Paddle Boarding
Discussion
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!
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!
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 
Still nice and flat if anyone fancies it.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=73f50dc46c6...
I am going to paddle at Crackington Haven & Bude canal today.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=73f50dc46c6...
I am going to paddle at Crackington Haven & Bude canal today.
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...
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...
CharlieAlphaMike said:
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...
Crackington Haven was good but watch out for hidden rocks. I paddled west and found a few hidden beaches which are always interesting to have a mooch around. Didn't bother with Bude canal, as a fellow boarder said it was very busy.
Damer bay today, for a paddle down to Rock, cams still showing flat.
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