WindSUP

I managed to collect my new toy on Sunday and then try it out on it’s Maiden Voyage on Monday. It’s a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) that I got a very good deal on from Shem at Kite Surf Wales.

I’ve been taking Morgan surfing a bit more lately and he really seems to be into it at the moment, but when the surf is OK for him, it’s too small for me on my small 5’10” or 6’4″ board so I’ve been wanting a longboard for a while. I decided however to get a SUP instead as I thought it would be a little more versatile. After a little bit more research, I discovered that it would be possible to get one with a mast-track as well so it would be even more versatile:

• I’d be able to use it to playing in the surf whilst Morgan was surfing
• We’d be able to go on adventures up the estuary together with Morgan sat on the front and me paddling
• We could attach a sail to it so that Morgan could use it as a platform for learning to windsurf

I therefore needed an all-round board that would do a bit of everything, and soon came across the Starboard WindSup. Essentially it’s a SUP board, exactly the same as the ‘Blend’ model they make, but with the aded features of a mast-track and a central daggerboard. They make several models of this, inflatable ones in various sizes, two different constructions in various sizes, and ones with retractable daggerboard or bolt on daggerboards. We went for the cheaper, more durable ASAP (As Strong As Possible) construction rather than the inflatable and the one with a bolt on daggerboard. We chose the 11’2″ x 30″ option as we thought that would be the best compromise. It would be big enough to float the two of us, ideal for adventures and touring, but still pretty good in the surf as well.

WindSUP

Bank Holiday Monday turned out OK to try it out. Anna and Morgan headed into town to play in the band, and to get Graham to kindly cut down my SUP paddle to size. I went for a nice bike ride in the morning during which it was quite windy, but that dropped off a little later so we headed over to the beach. Morgan had his surfboard with him and I had the SUP. We made some carrying straps to help us across with them as the SUP is 12kg and a little unwieldy to carry long distances, and Morgan can’t quite get his arm around his board either. I usually end up carrying his board for him along with mine, but couldn’t do so with the SUP and the paddle. The straps helped though and we were soon heading out into 2 foot slightly messy surf.

I was a little wobbly on the SUP to start with but managed OK. Morgan was having fun too. After a few goes on the SUP< the handle on the paddle was coming out, so I decided to play on it without the paddle for a while. This was actually really good in the surf. Just like a very wide rescue board really as I paddled out on my knees, caught waves and jumped to my feet. It went quite well in the surf and felt surprisingly stiff too so it seems as though it will do the trick. I now have to get a bit more comfortable paddling it stood up, but a few sessions on flat water should have that sorted. It’ll be good to get Morgan windsurfing on it soon too. I might even have a light wind cruise on it sometime.

What we really need though is a few weeks holiday at home with all the toys and some decent weather.

Tags: SUP