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Scottish SUP Guide - Launching Scotland's First Guide Book

Matt Gambles • May 15, 2020

How releasing a Guide Book came about.

On Monday 11th May 2020, the First and Only Guidebook about where to Stand Up Paddle board in Scotland was released as an E-book. A few days later it was also released as a Paperback option, the fruits of labor from the enforced Coronavirus lock down. 

The idea for the Scottish SUP Guide has been floating round my head for several years and the Covid 19 crisis gave me the time to do something about it.

Having been Surfing and Kayaking for almost many years as fingers as I have on my hands, the role of guidebooks was extremely influential. The Stormrider Guides were, pre-internet, the gospel......its pages influenced my travel decisions and the beaches named in its pages embedded in my mind. A physical Guidebook is still my first port of call in looking at future trips, whether in the UK or Worldwide. The Stormrider Guide series continues to hold a special place in my heart.

Similarly, as a keen Kayaker, guidebooks become a huge part of your life. From the indispensable pages of books like Scottish Whitewater, the knowledge contained within have helped myself and countless other boaters to enjoy some incredible times on the water. Further afield, books like Whitewater Southern French Alps and Whitewater Massif Central were passed from Instructor to Instructor while working in foreign climes, tantalizing us with what adventures our scarce days off could provide.

With this in mind, the idea of the Scottish SUP Guide took hold. After many years of introducing people to the delights of Stand Up Paddleboarding through Paddle Surf Scotland the question of ' Where should I go paddle next?' cropped up every session without fail. With our incredible country full of lochs, rivers and coastline (and the legal access to them we are blessed to have), I felt that it was time to help with this question.

I felt that getting a decent array of locations country wide was key and to try to have places that would appeal to all types of Paddler. For those getting into the sport  providing a number of calm, sheltered locations was very important to me, places where you can gain the confidence and skills to then take your Paddling into more committing locations.

I tried to put a number of surf spots in, places with great waves but also, spots that are not usually too busy so as to be able to handle plenty of people in the water. No one likes to be fighting for waves, and after surfing plenty of crowded breaks, I did not want to add more to this mix.

All the locations have a little something special about them, whether its paddling at a place of immense beauty, historical interest or a challenging paddle for the more experienced to an Island or down a river. Hopefully there will be something that may peak every level and type of Paddlers interest.

This Guidebook has been a pleasure to work on, and I am already looking forward to a Volume Two as well as some projects in some more tropical locations. Remember, this is merely a Guide, a collection of wonderful SUP spots, yet it is merely the tip of the iceberg in the SUP locations Scotland has to offer. Get out there and explore!.

Scottish SUP Guide is available priced £6.99 (Paperback) and £4.99 (Kindle) from the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-SUP-Guide-Paddleboard-Scotland-ebook/dp/B088F5RRJK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=17WOKWU3GSQZ&dchild=1&keywords=scottish+sup+guide&qid=1589543758&sprefix=scottish+sup+%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-2
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