait to try.
Wife and little one have been out a few times over the last year or so.
Coming from a snowboarding background, I am gong to be pretty disappointed when i keep falling in!
https://www.aquaplanetsports.com/products/aquaplan...
Purely because it has rainbow colours on and daughter loves rainbows!
Will try and provide updates,
In Cumbria so some great lakes here!
I've done some snowboarding in the past but never really gelled with the sport. You'll find Paddle Boarding a completely different experience though but I'm sure you'll have fun. On lakes, it will be a relaxing experience. Enjoy the scenery and the calm of being on the water.
Looking forward to your updates
First time out on my SUP this year on what was a beautiful sunny afternoon. The water was a bit choppy and I was paddling against a strongish headwind but otherwise, it was a nice easy 5 hours on the water.
This ship hasn't moved for over 5 years. It's moored to trees and the one tree at the stern has fallen down. It's been 'resting' on the sea bed for a long time but has now moved a further 4 metres down the bank and is in a much more precarious position. There's no engine on board so it can't be moved under its own power. The owners have been informed and have said they'll try and secure it and pump out the water. I fear it will be an impossible job and wonder how long it will be until it sinks completely
Pics from last year:
Pic from yesterday:
This ship hasn't moved for over 5 years. It's moored to trees and the one tree at the stern has fallen down. It's been 'resting' on the sea bed for a long time but has now moved a further 4 metres down the bank and is in a much more precarious position. There's no engine on board so it can't be moved under its own power. The owners have been informed and have said they'll try and secure it and pump out the water. I fear it will be an impossible job and wonder how long it will be until it sinks completely
Pics from last year:
Pic from yesterday:
clarkmagpie said:
Well out for the first time yesterday.
Derwentwater in the Lakes.
Took longer than expected to blow the thing up.
Got to the water and with a fair few people about, it was quite daunting getting on for the first time.
A bit of a wobble but quickly found a comforatable position and off I went.
Got to an island half way across and moored it up and had 10 mins to get my breath back.
Then set off round the island.
Much quieter so with some confidence I got to standing position and felt steady.
Then hit some waves from a far off boat, wobble wobble splash!
A moment or 2 of panic, mainly due to having it leashed to my ankle so couldn't kick to swim, felt very unatural.
Once I relaxed, it was easy enough to get back on and i made it back to shore without any further incidents!
Quick summery
Harder than it looks
Really tranquil when on the water
Glad to have a wetsuit
Very glad I had a life jacket
Should have had suntan lotion!
Great. Derwentwater in the Lakes.
Took longer than expected to blow the thing up.
Got to the water and with a fair few people about, it was quite daunting getting on for the first time.
A bit of a wobble but quickly found a comforatable position and off I went.
Got to an island half way across and moored it up and had 10 mins to get my breath back.
Then set off round the island.
Much quieter so with some confidence I got to standing position and felt steady.
Then hit some waves from a far off boat, wobble wobble splash!
A moment or 2 of panic, mainly due to having it leashed to my ankle so couldn't kick to swim, felt very unatural.
Once I relaxed, it was easy enough to get back on and i made it back to shore without any further incidents!
Quick summery
Harder than it looks
Really tranquil when on the water
Glad to have a wetsuit
Very glad I had a life jacket
Should have had suntan lotion!
Check some of my previous posts in this thread with regard to your standing position. Having a slightly 'staggered' position should help you with your balance. And without wishing to state the obvious, if you're faced with 'waves' from a passing boat, try to head into them, rather than have them hit you from the side; until your balance improves, you can always go from the standing position to kneeling or sitting if a passing boat causes problems for you.
I'm assuming you're using a hand (double action) pump to inflate your SUP. If so, check that the valve on the pump is in the correct position. The valve will allow you to inflate on the up and down strokes when you start to inflate. It will therefore get a lot of air into the SUP quickly at the start of the inflation. Changing the position of the valve as inflation gets harder will enable you to get the final maximum pressure without too much difficulty. I've never really checked exactly how it takes me to inflate my SUP (14ft x 29" x 6") but inflating to between 18psi and 19psi can't take me more than 15 minutes.
sawman said:
anyone have any experience of the cheap, Mistral SUPs sold by lidl? (they are in the middle aisle this week)
I don't have any experience with Mistral SUP's but I've had Mistral Windsurfing equipment (boards mainly) in the past and have been very pleased with them. I can't imagine Mistral would put their name to something if it was rubbish. I heard briefly on the news this week, about someone who lost their life after being struck by lightning whilst out on a SUP. Thoughts obviously go out to their family and friends.
Several people in this thread have commented about safety and this tragic news prompts me to add to what's been said about safety by talking again about weather conditions.
Whatever you do on your SUP, please check the weather conditions first, especially if you're going out on the sea. And don't just look out of the window. Check online (marine charts if possible) and find out what the weather forecast is for the whole time you plan on being out. The weather can change in an instant and if you're not prepared, you can soon find yourself in big trouble. Even with the best preparation, the weather can change without warning.
As an example, I went out on Wednesday this week. I was on the sea where I live so it's an area I know really well. The forecast was showing a gentle breeze all day so it was going to be a nice, easy, relaxing paddle for 4 or 5 hours. The sea was a little choppy when I started off but that's quite normal where I live. After a couple of hours, I turned for home. The wind dropped and the sea changed to flat calm but within 15 minutes of changing direction to head for home, the wind picked up, the sea swell increased and things got 'interesting'. It was still only blowing a Force 3 with occasional Force 4 gusts and I've been out in heavier swells so it wasn't a problem but it highlights how quickly things can change. What was an easy day of paddling turned, unexpectedly, into hard work
Have fun on your SUP but take care.
Several people in this thread have commented about safety and this tragic news prompts me to add to what's been said about safety by talking again about weather conditions.
Whatever you do on your SUP, please check the weather conditions first, especially if you're going out on the sea. And don't just look out of the window. Check online (marine charts if possible) and find out what the weather forecast is for the whole time you plan on being out. The weather can change in an instant and if you're not prepared, you can soon find yourself in big trouble. Even with the best preparation, the weather can change without warning.
As an example, I went out on Wednesday this week. I was on the sea where I live so it's an area I know really well. The forecast was showing a gentle breeze all day so it was going to be a nice, easy, relaxing paddle for 4 or 5 hours. The sea was a little choppy when I started off but that's quite normal where I live. After a couple of hours, I turned for home. The wind dropped and the sea changed to flat calm but within 15 minutes of changing direction to head for home, the wind picked up, the sea swell increased and things got 'interesting'. It was still only blowing a Force 3 with occasional Force 4 gusts and I've been out in heavier swells so it wasn't a problem but it highlights how quickly things can change. What was an easy day of paddling turned, unexpectedly, into hard work
Have fun on your SUP but take care.
jamie w said:
Hi all
Maybe worth mentioning that thermal rash vests are available. Different material from the usual nylon/spandex thin vests.
They're a bit warmer.
And a bit more expensive of course
Thanks. That's good to know. Since buying my rash vest, I haven't actually worn it Maybe worth mentioning that thermal rash vests are available. Different material from the usual nylon/spandex thin vests.
They're a bit warmer.
And a bit more expensive of course
I prefer to be out in just a pair of shorts I'm not suggesting it's the right thing to do, especially from a safety perspective but hey...Do as I say, not as I do 
Bill said:
markymarkthree said:
Still nice and flat if anyone fancies it.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=73f50dc46c6...
Off shore wind isn't so good.https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=73f50dc46c6...
Fabulous day on the sea this afternoon 
It was quite windy (gusty) but the sea was almost flat-calm. I spent the afternoon just enjoying the peace and quiet which seems to be the whole point of SUP'ing for me.
Regarding the 'sinking ship' I shared a picture of in an earlier post. I paddled past it again this afternoon and it looks like the stern has been re-secured to the bank with ropes. It hasn't sunk any further but what will happen to it now is a mystery.
Talking of pictures. The one day when I really wanted my camera, was the day I forgot to take it. One very curious seal took an interest in what I was doing because it was floating along next to me for a while. Evidence of a big half-eaten fish suggests it might have just finished a big lunch. It certainly seemed quite content to keep me company for 1/2 hour or so Sadly no pictures but it was a timely reminder to always have a camera onboard 
It was quite windy (gusty) but the sea was almost flat-calm. I spent the afternoon just enjoying the peace and quiet which seems to be the whole point of SUP'ing for me.Regarding the 'sinking ship' I shared a picture of in an earlier post. I paddled past it again this afternoon and it looks like the stern has been re-secured to the bank with ropes. It hasn't sunk any further but what will happen to it now is a mystery.
Talking of pictures. The one day when I really wanted my camera, was the day I forgot to take it. One very curious seal took an interest in what I was doing because it was floating along next to me for a while. Evidence of a big half-eaten fish suggests it might have just finished a big lunch. It certainly seemed quite content to keep me company for 1/2 hour or so
Sadly no pictures but it was a timely reminder to always have a camera onboard 
carreauchompeur said:
Finally got around to buying a paddleboard last year, found a decent ex-hire one at a good price. Haven’t done much on it yet and still finding my balance.
Lugged it round in the van for 2 week trip in Scotland, finally used it in the last 2 days on Mull. Absolutely worth it. Gliding along on a glassy loch… perfect!
Annoyingly cant get pressure gauge on pump working so just have to guess!
If you go back through this thread, you'll find a few hints and tips I've shared which might help you with your balance. Especially with regard to having a 'staggered' foot position on your board.Lugged it round in the van for 2 week trip in Scotland, finally used it in the last 2 days on Mull. Absolutely worth it. Gliding along on a glassy loch… perfect!
Annoyingly cant get pressure gauge on pump working so just have to guess!
With regard to the correct pressure. The obvious solution is to invest in a new pump. Otherwise, I doubt you'd ever be able to exceed the recommended max pressure with a hand pump. At max pressure, my board is as close to standing on a rigid board as possible when on dry land, with very little flex on the water. And at max pressure, I have very little else left in my arms to be able inflate the board any more. Board size and construction obviously has a part to play in this but I'm using a 14ft board so a shorter board should have much less flex on the water.
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