The search
Some trips are memorable for the breathtaking nature, the experience, the people… or in actual fact a combination of all the above… other trips are memorable just because of how everything seamlessly flows and each moment feels heavenly, bringing a sense of fulfilment, so much so that you can’t hide the huge smile on your face. You simply can’t contain your happiness and start laughing out loud. The story I’m about to tell you is about an unforgettable escape to a paradise deep in the Indian Ocean.
As a collaborator for watersports mags, I was on the lookout for a remote paradise to shoot for some of my projects. I was looking for a place that hadn’t yet been too exposed, while being beautiful and picturesque with fantastic conditions for some SUP and wind sports. However, I was also seeking somewhere with fascinating culture and nature, which is not easy to find. After a bit of searching Madagascar popped up as the perfect location for it. Madagascar had been a spot on my bucket list for a while, so it was about time to pull the trigger and set up a new adventure.
I needed a photographer to join me to capture it all, and since I didn't have a travel buddy to join me, I thought about Chiara Socin, also a Fanatic team rider, and a very talented young photographer, hoping that she would like the plan. I didn't know her personally, but I liked the idea that she would enjoy the place as much as me, and that she is a young female photographer!
“Hey Chiara, nice to e-meet you! I am going to Madagascar for a month to shoot SUP, wing-foil and windsurfing. Do you want to join me?” - “Madagascar? One month in the ocean? I’m in!”. And that's how it started!
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 42 - Spring 2024-Ausgabe von SUP International.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 42 - Spring 2024-Ausgabe von SUP International.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Turning Points
With spring in the air and the start of a new decade, thoughts naturally turn to what we can do differently in the name of betterment. Finn Mullen reflects on some changes to consider when looking to improve your SUP surfing.
THE CLOSE OUT- TREV'S GREAT BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE
I have had my fair share of great birthdays, usually coinciding with a national holiday in a country that I’m visiting. But this one was a bit different.
Paddle Science #18 - The Body Fortress. Boosting Immunity
At this time of year, the rate of infection for colds and flu normally tends to slow down as we enter warmer, springtime months. However, if you’ve been anywhere at all in the world recently, then there’s one word you can’t escape at the moment: Coronavirus. Infection rates, mortality rates and prognostic data are changing daily at the moment. As a new virus none of us have previously been exposed to it, meaning that currently, we have no immunity to it. It’s only through being infected by a virus that our bodies are able to make the right antibodies to not only enable us to recover but to also help protect us from any recurrent and future infection from it. If you’re keen to stay well and keep getting out on your SUP board this spring, then focussing on boosting your immune system is a positive step to take.
Ceylon Stories
Like a teardrop on the tip of the Indian sub-continent, Sri Lanka is a little tropical El Dorado of beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage and people with incomparable kindness. Thanks to its favorable exposure to the swells of the Indian Ocean, the has a large number of good waves along its incredible southwest coast where French pro Alexis Deniel and his partner Melanie had an unforgettable experience this winter. Discover their colorful journey through this dream destination sharing its jewels after decades of civil war and the tragedy of the 2004 tsunami.
Polar Bear
In 2019, the Polar Bear showed the world his teeth. After a fourth place in the toughest SUP race in the world, the Red Bull Heavy Water, the now 19-year old Christian Anderson became World Champion in November in the Technical Race at the ISA World Championships in El Salvador. He also won the U-18 title on the Euro Tour with an 11th place overall. What’s behind the young Dane's rise to power?
SHADENFREUDE
TEST REPORTS
Desire Lines
We were on the outskirts of Helsinki, scouting a new destination for our sup camps. Just 45 minutes’ drive from the city, the untouched nature of the Nuuksio National Park stretched out before us. Mirror-smooth lakes, wild herbs and an impressive fauna waiting to be explored over on board or on foot via the many desire lines made by the land mammals.
Magical. Mystical. Epic.
Alexandra is a club ambassador and SUP racer for Bray Lake; relatively new to the SUP scene she completed her first race season in 2019. She participated in her first international event, the Gla Gla, 2020, and placed 1st Brit, 8th lady and 81st overall, out of a mass start of 637 paddlers. Here she shares the highlights of her first Gla Gla experience.
Green Medicine
As a keen outdoorsman and busy GP, Paul Sampson has come pretty close to attaining the mercurial work-balance. When not busy with his patients, he can be found hiking, climbing, paddle boarding, wild swimming… anything that gets him outside soaking up the great outdoors and reconnecting with nature in the beautiful South of Cornwall.
Depth Charge
Many of us have are staying away from the beach for a while, some are confined to our homes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still train for the surf. If you try the following for just one week you’ll see results, never mind three months…
