Paddle Boarding

Author
Discussion

Bill

52,479 posts

254 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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The flip side of that is a kayak is much less affected by wind, tide and waves, or river current. And plenty have seat positions to suit single and double use.

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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Bill said:
The flip side of that is a kayak is much less affected by wind, tide and waves, or river current. And plenty have seat positions to suit single and double use.
yes A lower CofG means they can be narrower too for a given amount of stability, so faster. The paddling rate is also inherently higher, because whilst you recover on one side you're paddling on the other. It depends what you're doing with it really. For me these activities are just a way to get out in open spaces and see wildlife, plus something to do if I drive to the coast to windsurf and there's no wind (or to surf and there's no waves), so the advantages of a kayak were wasted on me. I only really saw the disadvantages, which were a lot more weight to lift onto the roof. For me the main deciding point was the improvement in my back pain from SUP - kayaking is good for your core and back, but SUP was on another level for me, plus I think it's more relevant for practising balance skills useful in windsurfing and surfing.

Edited by RobM77 on Monday 17th August 11:17

Bill

52,479 posts

254 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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yes One isn't better or worse than the other, they're just different despite the apparent similarities.

sealtt

3,091 posts

157 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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I own a touring style sea kayak and a surf ski, they are great for getting around and with the surf ski especially you can even catch some waves and get quite some pace going as you paddle around. For sure if I was actually going any meaningful distance I’d always take the kayak, it’s just a more efficient means of transport.

But the SUP is surely the better choice for casual fun. Easy to add passengers and the board can essentially just be used as a raft for water fun - diving platform, sunbathing, tie a couple together for picnics on the water, etc. I especially love how easy SUPs are to take down to the water, whether walking or by car.

If you live near the sea or a good sized lake then it’s always worth having both as they are not really expensive for entry level kit and it’s fun to have variety.

zax

1,008 posts

262 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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sealtt said:
I own a touring style sea kayak and a surf ski, they are great for getting around and with the surf ski especially you can even catch some waves and get quite some pace going as you paddle around. For sure if I was actually going any meaningful distance I’d always take the kayak, it’s just a more efficient means of transport.

But the SUP is surely the better choice for casual fun. Easy to add passengers and the board can essentially just be used as a raft for water fun - diving platform, sunbathing, tie a couple together for picnics on the water, etc. I especially love how easy SUPs are to take down to the water, whether walking or by car.

If you live near the sea or a good sized lake then it’s always worth having both as they are not really expensive for entry level kit and it’s fun to have variety.
Absolutely!

I love the SUP for the portability and simplicity. Much less kit needed than when I'm kayaking and it even fits on my back! I think the message here is that we all need lots of water based transport devices smile

Also SUP vs kayak is a very different workout so if you're looking for more balanced exercise regime it's great to use both... On that kayak efficiency statement I would have to agree, I generally feel the similar fatigue from 15km on a SUP as I do from 30km in a kayak!




PurpleTurtle

6,940 posts

143 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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I had a go on a SUP at a new local open water swimming lake local to me where they rent them out for £20/session, as I have been contemplating buying one as I live within walking distance of the Thames in Reading which is slow moving at this time of year.

I really wanted to love it, but just didn't feel the excitement in it. It was slower than a kayak or canoe, and any amount of headwind just turned my body into a sail, I had to kneel down to stop myself being blown backwards. In which case you might as well be in a canoe, that's what I will be going for.

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Monday 17th August 2020
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PurpleTurtle said:
I had a go on a SUP at a new local open water swimming lake local to me where they rent them out for £20/session, as I have been contemplating buying one as I live within walking distance of the Thames in Reading which is slow moving at this time of year.

I really wanted to love it, but just didn't feel the excitement in it. It was slower than a kayak or canoe, and any amount of headwind just turned my body into a sail, I had to kneel down to stop myself being blown backwards. In which case you might as well be in a canoe, that's what I will be going for.
Unless you're in waves or white water, none of these sports are going to be exciting. For me they're all just a relaxing way to explore, like going for a walk, just in a different environment and using different muscles.

As described above, the advantages of SUP over kayaking are the core strength it gives you and the weight and portability of the board. The advantage of kayaking is the greater efficiency and/or speed through the water. Choose your preference spin

CharlieAlphaMike

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

104 months

Tuesday 18th August 2020
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There have been some really interesting comments, comparing SUP to various other watersports. It's true, SUP is not what you'd call an adrenaline sport. You'll be missing the point if you're looking for that on a SUP. For me, it's a relaxing, peaceful way to get out on the water.

As I and others have said, it's good for your core, great for balance and paddling against the wind will give you a good workout (although I can't ever remember getting out of breath, even paddling hard against the wind). If you catch a wave, with the wind behind you and paddle like hell, you can get some speed up (I've been surprised at how exactly how much speed I can generate) but nothing like you would on a Windsurfer or Kayak for example.

I'd be interested to know if anyone here has tried a Wing Surfer with a SUP. They seem quite expensive to me for what they are but look like they could add to the excitement. Maybe a great addition for me at some point. Thoughts and experiences anyone?

CharlieAlphaMike

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

104 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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hidetheelephants said:
teacher The macro effects of tide are predictable and you can obtain free tide times online or buy a little book with them in; the macro current is predicted in admiralty tidal stream atlases and on admiralty charts, although inshore there can be local effects which these do not note. Wind strength and direction can influence both direction and strength of current, especially if it's been blowing from one direction for a while or if very strong(although I doubt anyone is nuts enough to paddleboard in a gale).
I'm often out in Force 3 and have been out in a good Force 4 but that's about the limit for me. It's hard work paddling against a Force 4 yikes

Someone here mentioned windy.com which looks like a really useful website. Because I'm only paddling on the sea, I also use webapp.navionics.com because that gives me sea depths and hazards etc. Incredibly useful when planning a trip to somewhere new thumbup

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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For tides I can highly recommend the smartphone app “Imray tides planner“.

  • It has the whole world, so no buying different tide tables for different locations.
  • You can set custom ports with an offset, like I’ve done in the screenshot below, so you know the exact depth of water at a particular point.
  • If tides are complex, as below, you know what’s going on, rather than just seeing ‘high’ and ‘low’.
This is important because the best coastal locations for SUP are often shallow estuaries, natural harbours and coves/inlets (Poole Harbour, Exmouth Estuary, etc); they generate less waves due to the shallow water dissipating ocean swell, and are often sheltered. The problems with these locations is that because they shelve so gently, there's a big horizontal displacement of water for a given vertical drop, so they often have vicious tidal currents you'd never paddle against. They're also often highly sensitive to tide height. Where I usually windsurf, in the screenshot below, it can be bone dry when I arrive to set up, but by the time I've rigged and changed (20 minutes), there can be enough water to start sailing. Equally, at other points in the harbour the current can be so strong you can't even stay still paddling against it, even in a kayak. An app like this helps so much compared to the old days with just a high and low time to go by.



Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 19th August 10:29

sealtt

3,091 posts

157 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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If you are referring to the entrance at Poole harbour, that can get very tricky in the wrong conditions. In general it runs up to 5 knots I believe in a spring tide, so in a sea kayak you can just about get through against the current.

However what makes it vicious is if you have a bit of wind blowing through and marine traffic kicking up wake, you end up with big waves rocking back and forth like a bath tub, with strong currents, a chain ferry to dodge and loads of boats steaming through the narrow gap it can get a bit hairy!

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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sealtt said:
If you are referring to the entrance at Poole harbour, that can get very tricky in the wrong conditions. In general it runs up to 5 knots I believe in a spring tide, so in a sea kayak you can just about get through against the current.

However what makes it vicious is if you have a bit of wind blowing through and marine traffic kicking up wake, you end up with big waves rocking back and forth like a bath tub, with strong currents, a chain ferry to dodge and loads of boats steaming through the narrow gap it can get a bit hairy!
Gosh, no, going through there is strongly advised against. Likewise, the Exe Estuary mouth as it goes between the sandbanks and marina is very hazardous at peak currents. As explained, I was referring to in general it’s just a good idea to be careful.

For example, it gets quite strong in Poole a Harbour down the end between Hamworthy and Wareham where I used to kayak and SUP a lot - it's not a problem, but you need to plan for it. Peak currents between Lake beach (where I used to launch) and Arne can get very strong, as the water’s squeezed through that narrow gap. Even out in the open in the Exe estuary it can be hard to make headway against the tide.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 19th August 11:48

sealtt

3,091 posts

157 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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Yes you are right, planning is the most important part of it, conditions make the difference between serenity and mayhem, especially in these locations. I did get stuck in the current once when first starting out trying to paddle back from Brownsea to Shore Road on a paddle board, current was strong and wind picked up, together they just kept pushing me to Poole. In the end I had to get towed across by a kayaker who appeared like an angel amongst the incoming rain clouds!

That looks like a good app actually. I use the UKHO predictions but it is web based so not the most convenient.

Nowadays with a bit more experience, a solid kayak and some planning I love to ride those strong Poole harbour currents! Start at Sandbanks and fly up to Rockley park at top speed, stop for a coffee and wait for the tide to change, then ride the current back home. I still wouldn’t do it on a paddle board though, just don’t have the pace / power to motor through when required, but I’m sure someone with a bit more talent could.

Bill

52,479 posts

254 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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Tidal flow charts are your friend! Really help planning longer trips. (And shorter ones you don't want to become long!)

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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RobM77 said:
Even out in the open in the Exe estuary it can be hard to make headway against the tide.
I’ve swam down there a lot, and along the coast in budleigh and other spots.

There’s a good reason Exmouth has produced the most Channel swimmers. hehe

I went to the swimming pool in Exmouth for some lap swimming and met some old dude that was in the olympics in the 70s you go to the beach in winter and old ladies are swimming in the sea.

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
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El stovey said:
RobM77 said:
Even out in the open in the Exe estuary it can be hard to make headway against the tide.
I’ve swam down there a lot, and along the coast in budleigh and other spots.

There’s a good reason Exmouth has produced the most Channel swimmers. hehe

I went to the swimming pool in Exmouth for some lap swimming and met some old dude that was in the olympics in the 70s you go to the beach in winter and old ladies are swimming in the sea.
My Great Aunt and Uncle lived near the beach in Exmouth and used to swim in the sea all year round, other than February and March, right up until their 80s.

Exmouth's a great example of how local knowledge is worth a lot, which is something worth saying on this thread. The duck pond as it's known, by the park, is the most benign and gentle environment possible - you could teach a 5 year old to swim there; yet a few hundreds metres away at the mouth of the estuary on a strong tide is one of the most dangerous spots of open water you could ask for. As someone mentions above, Poole Harbour is similarly peaceful, but the shipping channel between Evening Hill and Brownsea can get strong currents, and equally if you catch the depth of tide, current and wind wrong, even by Shore Rd the chop can be horrendous as it bounces off the sea wall.

CharlieAlphaMike

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

104 months

Friday 21st August 2020
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RobM77 said:
For tides I can highly recommend the smartphone app “Imray tides planner“.
Looks like a great app. It's a shame they don't have a download for a pc. I've looked and can't find one frown

CharlieAlphaMike

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

104 months

Friday 21st August 2020
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PurpleTurtle said:
I had a go on a SUP at a new local open water swimming lake local to me where they rent them out for £20/session, as I have been contemplating buying one as I live within walking distance of the Thames in Reading which is slow moving at this time of year.

I really wanted to love it, but just didn't feel the excitement in it. It was slower than a kayak or canoe, and any amount of headwind just turned my body into a sail, I had to kneel down to stop myself being blown backwards. In which case you might as well be in a canoe, that's what I will be going for.
It's a shame you've made your choice based on a SUP rental. Honestly, the type of board, paddle, fin, inflation of the SUP (I'd be amazed if Hire Companies have all of their SUP's correctly inflated) and your paddling technique can make quite a difference. Yes, a headwind makes it more challenging but not impossible. I'm often out in a Force 3 and have been out in a good Force 4 (just about my limit), paddling against the wind. In a Force 4, it's hard work for sure but anything up to a Force 3 is not too difficult. I certainly don't feel the need to kneel down for fear of going backwards.

And where I paddle, I'm nearly always paddling against the wind. If I'm lucky, I'll get the wind behind me on the way home and get to ride the waves (chop) too. If I'm out of luck, the wind will drop by the time I head for home which means paddling all the way eek



Edited by CharlieAlphaMike on Monday 9th August 15:19

mcdjl

5,438 posts

194 months

Friday 21st August 2020
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RobM77 said:
My Great Aunt and Uncle lived near the beach in Exmouth and used to swim in the sea all year round, other than February and March, right up until their 80s.

Exmouth's a great example of how local knowledge is worth a lot, which is something worth saying on this thread. The duck pond as it's known, by the park, is the most benign and gentle environment possible - you could teach a 5 year old to swim there; yet a few hundreds metres away at the mouth of the estuary on a strong tide is one of the most dangerous spots of open water you could ask for. As someone mentions above, Poole Harbour is similarly peaceful, but the shipping channel between Evening Hill and Brownsea can get strong currents, and equally if you catch the depth of tide, current and wind wrong, even by Shore Rd the chop can be horrendous as it bounces off the sea wall.
I paddled round Brownsea in a sea kayak a few years back. The harbour mouth end was hard work, i wouldn't fancy that on a SUP!

CharlieAlphaMike

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

104 months

Friday 21st August 2020
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Well it's been an interesting afternoon on my SUP. I was debating whether or not to go out because there's been a good Force 4 blowing again today. In the end, I couldn't resist but rather than go on one of my normal long distance paddles, I decided to do several short paddles. Going out, paddling against the wind for maybe 1/2 mile, turning and riding the waves (chop) back to shore. Great fun but quite tiring.

I was out for approx 4 hours and enjoyed every minute. Those who think SUP might be boring should try it in some more challenging conditions but please stay safe.

I've broken my camera mount (it's the second one I've broken this year) so I'll be looking for something of a better quality. I also find it quite a faff to operate the camera when it's fixed to the front of my SUP; kneeling down, stretching out and then switching the camera on before taking a picture is a pain and stop/starting videos is more trouble than it's worth. Can anyone perhaps recommend a good quality camera mount system? Maybe one I could fix to my paddle? I don't really fancy the idea of a body or head mount.