When we planned this short trip through Europe we weren’t required to do much research though. This trip fell into the category of a mini adventure. I was excited to see some new places from the water so Franz and I looked for a combination of some easily accessible cities and nature. What I like about the mini adventures is the simplicity. Just grab the SUP roller bag, some clothes, a paddle, and hit the road and see what you find. We normally have a general idea where we’re going, for the rest we see what comes our way. Normally I love to travel by train with my ISUP as you can get comfortably anywhere in a short time and luggage is never an issue but this time we decided to go with a small car.
Ireland I had been to Ireland many years ago and had fond memories so I was curious to see if the country still is this green, mystical place, full of culture and friendly people. I have to say Ireland fully lived up to my expectations. The cool thing about these mini adventures is that you can time them with the weather. Ireland looked sunny for a couple of days. “Let’s go there” we said. We picked up a rental car at the airport and drove straight to the west coast. First stop, the Cliffs of Moher. Towering more than 200 meters and rising straight up out of the sea, it is a raw and magnificent sight. We took a non-touristy back road and parked the car close to the cliff. Getting to the water from this point was a challenge; a tiny path on the very steep cliffled to the bottom of the cliffs where we could enter the water. The cold water and crushing waves gave us another challenge.
Once out on the water you realize what a beautiful place it really is. The raw energy of the waves crashing on the cliffs, the smell of seaweed, and fish beneath and thousands of seagulls flying around us or nested in cliffs.
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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…
