Paddle Surf Scotland

2025 - A Year on the Water

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:04:46 GMT

A look back at 2025

2025 - A year on the water

Another year flies by, and it's time to welcome 2026 with open arms and look back in time yet again.

I find myself writing this at 9.45am in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, my Winter home. It's dark outside, the sun doesn't rise for 45 minutes, then will set just a few hours after that. It is minus Twenty out there, yet, thinking back to the Summer is giving me a warm glow inside, and excitement to get back into a wetsuit in the fairly near future.

2025 weather wise, felt night and day compared to 2024. Fife, indeed had the entire of May without a drop of rain falling on the kingdom. A distinct lack of wind as well meant fantastic start to the Paddle Surf Scotland season. It was much busier with bookings than the previous year and it was a total pleasure to spend time on the water with so many of you. From total beginners to people carving out their own path in the sport, the meanders of the River Quaich, the exposed waters of Loch Freuchie and the rapids of the River Tay all became perfect proving grounds.

From a personal paddling perspective (try saying that drunk!), I had so, so many incredible surfing sessions. I managed to spend a month and a half in total living in my van up on the north coast of Scotland. Gorging on incredible session after incredible session at some of the World's most beautiful beaches is truly a dream come true.

Two foreign trips for me surfing wise. Santander in Cantabria, Spain, then a trip to see close friends in the Algarve, Portugal. Absolutely loved feeling the power of the Atlantic Ocean waves, the power of the sun on my back, but it does also make you appreciate the lack of crowds back in Scotland in the line up.

I also got selected to represent Scotland in the ISA World SUP Surfing Championships . Unfortunately, due to the lateness of announcing the location (El Salvador) and date, and clashes with my Winter work schedule meant that I could not attend (along with all the other Scotland selectees, being unable to). Still, truly a great honour and I hope to be in the selection process again in the near future.

Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh had truly changed the game in Scotland offering, guaranteed year round surf for all levels. There is now a dedicated group for Sup

Surfers, to book sessions with other Sup Surfers. This is a fantastic way to meet like minded folks, push ones boundaries and get inspired by other Surfers. Sessions happen about once a month and are organised by All Findlay from Glasgow Paddleboarders Co, of which we are all truly grateful.

I am already excited for what is to come, back in a wetsuit and hyped for the water. Till then, the sun has just risen, so it is time for me to strap on my Snowboard and hit the slopes!.

What is it like to SUP Surf at Lost Shore?

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:56:09 GMT

What is it like to Sup Surf at Lost Shore?

What is it like to SUP Surf at Lost Shore?

Lost Shore, situated just outside Edinburgh is an incredible surf destination. Opened for less than a year, it is attracting surfers from across the World to sample its wares. Indeed, many surfers are flying in to Edinburgh for the day, grabbing a few sessions and flying back the same day, such is the quality of the waves on offer.

It consists of two wave pools, side by side, one making left handed waves, the other rights, along with accommodation, cafe, bar, surf shop and changing facilities. You can easily spend a day here after your surf session, with good views and vibes around. It is situated next to one of Europe’s largest indoor climbing walls too, turning Edinburgh into one of the continents premier adventure sports destinations overnight.

The wave pool (powered by Wavegarden technology) offers different types of waves, so that you can book in for a session tailored for your level, or to work on upskilling your surfing. From total beginners learning to pop up in small reform waves, all the way to the barrels setting. The website offers a really good explanation of what each wave setting will provide, the suitability for certain surfboards and what skill set you require in order to make the most of it.

For each session, before entering the water, you are given a short, land based brief on what to expect, safety instructions, wave pool etiquette and where to locate yourself to paddle into the waves (with numbers on the wall to help you work this out). Near the take off zone is a electronic screen which handily provides information relevant to surfers such as the number of waves in a set, time in between sets and rest times between sets. Halfway through the session, the wave increases in size, so as to help facilitate progression.

For all sessions that are bookable online, you can only surf on a regular surfboard or a bodyboard, meaning that Sup Surfers and Kayak Surfers do not have access, however the sessions are able to be block booked, making it possible to get on the water with similar watercraft.

Ali Findlay from Glasgow Paddleboarders (and the SUP representative for the Scottish Surfing Federation) has a Whatsapp group for interested SUP surfers and is the conduit for making the SUP surf sessions happen. Sup Surfers in the Whatsapp group travel from all over Scotland and England to make it to Lost Shore, so it is a great way to meet fellow surfers and share the stoke.

So, what is it like to surf on a paddleboard?. Well, different, but amazing, they would be my two overriding takes from my first session at Lost Shore. The differences are felt straight away with the wave pool being fresh water rather than salt water, so there is less buoyancy than on your board in the sea. The small take off zone is the biggest difference and the short period of time between waves in a set means that you only have a short time to turn your board and get the board up to speed to catch the wave. I would definitely recommend spending some time on your board, even in flat water, getting it dialled to turn your board 90 degrees and start to paddle hard, so you waste less waves once at Lost Shore. Being built with primarily prone surfers in mind, it is certainly a more involving and intense procedure, this turn and paddle on a SUP. Expect to miss a few waves and even take a tumble while getting this technique dialled, but don’t worry, you will get your fill of waves during the hour long session.

I surfed the Cruiser Plus setting on the right hand wave pool, as a regular foot surfer this meant I got to surf the wave on my forehand. This wave starts about chest high and then mellows into a really clean waist high wave. As the name suggests, cruiser, it is a long green face which is perfect for Sup Surfing on a variety of SUP lengths and shapes. On the sessions there were longboard style boards all the way to performance shortboard sups, everyone found something on the wave to tap into, whether aggressive turns or long carves on the face.

Once the wave loses power, it is an easy paddle back to the take off zone, helped by the strong rip. From there, just rejoin the queue and wait for your next wave. It is a pretty intense and tiring session. Intense, I think from the fact that, to start with at least, you feel like you don’t want to miss the wave (but this changes once you work out the take off). Tiring, simply because of the sheer amount of waves in the session!. An hour will fly by, and by the very nature of the repetition of being able to surf the same wave over and over again, progression is inevitable. You can really dial in maneuvers, work on certain aspects of your surfing and test things on the wave over and over again. Being a skateboarder, it reminds me of going to the skatepark and being able to refine things, minus the random aspects of ocean surfing.

Once your session is over you can head to the Lost Shore website where they film with their AI cameras, every surfer and every wave, Their cameras shoot in super high definition, following you along the wave. You can then purchase the videos (and still photos) from them for £25. It is a great way to help you self coach yourself, analyse your surfing and aid your future progression.

Overall, I had a total blast on my first SUP Surf foray at Lost Shore. It is a slickly run operation, a superb venue and a great way to meet fellow Sup Surfers. Thanks to Ali for organizing, if you are interested in Sup Surfing sessions at Lost Shore, contact him via Glasgow Paddleboarders.

2024 Year Review - A Year on Board

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 08:04:21 GMT

The Paddle Surf Scotland year in Review

2024 - A Year on Board

Sat on my couch, in my flat in Lapland, I am a mere 100 metres from the Kemijoki river. This huge river is the biggest in Finland. It flows for over a thousand miles till eventually it reaches the Baltic Sea. It is however, frozen. I am here working as a Snowmobile guide, fulfilling a dream to spend a full winter skiing and snowboarding in the frozen forests and fells of Lapland. The snowboard will be strapped to my feet very soon, but first, time to look back at times for me when the water was decidedly warmer.

2024 began with a number of trips to warmer climes, to the Canary Islands. No wetsuits needed, only a bucket hat and plus 50 sunscreen to hide from the midday sun. Fuerteventura, twice, and the Canary Islands. Surfing mainly reefs I got to experience some incredible conditions. My first trip to Fuerteventura unfortunately was tempered by having all my bank cards, driving license etc, stolen and used. It is amazing how vulnerable you are without the ability to use your cards or pay for things online. Even usually simple things, become nervy, near impossible tasks. Fortunately the goodwill of fellow surfers I met, almost strangers to me, helped me through this and I am eternally grateful for. The next trip to Fuerteventura and also to Gran Canaria though, felt like the ending of a redemption ark…near perfect holidays and blessed to meet some incredible people and share waves with them.

Nearer home, the first few months were spent in Yorkshire, then home, and Scotland came calling. It was a wet, windy and chilly start to the 2024 Paddle Surf Scotland season, and Summer did not really rear its head until late May and June. It was an exceedingly quiet start to the year booking wise, but as always, blessed with wonderful people to help progress along their SUP journey. The storms may have dropped the temperatures but they did bring a lot of surf to the shores of Scotland’s east coast and probably meant I had the most surf in a Scottish summer I can remember.

At Loch Freuchie and the River Quaich, it has been really interesting to not the actions and influence of the Beavers, as they slowly adapt to and change the dynamics of the river system. A family of Highland cows regularly made and appearance near the very top of the more navigable section of the Quaich. A fantastic wee, photogenic reward for our paddlers, before we enjoy the current assisted float back down to Loch Fruechie. I genuinely adore paddling on the Quaich, it changes every day as the levels fluctuate, the winds flow or not. I really believe there is not a better location to learn to stand up paddle, and progress on.

Alongside Mike from Yoga Adventure Scotland, we ran plenty of incredibly well received SUP Yoga sessions, where the calm waters of the Quaich blessed us with plenty of lovely conditions. It is amazing to see the connection between Yoga and SUP, the serenity of the environment and the friendly vibe on the sessions.

With Sam from Paddle Surf Yorkshire, and BlueSky adventures, we provided the SUP challenge element of the 2024 Buccleuch Adventure Challenge at Drumlanrig Castle estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Hundreds of happy (and in some case, exhausted) adventurers raced on the boards under bright blue skies and under neath a ruined castle. A spectacular location to bask in the late twenties sunshine.

A few other special trips for me this year too. Paddling on the canals of Amsterdam was a bucket list destination ticked off the list and I would highly recommend to any one, of any skill level. Plenty of van trips away to surf spots further north, particularly one where I managed to snag a fresh snow snowboard descent of Cairngorm mountain, alongside surfing empty powerful waves on the Caithness coast.

Although probably the quietest Paddle Surf Scotland season, the 10th year was also special, with, across the board, wonderful people to paddle with and teach, I cannot thank you all enough for being a part of it. See you all in May 2025!.

Amsterdam - A SUP Guide

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 09:33:48 GMT

Amsterdam - Bucket List Paddleboarding

Think of the Netherlands and amongst the first things to come to mind will be canals (or grachten as they are known). The country is probably the most affected by human kind over time, with so much of its landmass reclaimed from the sea and then built upon. The entire Netherlands is really a technological marvel. From the windmills, to the canals, they really forged a deep connection to their land by harnessing nature. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in Amsterdam.

One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, it entices you in with gorgeous view points around every corner. Tiny bridges span the endless canals, a never ending stream of sit up and beg bicycles passing over them, houseboats moored up and elegant tour boats putter along. It is a mesmerizing place to be, to wander the streets and soak up the atmosphere.

For a paddleboarder it really is a bucket list destination, and it is very much attainable for all ability levels. There are more than 100 km of canals, 90 islands and 1500 bridges spanning them. Access is easy and although the water quality is not the greatest, they are usually placid and calm.

The inner ring of Amsterdam (a UNESCO world heritage area) is the busiest and most famous area, so the waterways will be a lot more congested with tour boats, but even here it is doable to paddle as they tend to not create the biggest wakes and water turbulence. Further out from the centre, the views are equally as spectacular and water traffic becomes distinctly quieter. You will still get to peek into house boats, take in the atmosphere and truly feel part of the city, but not have to have eyes in the back of your head. Paddle on the right hand side of the canals, to let other craft pass.

There are several operators who offer both tours as well as hires, based all around the city. I used Canal SUP, which is based in the western edge of the city centre. They have a number of routes they can recommend depending on your skill level and how long you would like to be on the water.

Outside the canal network there are other opportunities to SUP in and around Amsterdam too. In Ijburg, you will find Amsterdams inland beach, a really popular place to spend a summer's day. Here you can Windsurf, Wing foil and hire SUPs on a bigger body of water to explore the mix of city scape and distant windmills. The coastline of the Netherlands is easily accessible with Ijmuiden and Zandfoort even getting surf when the conditions line up. Again, easy to rent a SUP or surfboard and head out.

Amsterdam is an amazing, immersive place to paddle and explore. Truly a bucket list paddle ticked off the list.

Sup Surfing on the North Coast

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 20:42:38 GMT

The Road Trip Video 2024

With blue skies and high temperatures forecast, it was time for Matt Gambles to load up the van and take the pilgrimage north. The Highlands of Scotland is the most quiet, unspoilt and wild region of the United Kingdom. The further north, the more nature inspires. Hit the far north coast and the empty beaches take the full brunt of the Atlantic. With empty line ups and a huge variety of breaks it can turn on when the powerful, fickle weather plays ball.

Fuerteventura - A surf and SUP Island Paradise

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:49:35 GMT

Fuerteventura - A SUP and Surf Guide

Fuerteventura - Surf and SUP Guide

A magnetic for Winter sun escapees. A lunar landscape. A island with infinite Paddling and Surfing opportunities. Fuerteventura is an ideal paddle destination.

I have paddled and surfed in Fuerteventura several times and it really is a special place to explore. Known for its strong winds, come here in the winter months however and you will likely find ideal Paddling and Surfing conditions. Come here in the Summer and through stronger trade winds kick in, making the Canary Islands more suitable to Windsports. But a winter trip means escaping the dark and cold of Northern Europe, ditching the thick neoprene and enjoying some well deserved sunshine.

I have spent my time in the North of the island so this will be where the spots and tips in the article will be about. From the airport its a 45 minutes or so drive to Corralejo or El Cotillo, the two coastal resorts in the North, all easily done by shuttle bus, public bus or hire car.

Corralejo is the Islands premier resort and consists of several small, picturesque bays all backed by bars and restaurants. It is easily walkable and has none of the high rises of other big Canarian resorts. This means its pretty relaxed and family friendly.

The bays of Corralejo are asking to be explored by SUP. You can stop on the many beaches for a drink or a snack and it is easy to hire a board for an hour or two.

World Champion Espe Barreras uses the bay as the training camp for herself and other international racers, which gives you an idea of how good the conditions can regularly be here.

Once an hour, the ferry connecting Corralejo to Lanzarote enters the bay, this gives a unique opportunity to surf a wave directly in the middle of the normally completely flat bay. The ferries wake rolls into the bay and jacks up on a small reef, dramatically increasing in size into a waist to chest size clean wave. It really is a unique experience to surf this one off wave. Be aware that it's a powerful wave breaking over extremely shallow and sharp reef.

Fuerteventura surfing on the whole means surfing over sharp, shallow reefs, but there really are locations for all levels. In Corralejo, the main spot is Rocky Point (Punta Helena) with crowds of surf schools on the inside and bigger more powerful waves on the outside. Like most reef spots it is extremely tide dependent.

Other Corralejo spots include Playa de la Agujas and Bristol. South of the the landscape changes completely with 6 miles of dunes (the sand being deposited by Saharan sand storms), giving a taste of being in Africa or the Middle East. Dune Buggies are an exciting way to explore this landscape. Fronting the dunes are the beaches of Flag Beach, Playa de Murro and the Grande Playas. Mixed in with small reefs jutting out you will find lots of sandy beach which on their day can offer surf or touring potential.

Outside of Corralejo it is a choice of taking the tarmac road to the West Coast at El Cotillo or taking the coastal road. The coastal is a dirt road which takes you to lots of secret and not so secret Surfing reefs. Facilities are pretty much non existent here, so you will need a hire car or go with a surf school to check out these spots. Beginners will want to check out Punta Blanca or Lagunas which Majanicho German Right are waves with more power, punch and consequences.

Over on the West Coast is El Cotillo. Its a mixture of small resort, surf hippy location and a wild west town. There are plenty of food options, lovely swimming lagoons and surf shops in town. While just south of town lies a few kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches (interspersed with reefs). They offer fantastic conditions for beginners when it is small. The more South, away from town you go, the more power and less crowds. When it gets above waist to chest high it can get quite dumpy.

Fuerteventura really does offer incredible variety of Surfing and Paddling in a unique environment, which will keep you coming back again and again.

Cross Training for SUP - Cross Country Skiing

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:18:42 GMT

Cross Country Skiing + SUP = Perfect training siblings

Cross Country Skiing: The Perfect Winter SUP Training

Sometimes, in the deepest darkest depths of Winter, even my insatiable appetite for getting out on my Paddleboard, especially in the surf, lessens.

It is cold, and the idea of taking off layers of clothing, rather than putting them on, becomes a tough one to fathom. But taking the time to prep the body to fully maximize those sunnier, warmer days on the board will be rewarded. Winter is a great time to train, to concentrate on muscle groups and then reap the benefits in the Summer.

But, when the snow falls (and it doesn’t need much), then there is an activity ideally suited to SUP Cross Training, and, most importantly super fun to do…..Cross Country Skiing.

Cross Country Skiing usually takes place on fairly flat terrain, such as footpaths and forest fire roads, on very skinny, long skis. Think of it as doing skids, like you did as a kid on a wooden floor, which, alongside two long poles, propel you forwards.

To Cross Country Ski, you need to harness good technique and form, use every muscle group and employ good aerobic fitness. A pair of Cross Country Skis will take you in magnificent terrain, show you views you may not have seen before and engage quietly with nature. Replace the words ‘Cross Country Ski’ with ‘Stand Up Paddleboard’ and you can see how much the sports are similar.

To be efficient with the two poles is to combine efficient placements of the pole with engaging the bodies core to maximize this. The stages the pole goes through in the entry, pull, exit and recovery stage are mirrored by the stages of a SUP paddle, and just one of the many things you can do which will benefit you when back on your Paddleboard.

Scotland, when it snows, becomes an XC Ski paradise. A flat expanse of terrain is the ideal place to start. A path or fire road through a forest is a perfect location. In Perthshire, probably the best location with mile upon mile of perfect paths would be Griffin and Calliacher Forests. They are located mere minutes from our Loch Freuchie teaching hub. Other top Scottish locales would Clashnadarroch Forest near Huntly and Glenmore Forest near Aviemore.

So, the next time there is a dusting of snow, it could be the perfect opportunity to get out there, explore, learn a new skill, all the while benefiting your paddling in the lighter months.

Gran Canaria - Surfing in the Winter Sun

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:27:53 GMT

SUP Surfing in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is a wonderful place to visit in the Winter months. Temperatures sit in the mid twenties, the sun is shining and the cost of living is cheap. To feel some of the sun’s ray’s on your skin, to wear shorts in the depths of winter and to paddle out into warm sea’s are all wonderful experiences to savor after a long, dark winter.

I took a week long trip in February with a friend, staying in the capital city, Las Palmas. We hired a car, laden with Surf SUPs and Skateboards at the airport and made the quick twenty minute journey north.

Las Palmas is a pretty big city and wraps itself around both sides of the headland which makes up the most northern part of the island. We were to stay for the week right on the main beach, Playa de las Canteras, on the western side of the city. We were greeted with huge, booming surf so it was straight into the line up for us. The first spot we surfed was La Cicer, one of the main spots and extremely popular with both highly skilled locals out back and lots of beginners with surf schools in the foam. The waves were big and powerful out back, way overhead, but it was great to tap into the power of the Atlantic Ocean.

Unbeknownst to me, we had arrived at the perfect time in Las Palmas. The final day of the week long Carnival celebrations were to happen that night. Even during the day, there were lots of people in fancy dress and their numbers swelled as evening drew near. The party that ensued was a sight to behold with thousands upon thousands of revelers following hundreds of huge trucks along the main drag in Las Palmas. A procession that took literally hours. Each truck contained a bar, its own DJ and were packed with people wearing incredible fancy dress.

It truly was a sight to behold and an amazing party into the small hours of the next day.

With a hire car, our options were very open to us, we could chase the best swell, whether we wanted the giant, slabby waves of the north, or to search for lesser known spots further south. We were rewarded with some fantastic, empty waves. Tauro in the far south was a particular favourite. It was a small cove alongside some tiny, run down beach shacks. The ocean looked flat most of the time but when the long interval swell rolled in, a waist to chest high wave would rear up over jagged rocks before shooting right and then dumping on the beach. Not a place to fall, the wave was a super clean face, where you could enjoy big carving turns. The key was to not get greedy and kick off the back of the wave before you got slammed against the sand and rocks of the beach…..easier said than done!.

Again in the south, Arguineguin was a brilliant, secretish wave. Scenery wise, it was never going to score many points, with a backdrop of an old concrete factory. However it made up for this with a metronome like wave of quality and a near empty line up.

We also managed to surf some pretty powerful breaks along its east coast. Being an island, there is always somewhere with the right wind direction, so having a car meant we got rewarded for our research on conditions.

Temperature wise, the water was 21 degrees celsius in February, so a 3/2 was all that was required to be nice and comfortable. Unless you are just planning to surf on Playa De Las Canteras in Las Palmas, most of the island’s surf spots are reefs, so I would highly recommend a pair of wetsuit boots too.

Las Canteras is by far the most popular surf beach on the island, with several breaks along its 2 kilometer length. I had one session at a wave called El Burro, where, I can safely say, I was surfing waves the size of double decker buses. Absolute giants and pretty scary at times. Out back on a day like that is no place for anyone less than expert surfers. It was a huge rush dropping into these beasts. Having said that, there cannot be many places on the planet where the pro’s can be surfing in these World class conditions yet, nearer to shore, absolute beginners can learn to surf in small fun foam piles.

A week of sun, surf, skateboarding, great food and being lucky enough to meet some wonderful people, it just flew by. There is so much more on this magical island to explore and I will be back.

Life on the Water - Matt Gambles

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 18:40:31 GMT

A look at the new video

'Life on the Water'

For those that know me, you will know that for me, life truly is about being on the water. It is certainly the main influencing factor in my thoughts and decisions. From where I have lived and travelled around the World to how I look at each day.

Living in Scotland for most of the year, the weather becomes the compass upon which all decisions are made. When it rains (this is Scotland after all), the rivers rise and bring with them opportunities to hit the rapids and surf standing waves.

Windy days might put paid to flat water SUP plans, but for me, it is a time to start rigging up. From Kites to Wing foils via Windsurfing, I love the feeling of how to tune into the invisible force that is the wind.

Flat, calm days and it is time to explore, paddle around the next bend in the river, round that next cliff.

When the conditions align, then the Surf God's are there to reward you, my personal, truly special passion of riding waves.

In the new video 'Life on the Water' I set out to represent the diversity of Scotland and how, if engaging with the weather, incredible experiences can be gained. I purposefully looked at different landscapes, light and shade to represent the real Scottish experience - grey skies are a fairly likely background, so I made sure I didn't hide this fact.

I hope that you enjoy the video.

2023 - A Year on Board

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 08:41:57 GMT

The 2023 SUP Review

Well, 2023 has certanly been bookmarked by extremes for me. Waking up to the first light of 2023, I looked out into a cloudless sky and temperatures in the the 30 degrees Celsius mark. Ras Al Khaimah was home for the the Winter working as a Senior Instructor for Absolute Adventure. Leading trips and expeditions in the deserts, mountains and coastline of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, it afforded me ample opportunities to explore and surf via Paddleboard.

The offshore island of Al Saraya is a 7 mile long strip of sand just off the coast and it happens to be one of the most consistent waves spots in the Arabian Gulf. Warm water, bright blue skies and gentle rolling waves is a pretty enticing mix and I was able to catch every wave session in the Gulf throughout the Winter months. Wave conditions are never classic, usually wind swell in the afternoon as the heat rises on the land and the cool air comes in from the sea to take its place, however, the novelty of surfing in bath water, means fun is always had!.

From the heat of the desert to Scotland is always a big change, but it was great to be back home and able to start the Scottish season. We had plenty of returning paddlers with us, which is always hugely satisfying. Being able to make a mark on someone's life, their passions and health, this is a huge reward for me, something I do not take for granted and am still humbled by. From taking people out of their comfort zones and into Whitewater, getting paddlers confident and independent to go out on their own or seeing former pupils out on their own boards on the loch, it is such a great feeling to have played a small part.

A great surf trip to seeing friends in Portugal punctuated the summer, where, it turns out, a cheap, borrowed Lidl SUP could handle some overhead waves at one of Europe's premier waves, Ribeira D'Ilhas. There were trips galore chasing the swell, from Fraserburgh to all across the Caithness and Sutherland coast. Stand Up Paddleboarding really does take you to some incredible, unique places.

Two Slipped Discs in my back unfortunately meant that much of this year I have been in pain and indeed, was bed and house bound for well over a month this Summer. The consequences are still being felt, but, injuries and time off the water really do put things in context and reemphasize how much being on the water and working outside is important to me. Maybe a period of time off and reflection is good for the soul, even if it does not feel like it at the time.

With my long time friend, Sam Guest, we have successfully launched Paddle Surf Yorkshire this year. Taking paddlers to the wonderful canal system around Leeds and Bradford, it is an exciting venture for us both. If you are in Gods own county, come and give us a visit!

From one extreme to the other, I now write this article tucked up and cosy in a log cabin 280km North of the Arctic Circle in Finland. Outside temperatures are minus 19 today with 4 hours of sunlight today, the sun not rising at all for 40 days from next week. I am spending a Winter season working as an outdoor activity guide in Saariselka, Lapland. Days are spent working with and next to Reindeer, Huskies and Snowmobiles. Days off are with Cross Country Skis and Snowboards. A total change from the years start, but wow, what a year it has been. Ups and Downs, great people, obstacles to overcome, injuries to manage, all of it, part of a special year, 2023.

Thank you for being part of it, and I hope to spend time on the water with you in 2024.

Time to be Disciplined - Which SUP niche is for me?

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:13:27 GMT

The Many and Varied Disciplines of Stand Up Paddleboarding

The Stand Up Paddle World is as varied and wonderful as the shapes, sizes and desires of the Paddlers that inhabit it. Once entered into this World it can be a big and intimidating place. In it you will find so many niches and disciplines which could lead you into areas where you may never have thought to tread, especially after those first tentative steps on a board on your first lesson.

Here we take a look at just some of the many areas of the SUP World that you can experience.

Touring:

The unique perspective that standing on a SUP gives us helps us to enjoy some wonderful views of the World around us. We can look deep down into the water, peer out towards distant vistas and see if we can look around the next horizon. If this kind of exploration appeals, then SUP Touring could be for you. From day trips to Scottish lochs, exploring a Cities waterways, or really committing to a multi-day journey, a SUP can be a fantastic vehicle to use. Touring boards tend to be slightly longer in length, able to accommodate on their decks plenty of gear and be designed to be more efficient in their forward glide.

Racing:

SUP, like most sports, is pushed forward in its skillset and equipment design by competition. That need to be number one, to find one’s own limits, this can can be gained by entering SUP’s friendly (yet fierce) racing scene. Different races across the country, and the World test different things, be it flat out straight line speed, technique in mastering buoy turns or tactics in long races or drafting fellow paddlers.

Boards tend to be lighter and much thinner, so there is more potential speed, possibly weighed against lateral stability in some cases. Fine tuning of equipment and picking the right board for the conditions all come into play.

Surfing:

The glide of surfing along a wave, harnessing the power of the ocean, is a feeling like no other. SUP’s can be fantastic wave catching machines, with the added super power of the paddle, to give you speed into the wave, to create speed in less critical sections and to help with maneuvers. It means a SUP surfers wave count can be pretty high and the ability to surf and enjoy less crowded waves is also high. More waves equals more stoke, just be aware of others and respect the surfers code out there. It is a full body workout and a half too!

Board shapes can vary in shape, length and design. Longboards are, as the name suggests, longer and they can offer plenty of glide for nose rides, walking the board and graceful turns. Gentle beach breaks, like, locally, West Sands in St Andrews are manna from heaven for Longboard SUP Surfing. Smaller shapes with the significantly lower volumes and sharper rails are on shortboard style Surf SUP’s. Designed for surfing the steeper, more critical waves, they can be used to throw more aggressive maneuvers, throw plenty of spray and even get barreled. The steeper the wave and the more powerful, the more these low volume boards come into their own.

Whitewater:

Scotland is blessed with some incredible rivers to explore, with some unbelievably adrenalin inducing sections of Whitewater. Whitewater SUP is a full on, committing niche of the SUP World to delve into. Knowledge of how to read the water and its hidden dangers, the ability to work as a team to keep each other safe, these are as equally as important as the skills to be able to take on the rapids themselves. With the right knowledge, safety, team, equipment and paddling skills, there is a whole world of incredible rapids of all grades ready to be discovered out there. Expect plenty of swims, thrills, spills and the odd bruise on your Whitewater SUP adventures.

Boards tend to be inflatable and reinforced to take big impacts. They are wide to aid stability, have plenty of rocker in the board design, lots of grab handles and the smaller than usual fins are further forward for more intuitive turning.

SUP Yoga:

Yoga and Paddleboarding are a perfect match. For many people Yoga is a fantastic relaxation tool for them, away from the stresses of modern life…imagine adding some wonderful views into the equation as you immerse yourself in nature as well. Away from the stuffy confines of an indoor Yoga class it can be an opportunity to breathe in some fresh air and enjoy some positive personal time as well as stretch the body's muscles and joints. The fact you are on a less stable platform adds another level of challenge to poses old and new to you.

Boards tend to be wide and have a larger deck pad to move around on. A calm area and an anchor are essential as well.

Wind SUP:

The modern sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding is massively indebted to Windsurfing. Its pioneers in both athletes and equipment designers all came from, and in many cases are still involved in Windsurfing. Harnessing the wind adds a new dimension to your Paddleboarding. Instead of the wind scuppering your enjoyment with the paddle, adding a windsurf sail means you can still have an incredible day on the water. Once you discover the sensation of blasting across the water using the invisible, incredible power of the wind it is a totally addictive feeling.

Wind SUP boards tend to be for lower wind days, non planing conditions. They might be higher in volume too.

Wing SUP:

The newest kid on the watersports block is Foiling. Surfing and aerodynamics meet in the middle as you rise out of the water, flying above it on a hydrofoil. Subtle movements lead to big changes as you dances above the water. Magical. To get the board out of the water and onto the foil you can paddle like fury on a tiny SUP with the foil on the bottom, or you can use a Wing (a cross between a Windsurf sail and a handheld Kite) to pump you up onto the foil. Once flying you are incredibly efficient leading you to surf endless waves and bumps or foil for miles at much more speed than the actual wind speed. On the way to this flying Nirvana, there will be lots of equipment tweaks, cuts, bruises and frustrating sessions, but once you are flying along, it feels more than worth it.

Equipment is highly specialist, with super lightweight carbon foils sat underneath low volume SUPs.

Adding a Wing to your normal when the wind increases is a great fun way to get the basics down and enjoy windy days on the water too. Not a fast as with a foil by any means, it is surprisingly easy to pick up and be able to sail back and forth along the water.

Yorkshire Paddleboarding Guide - Apperley Bridge

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:41:12 GMT

Leeds - Liverpool Canal Paddleboarding

Sam Guest runs our Sister operation, Paddle Surf Yorkshire . Here he introduces one of his favourite lesson locations:

One of our favourite Paddling locations is at Apperley Bridge. Situated on the outskirts of Bradford, just a stone's throw from the metropolitan boundary with Leeds, it is a wonderful place to paddle. We paddle on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, its waters always super calm, meaning perfect learning conditions are guaranteed. Flat, calm water really is the key to truly getting to grips, and falling in love with Stand Up Paddleboarding. The Canal provides this, and more.

With the national cycle network path using the towpath, we enjoy a fantastically varied landscape to admire from the water. The impressive engineering feat that is Dobson’s Locks, the woods that line the canalside and the plethora of canal boats at the Marina. All this and more, this juxtaposition of urban and country are all best experienced from your Paddleboard. The Marina View Coffee Shop and its excellent cakes, is nearby to celebrate after your paddle.

Flat Water Favourites

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:47:06 GMT

Matt reveals his Global Flat Water Paddle classics

Flat Water Favourites

For those of you who know me, you will know where my SUP passion likes first and foremost. Surfing. Whether in the ocean or on the river, the ultimate feeling I chase is charging down the line on a wave. It is the guiding force that leads me around the world, chasing my next surf fix.

Some of my most memorable times on a Stand Up Paddleboard have been sans wave and sans whitewater. The calmer waters on these trips enable me to experience some absolutely magical moments and see sights that only become attainable from the water. Each of the trips below truly re lit the fire which is my passion for SUP, in its many and varied forms.

Duncansby Stacks, Caithness

On a surf trip with Rich, who many people will have had their first introductions to SUP with us, on lessons in Moray and Nairn, we hit out first flat day, up on Scotland's North Shore. A plan was made to visit these enormous sea stacks which sit just south of John O'Groats. They are a truly impressive sight from the clifftops, jagged and huge. It is even more awe inspiring from the water itself. With thousands of sea birds nesting on the stacks and surrounding cliffs it is certainly not a quiet paddling destination. Diving, aggressive skuas add to the adrenalin. Even getting down to Stacks to paddle involved a super steep down climbs on a near vertical path. This was probably the scariest and most nerve wracking part of the operation, but, wow, the views and how tiny you felt paddling underneath these behemoths made it worth it.

Khor Hablyn, Oman

Spending my Winters working in the deserts, mountains and coastlines in the Middle East with Absolute Adventure and Paddle Surf Emirates, incredible landscapes abound. No where, for me, comes close however to the stunning landscape that is the Musandam peninsula in Oman. Know as the Fjords of Arabia, the peninsula (cut off from the rest of Oman, with a land border with the United Arab Emirates), picture Azure blue waters, now add sheer, vertical cliffs hundreds of feet high. It's a landscape that is truly mind blowing. The fact that the water temperature is in the mid twenties and just asking to be swum and snorkeled, only adds to it. On this particular trip, into one of the biggest Khors (an Arabic fjord), and one of its remotest, I stayed on a Dhow boat. The Dhow is a flat bottomed, traditional sail boat where you sleep on deck, underneath the stars. After each days paddling under huge cliffs and jumping in, just to cool down, the Dhow would be anchored up, the chef preparing a feast to eat, usually from freshly caught seafood, straight from the boat. Magical.

Visit www.adventure.ae and www.paddlesurfemirates.com

Arbroath Sea Cliffs and Caves, Angus

On its day, on the right tide and the right conditions, one of my favourite paddle destinations is just a short drive away. Arbroath, on Scotland's East coast has its impressive sandstone sea cliffs just north of the town. The cliffs and it's bright red hues are impressive enough, but hidden inside the cliffs are some fantastic caves to explore. Some are huge caverns, some are tiny and tight, some become pitch black and eerie as you paddle in. Every time I go there, I discover more and learn more about this fascinating place.

For experienced Paddleboarder, we are happy to offer this as a bespoke trip, Contact us for more information.

Isla de Tarifa, Spain

I used to have the pleasure of working for Sam, the owner of our sister company, Paddle Surf Yorkshire, at his old kitesurf school in Tarifa, Andalusia. Tarifa has miles of golden sands, great surf and incredible views over to Tangier in Morocco. Africa sits just across the water, the Rif mountains look close enough to touch at times.Tarifa sits at the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, giving up the opportunity for a unique paddle. Starting on the tiny Playa Chica beach, you paddle around the large teardrop shaped Isla de Tarifa. The cliffs sit atop some fantastic snorkeling opportunities as you paddle along. No matter the weather, the water becomes increasingly confused and choppy as you leave the Mediterranean and enter the Atlantic Ocean for the paddle along to the finish on Playa De Los Lances. The start and finish points are a mere 10 metres from each other, sitting either side of a narrow road isthmus connecting the island with the mainland. On the paddle you connect an ocean with a sea, while paddling around the southernmost point of mainland Europe, all the while, Africa glints across the water!.

Sam now runs www.paddlesurfyorkshire.com and is a wealth of knowledge on where to paddle in Andalusia as well as in Yorkshire.

A North East Road Trip

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 09:28:39 GMT

Surfing in Newcastle

Early June 2023 and a fine pocket of good stable weather, combined with a decent surf forecast added to my set in stone road trip plans perfectly. The Rugby League Extravaganza that is the Magic Weekend in Newcastle is a staple event in my things to look forward to calendar. Newcastle is one incredible city and the fact that I can watch 7 matches across the Weekend including my beloved Castleford Tigers take on arch rivals Leeds Rhinos just adds to it. 63.000 Yorkshire and Lancashire folk descend clad in fancy dress and club colours for one of the friendliest and most fun sporting events you can imagine.

Even better this year was that the Surf God's were being kind too with sun and swell in prospect too. I packed my trusty Red Paddle Co Whip into the van and off I went. First stop was one of Scotland's most popular surf breaks, Belhaven Bay in Dunbar. Being half term there were plenty of people out in the brine, but being such a big beach, there is room for everyone. The Dunbar end is always smaller for surf and it gets bigger and more powerful as you move into the middle of the bay. This means that beginners can play in the small stuff while the surfers in the middle get plenty of space to hammer the lip. The 4ft waves were lovely to hit, even with the slight onshore winds. Then it was down to the Toon for the first match of the Weekend, a Friday night clash between Newcastle Thunder and Bradford Bulls.

Up and at 'em, early doors on the Saturday, I was greeted with bright blue skies and not a jot of wind. I decided to surf somewhere new, Blyth. A mile long gorgeous beach, it is backed by sand dunes with cute beach huts at the northern, Blyth end. I surfed the middle of the bay with just my self and two SUP foilers out. At low tide and being fairly shallow, it took a while to work out the wave dynamics (perfect foiling waves that look to break before gently losing form on many peaks), but once figured out I had a great session with long rides. Off to St James Park the cathedral like home of Newcastle United afterwards to enjoy three matches including an incredible shock win for Castleford!. Didn't see that one coming!.

Sunday morning and it was a fair bit chillier and overcast, especially for a 7am surf. I surfed an onshore and small swell at Tynemouth before hitting St James Park for another three matches. Tynemouth is the epicenter of surfing in North East England. Home to a thriving scene, it hosts UK national events and several pro surfers have grown up here at Longsands. It is a gorgeous beach, home to lots of eating and drinking options (including right on the beach) plus you can hire boards from Tynemouth Surf Co. Unfortunately, the surf was not firing, but there were still some fun waves to be snagged.

For those that know me, Surfing and Rugby League really are my two greatest passions, so this weekend really was me living the dream. The North East of England is home to some incredible surf breaks, inhabited by friendly, hospitable locals and highly worth a trip to.

Introducing the Team - Mike Gallacher

Sat, 20 May 2023 11:57:29 GMT

Meet the Paddle Surf Scotland Team - Mike Gallacher

Mike is the owner of Yoga Adventure Scotland and was one of Scotland's first SUP yoga teachers. He has been working with Matt at Paddle Surf Scotland since 2017 and is still super stoked to see people enjoying SUP yoga, whether they are new to yoga, SUP or both!

Join us on the water for some paddle boarding, some yoga and a lot of fun.

When he's not trying to balance on a board or a mat, Mike can be found following his passion for surf, chasing waves around Scotland's East coast.

Mike lives in Dundee with his young family. He came to water sports in his late twenties while working in academia, so he is always happy to chat about all things SUP, surf and science. He felt like his passions all come together recently when his son asked him "daddy, why does a paddle board not sink when you stand on it?".

Introducing the Team - Sam Guest

Tue, 02 May 2023 09:49:19 GMT

Meet the Paddle Surf Scotland/World Team - Sam Guest

Sam runs the operation for Paddle Surf Yorkshire. Introducing people to SUP in several places in the county, making use of the wonderful canal system. A fount of knowledge with regards to fitness, nutrition and 'life hacks', Sam will hopefully be up in Scotland for some tailor made Health and Happiness SUP courses!.

After leaving the Royal Marines, Sam embarked in a career dedicated to all things outdoors. His travels led him to the Southern tip of Spain where he started teaching kitesurfing. What started as a hobby to earn som pocket money, led to him building one of the worlds premier kitesurfing holiday companies.

With the collapse of the holiday industry in 2019 he decided to move back home to Yorkshire, where he fell in love once again with the rivers and lakes of his home county.

He’d been teaching Stand up Paddleboarding as the “no wind” option as part of his kitesurfing holidays for years and so when, on a trip to the wilds of Scotland, he bumped in to his old friend and owner of Paddlesurf Scotland, Matt Gambles, the idea was floated of setting up Paddlesurf Yorkshire and he jumped at the chance…and here we are.

Sam has been teaching watersports for 22 years and Stand up Paddleboarding since the sport first started so if anyone has the experience to teach you everything you need to know…he does.

Introducing the Team - Matt Gambles

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 18:53:05 GMT

Meet the Paddle Surf Scotland Team - Matt Gambles

Matt is the proud owner of Paddle Surf Scotland and will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company here in 2023.

Over the last 10 years he has introduced thousands of people to Stand Up Paddleboarding and Paddlesports, still garnering maximum enjoyment from seeing other people get as hooked on it as he is.

Living in Dunkeld in Perthshire, he can be found on the water, or on a board whenever humanly possible. He Surfs, hits the River Waves, Kitesurfs, Windsurfs, Snowboards and Skateboards. Whatever the day's weather offers, he is to be found on the correct board to make the most of it.

He is the main instructor on the water, our Whitewater and River Surfing coach and offers our British Canoeing courses.

He is a veteran of well over Twenty years experience in the outdoor industry, this has led to him having many unique and varied jobs; from throwing people off bridges managing a Bungee Jumping company, trekking through the desert in the Middle East to guiding Whitewater Rafts down the icy waters in the Alps.

He is a partner in the sister companies which comprise the Paddle Surf Scotland World, Paddle Surf Yorkshire and Paddle Surf Emirates. He is a co-owner of Breeze SUP Wear, offering environmentally conscious clothing.

He has authored two books on Paddleboarding, including Scotland's first guidebook, Scottish SUP Guide. He has been featured in several SUP publications including SUPboarder and the book, Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain by Jo Moseley.

He works with Goosehill SUP, helping them produce a How To series.

When not on a board he is a huge football ( Leeds United and Guiseley ) and Rugby League (Castleford) fan, it is the huge disappointment of supporting these consistently awful teams that offsets the adrenalin of his life on boards. The Yin and the Yang of Matt Gambles!

Book Review - Paddle Scotland by Alasdair Findlay

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 10:35:11 GMT

Paddle Scotland by Alasdair Findlay. Adlard Coles Publishing

Book Review - Paddle Scotland by Alasdair Findlay

I was privileged to receive a preview copy of Paddle Scotland by Alasdair Findlay recently. It is the first part in a new series of books on Adlard Coles/Bloomsbury, with forthcoming books to cover England and Wales as well.

Paddle Scotland aims to showcase ‘The best places to go with a paddleboard, kayak or canoe’ and is a full colour book packed with maps and pictures throughout.

It is written by Alasdair Findlay, who runs Glasgow Paddleboarders Co, a familiar face to many people in the Scottish scene. He puts his experience to good use in this book, with a huge variety of spots for all levels. I met Ally many, many years ago when he has fairly new to SUP, renting him equipment and leading him down his first experience of moving water, when he joined one of our River Tay trips. It is fair to say that Ally has definitely caught the Paddleboarding bug since.

Covering the length and breadth of the country, Paddleboarders will find something that tickles their fancy, from gentle paddles to some pretty extreme, exposed coastline all featured. As it mentions on some of the location write ups, tidal or river knowledge is a must for some of these, don’t let the gorgeous photos fool, some of these are very committing places. A Difficulty scale is a great touch on each location, but if in doubt, don’t go out or contact one of the many operators he mentions in the book. Bear in mind that this book is aimed at all craft, so, some venues, especially some of the more exposed coastal ones may be in some conditions more ideal for sea kayaks, rather than always ideal for Paddleboards.

There are plenty of Ally’s anecdotes to help personalize the book and help take you there in spirit to some of Scotland’s special paddle locations. Add in local history and off the water information and this book will be used as the perfect excuse to get out and explore our magnificent country by plenty of paddle

Paddle Safer Award

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 05:20:47 GMT

British Canoeing Paddle Safer Award - Is it right for me?

Throughout the 2023 we are proud to offer British Canoeing Paddle Safer Award courses. Available every Sunday evening at Loch Freuchie, Perthshire between 5pm and 7pm, it costs £50pp. We are more than happy to run this award course at other times, dates and locations on request.

This is a fully certificated 2 hour course from British Canoeing, the sport's national governing body. It can be undertaken in the craft of your choice - SUP, Kayak, Canoe and Inflatable Kayak. We can provide SUPs and Kayaks, but you are welcome to bring the craft of your choice too.

If you’re a new or novice paddler and want to raise your awareness of paddling safely, then the Paddle Safer is for you! It’ll help you develop a better understanding of how to be safe when taking to the water.

During this award, your instructor will work with you to develop your knowledge around equipment and environmental factors, as well as practical rescues, giving you confidence on the water.

The Paddle Safer award is exactly what it says on the tin. This practical course gives you top tips and considerations to support you to paddle safer. Over the two hours, you will learn how to choose appropriate equipment. You will also develop an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling, such as the environment.

During the session, you will develop your knowledge, experience and ability to plan your paddles and trips. It will highlight what to expect and look out for, based on the places you paddle.

You will practice a range of rescue techniques, and learn how to support each other and explore possible solutions to common mishaps

2023 - A Winter On Board

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:39:37 GMT

Life in the United Arab Emirates and Oman

As time comes to an end on my Winter 2022/2023 travels, my thoughts are steadily directing towards the exciting 2023 Scottish Summer season. Another season of glorious greenery. empty lochs, raging whitewater and lots of happy new and improver paddlers.

It seems like an ideal time to reflect on the wonderful winter I have spent working in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The juxtaposition between life in the Middle East and the North of Europe is like night and day. The weather being the most obvious one, for nearly 6 months it has been a t-shirt and board shorts to protect me from the sun's rays, rather than the layers of thick neoprene I left behind in Scotland. The water temperatures have hovered around the 24-26 degrees Celsius mark all winter long.

The manic, adrenalin filled task of trying to drive out here is another huge difference. With undertaking perfectly legal, crazy road designs, 8 lane motorways and some of the most bafflingly dangerous driving maneuvers seen on every daily drive, it is some experience. Despite this there are surprisingly few crashes, probably because everyone is driving on edge, expecting the unexpected all the time.

With its many different expat cultures from every corner of the globe dwarfing the Emirati native population, life here is truly exotic. At times you may feel like you are walking through downtown Karachi or Kabul, in a Manila shopping centre, or in a high class jewellers in Milan at other times. With food from all corners of the world always readily available, it is a true sensory overload at times. The local culture still comes through with the call to prayer being heard wherever you are, in the city, in the desert and mountains or even waking you up in your own bed.

Paddling wise, I was living in a new Emirate this winter, Ras Al Khaimah. With its mountain range, the Hajar Mountains, tumbling down to the water's edge this made it a spectacular place to explore. Saraya Island, a 6 mile long narrow sandy island became my stomping ground. With the Arabian Gulf on one side of it and the calm, always mirror flat waters of the Al Rams estuary on the other side, it never ceased to offer incredible paddling opportunities. With a pink lake to explore, Flamingoes occasionally popping in and being a hugely popular 4x4 off road destination, there is always plenty to see and experience, along with some magic sunsets.

Surf wise, the Arabian Gulf is surprisingly consistent. It is not a famous surf destination but, being a very shallow body of water, it only takes a little bit of swell or an afternoon with a strong onshore breeze to bring surf able conditions. The waves only last a short period of time in the Gulf, so, when it is on, drop everything and hit the beach. From tiny ankle ticklers, to 7 foot overhead, I managed to grab lots of sessions. Add in the fact of the warm water and zero neoprene needed, and it doesn't take much motivation to get out there and find a wave.

Work regularly brought me over the border, to work in the truly spectacular Oman enclave of Musandam. With mountains and cliffs hundreds of meters high crashing down into the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean, it is a SUP dream. Some of the most stunning and awe inspiring views can be seen along its many fjords which jut into the land from the coast. The views are magnified by how small and insignificant you feel paddling there too. A personal highlight was spending 5 days living on board a boat, sleeping under the stars, while paddling, hiking and exploring this special place. Not a bad week at work really!.

So, as the sun sets on a wonderful winter, with some great work colleagues, I can look back at a fantastic time of surfing, exploration and surprisingly little sunburn!. Now, its time to dig out the neoprene and dive headfirst into the Scottish spring, summer and autumn, full of energy.

Why Perthshire is the ideal SUP and Holiday destination

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 05:53:12 GMT

Is Perthshire an Adventurers Heaven?

In twenty plus years of travelling and working all over the World as an outdoor instructor, I have been privileged to live in some incredible places. There is only one place that has made me feel is truly a home base though and that is Perthshire. It really does have a little bit of everything. It has so much in it, and more importantly, easily accessible to make it the perfect holiday destination too.

So many places advertise their cases to be called the ultimate adventure destination, but what they normally have is access the the biggest, highest or most extreme. Something that is out of reach to the ordinary person, be it through skill level, accessibility or danger factor. Perthshire however offers something different, the ability to visit lots of easily accessible stunning locations in which to undertake the outdoor activities you have dreamed of, perfect with places to play for all levels, beginner, intermediate or expert. Not a lot of places in Scotland, indeed Britain or Europe, can offer that in such a relatively small area.

Add in the wonderful welcome that will await you in Perthshire, backed up by amazing food and accommodation opportunities and you have plenty to do, see, eat and drink at the end of the day too.

Take our beloved Paddlesports. From those taking their first steps on a board, or sitting in a kayak for the first time, there are a plethora of stunning lochs in which to get addicted to the glide of gently moving through the water. There are locations ideal after that for taking your first independent paddle strokes which are sheltered and safe in most conditions. Having these locations are essential in your paddling development and we are lucky to have so many (and the local knowledge to know when to direct people there, whether on hire boards or on their own).

Moving up a scale, the great Perthshire lochs of Loch Tay, Loch Earn and Loch Rannoch offer huge, exposed bodies of water to explore, be it on downwinders, expeditions or if the conditions are right, a gentle paddle.

The River Tay sews Perthshire together and with it miles of River SUP paddling heaven to glide through, from the whitewater of Stanley and Grandtully to more gentle pleasure on other sections. We use numerous sections to tailor trips to your requirements. Other rivers such as the Garry, Isla, Earn and Lower Tummel are all other fantastic destinations with their own lovely views and water features to explore. Make sure you are confident in your moving water skills before heading out on the rivers, we can help with tailor made trips and coaching.

The East Coast is only a short drive too, with amazing coastal paddling and great surfing potential.

What about other actitvities? Fancy doing a bungee jump or jumping off a waterfall canyoning? How about Mountain Biking down some perfect singletrack? or Skiing over four mountains? It is all possible and readily available in Perthshire. Below is a list of links to sites which can help you plan your Perthshire trip:

www.perthshire-adventure.s cot

www.dunkeldandbirnam.org.uk

Perthshire - Accommodation & Things To Do | VisitScotland

www.thecanyoningcompany.com

www.progressionbikesscotland.com

www.outdoorexplore.co.uk

www.beyondadventure.co.uk

www.aberfeldytriathlon.com

www.weeadventures.com

Self Rescues - How to get back onto your Paddleboard

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 05:57:47 GMT

How to get back onto your SUP

There is a famous Kayaking quote, that we are all 'in between swims'. In other words, no matter how experienced and proficient we are, it is simply a matter of time before we fall in or capsize. Being confident to get back onto your SUP (or upright, in a Kayak) is an essential skill. It would be foolish to even contemplate going out on a solo trip of whatever length, or indeed it could be argued, on a group trip, without a way back onto your board.

There are many different ways to get back on board, the main ones you will see by watching the video, which is part of a series I have produced for Goosehill SUP. All of them require a big kick from the legs along with some upper body pulling. Think of it as an explosive motion, trying to keep the board flat, while trying to push the board down in order to move your body across the board.

These self rescues take practice and effort, though they will become easier with time. Why not think about giving a self rescue a go at the end of every paddle you undertake? this way, you will be match fit whenever you need it for real. I take this approach every time I go kayaking, I finish the session of with at least one roll. If you have buddies with you on your paddle, then its even better, you can critique each others self rescues and be on hand to help in the case of not managing to get back on.

Struggling to get back on? Get a lesson or spend time on self rescues in a safe, sheltered environment with a buddy to help rescue if required. Smaller people, ladies with larger lady bits, thick 6" boards, big buoyancy aids, these can all add extra dimensions to making the self rescue that bit tougher. Look at practicing being explosive with the kick of the legs and pulling yourself onto the flat board.

Only making it a bit of the way up? reset from where you are and keep kicking.

Not getting much of your chest onto the board from the first kick? Use the buoyancy aid to help you up, dunk your B.A under the water just before you explode and the buoyancy will help you fire up to the surface. What goes down, must come back up.

If you are on a LESSON with us and would like to spend some more time practicing self rescues, just let us know on the day. If you would like to spend a lesson working on self rescues, then, CONTACT US

You can visit www.goosehillsport.com for more information on the Goosehill range and purchase them online in our SHOP . If you would like to demo a board or for more information, CONTACT US

Happy Anniversary Paddle Surf Scotland - A look back at 10 years of SUP in Scotland

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:33:15 GMT

10 Years of falls, first and fun times

Ten Years, wow. Time has certainly flown by. The anniversary of ten years of running Paddle Surf Scotland feels like it has crept up sneakily upon me. It is something that I am incredibly proud of, a huge personal achievement in my life.

Looking back ten years ago, and in the lead up to starting Paddle Surf Scotland I was managing a Bungee Jumping company in Perthshire and Glasgow. Flinging people off bridges and cranes for a living was my means of income, after years of rafting, kayaking and outdoor centre work. All of my time not shouting '3,2,1...bungeeeeeeeeee!') was spent on the water, surfing, kayaking and, the new kid on the block, Stand Up Paddleboarding.

As soon as I discovered SUP, in its very infant days as a sport at the time, I knew it was for me. I merged my two favourite things firmly together...surfing and paddlesports. I felt the instant connection between the paddle which I intuitively could use to propel me into waves and the footwork which years of boardsports had taught me, falling in love........well, not quite.

The first time on a SUP was a disaster. I bought a board (this was back when lessons and especially hires, were pretty much non existent in the UK) and headed to St Andrews. The skies were blue, the weather was perfect and the surf was ideal for getting SUP waves, or, so, I thought. I got absolutely spanked out there. I could not work out how to stand, paddle, maneuver and get onto waves. There was just too much going along and I found it incredibly frustrating. With my paddlesports and surf knowledge, surely this must be easy right?. I went home deflated, what a waste of money that was. The next day I headed to a slightly choppy but waveless Broughty Ferry beach. I had bought the damn thing, so I should give it at least one more try I suppose. Lots more falling in ensued, soaking wet and wobbling like Bambi on Ice. But, as time went on, I slowly started to smile, relax, and, I was paddling, hell, even enjoying it.

A time went on the time between falls lengthened as did the smiles as I became addicted to Paddling on a board. Discovering new skills, exploring the lochs from a different angle and surfing waves I wouldn't have even bothered with on a surfboard previously.

As I got better and better, and coming from within the outdoor sports industry, I could see two things ahead. One, that SUP would explode in popularity, and two, that to really enjoy the sport, some amount of coaching is paramount.

Starting the business, I remember being told, it'll never work, this Paddleboarding thing will never take off, and, doing it on inflatable? You must have drank too much. To start with, it was slow progress with knowledge of SUP here in Scotland, and the UK as a whole, lightyears behind the States. But, slowly and surely the bookings came in, with me hotfooting it all over the country delivering sessions and hireboards.

As the years progressed, the sport grew and Paddle Surf Scotland with it. With myself in Perthshire, Rich in Moray and Charlie in Gairoch, over the years we have introduced thousands of new, addicted paddlers. It is a regular thing to go for a paddle in Scotland and see someone who was taught by us, paddling independently and safety, It is a fantastic and proud thing to feel you have helped them a wee bit along the way in their SUP journey. Several SUP school owners and providers were introduced to Paddleboarding by us, and are out there doing fantastic things now too.

Some especially proud moments along the way include being the first company to offer River Surfing in the UK, running some of Scotland's first SUP Yoga classes and helping to set up Breeze SUP Wear, an ethical, organically produced clothing label.

Though lockdown was a financial struggle and a scary, unknown time for the business, as it was for everyone, it also created opportunities. The time off the water meant I could write and release the first guide to Stand Up Paddleboarding in Scotland, Scottish SUP Guide, and an instructional manual, How to SUP. Both are still available on Amazon, along with from us, and in The Birnam Reader bookshop in Birnam, Perthshire.

Working with the wonderful Jo Mosely on her William Hill Sports Book of the Year nominated, Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain, and producing an instructional video series for the brand Goosehill SUP are just two highlights of the 2022 season as well.

Going into 2023, I am super excited to go around the clock once more. I still love paddling up the winding River Quaich, floating down to the island on Loch Freuchie and surfing the wild waves of the River Tay. I still love trying to get into peoples learning heads, to figure out how to improve each individual paddler with exactly what they desire out of the session. With the exciting developments in Yorkshire, Oman and the United Arab Emirates too, it will truly be an anniversary to be remembered.

Thanks go to all those who have had lessons or been Paddleboarding with us over the years, it has been a pleasure to be part of the process, see you on the water in 2023!

2022 Review - A year on the water

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 08:24:06 GMT

The Year in Review - 2022 on a Paddleboard

Well, 2022, it was definitely a year! Plenty of crazy ups and down Worldwide for us all. Hope that it was a good one for you and your family with an incredible 2023 ahead for you all.

Here is how Paddle Surf Scotland’s head honcho Matt Gambles spent his year on the water…..

I flew out of the ountry on the 31st of December 2021, arriving early morning on New Years Day in Dubai. I was here to work and travel for the first three months of the year. Mid thirties temperatures were certainly different to the freezing Scottish weather and meant a fair bit of sweaty adjusting was needed. Leading hiking routes in the deserts and mountains of both the United Arab Emirates and Oman occupied plenty of my time, but there was still plenty of incredible paddling opportunities to be had.

The Gulf of Arabia in the winter is a surprisingly fertile surf zone so I was lucky to have some pretty reliable surf on my doorstep. Al Hamriyah was my local surf break and I got to surf it from tiny ankle ticklers up to double overhead in size. Pretty incredible for what is, apart from a 30km wide gap to the Indian Ocean, pretty much an inland sea.

Surfing underneath the famous Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai contrasted with the awe inspiring natural beauty of the Musandam Peninsula, known as the Fjords of Arabia. All in all, a pretty incredible winter of SUP, all in water temperatures in the high twenties, certainly no wetsuits required!!. A highlight was paddling with several former World Kayaking champions and two Olympic Gold medallists underneath the hundreds of metre high cliffs of the Musandam,

Back to rather chillier temperatures then for the 2022 Paddle Surf Scotland in the Spring, but it's always amazing to embrace the greens and abundant water of Scotland after a winter in a completely different environment. Straight into high river levels with the winter snow melt means that my favorite river wave, Wee Eric, on the Tay is at ideal levels. Still, after all these years of surfing and paddling globally, it is still one of my dream spots to play. Plenty of fun sessions and it has been great to see more people embracing (and pushing the limits of) whitewater SUP and river surfing. It was a great year of helping more and more people push their paddling in this dynamic environment.

My first surf trip of the season couldn't have gone much worse. A wheel of my camper went well and truly kaput while on the way to chase a perfect forecast on the North coast around Thurso. This meant, after a tow to Brora, living in the van for two nights on a garage forecourt waiting for a tiny part to arrive to fix the van. By the time the van was fixed, and, I had driven the final two and a bit hours to the North Coast the winds had kicked in, the rain was on, and with my tail between my legs I headed back to Perthshire without a single wave!.

I got to meet and share my love of SUP and the water with so many wonderful people this year, I honestly do not think I have enjoyed the challenge of coaching, and the simple pleasure of paddling as much as this year to be honest. Thank you so much to all of the Paddle Surf Scotland clients, your enthusiasm, smiles and laughter are so infectious.

Some clients this year will have met me, disconcertingly hobbling on crutches before their paddle trips. I am sure this was an odd sight, and was due to a pretty serious Kitesurfing injury which led to me being hospitalized, 5mm shorter for the rest of my life with spinal compression and with a painful and lengthy rehabilitation. The first paddle back, a solo trip testing a raceboard on Clunie Loch, though painful physically, was mentally an incredible and emotional experience, reigniting the love for gliding on water. The physio needed to come back from the injury (which could potentially have been life changing) was all about maintaining and working on good posture, SUP has been the perfect tool for this.

With the summer getting record breakingly hot at times there were some fantastic Loch Freuchie and the River Quaich trips on the glassiest water I have ever seen there. Low water levels on the rivers meant weeks and weeks of perfect levels to surf the wave at Stanley weir on the Tay. It's another wave that keeps me coming back to it after all these years, working out the minute intricacies of mastering how to surf the wave as the water surges past your feet.

Autumn meant the North Sea started to wake up and send pulses of surf to play on. Plenty of fun local sessions with the passionate and friendly local crew were had along with some great trips up to the North Coast, Moray and the Aberdeenshire coast.

With exciting plans ahead and the opening up in 2023 of Paddle Surf Yorkshire, offering trips and lessons across Yorkshire, it was a pleasure to spend some time on my home turf. I was lucky to get plenty of fantastic swell and to seek out some gentler pleasures on its canal system. I am super excited by Paddle Surf Yorkshire going into the new year.

I am now writing this, sat, hiding from the sun in shorts and shirts. There is not a cloud in the sky and I find myself back for the winter in the United Arab Emirates. Living in Ras Al Khaimah, I have a brilliant surf break on a 4 mile long deserted island, just a short drive away. The surf has been really consistent, the weather always bright blue and brilliant. I have paddled with Turtles underneath me, surfed empty beach breaks and, have several months left to enjoy this desert paradise.

Yet, already I am excited for the possibilities of 2023 back home in Scotland. More loch and river sessions, more progression sessions, British Canoeing courses, river surfing and whitewater. Also, some super exciting multi day trips will be on offer too. Cannot wait to get started and be on the water with you all in 2023!.

Paddleboarding in Yorkshire - Pocklington Canal

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:20:18 GMT

Paddleboarding on the Pocklington Canal

Paddleboarding in Yorkshire - The Pocklington Canal

With our new sister operation, Paddle Surf Yorkshire now up and running it has been incredible to spend time ‘researching’ and Paddling in my home turf of Yorkshire. It is a county full of incredible SUP opportunities, from the huge cliffs (and myriad of seabirds that call it home) of the coastline to the huge and historic canal system.

The Canal system gives you some fantastic access to explore an eclectic array of SUP destinations, each paddle giving you a unique paddling experience. From paddling under the skyscrapers of inner city Leeds and Sheffield, or past the dry stone walls of the magical Yorkshire Dales, canal paddling is a great opportunity to vary your views, while having calm, sheltered water under your board.

One secret gem is the Pocklington Canal System. Flowing through gentle farmland, and underneath the wide open East Yorkshire skyline, it is 9.5 miles long. Opened in 1815 by local farmers, it fell into disrepair until fairly recently, and 5 miles of it are now paddleable. With 9 locks on its length, all of which are easily portaged, that is plenty of wonderful paddling terrain. A towpath runs next to nearly all of the canal, which then pours out into the River Derwent, opening up plenty more SUP exploration opportunities.

The Canal system tends to get fairly full of plantlife in the height of summer, catching on board fins and making paddling a little tougher, but for most of the year it offers some wonderful, calm paddling from which to enjoy the huge skies.

The Canal around the village of Melbourne offers easy access from vehicle to the water, with Church Bridge and Hagg Bridge being good places to begin your journey.

Watch our video here: https://youtu.be/YcU4HH3otpA

To book a lesson with Paddle Surf Yorkshire, visit www.paddlesurfyorkshire.com

SUP in the Sun - How to protect yourself whilst Paddleboarding in the Sun

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 16:40:29 GMT

What Sun Protection do I need to wear?

As we all know, one thing Scotland is not renowned for is the Sun. When it does shine (in that glorious week or two we call Summer!!) it can bear down with plenty of force on our pasty skin. Being on or near the water only magnifies the effects that sun has (and potential damage that it can do) so it can be vital to have the correct sun protection in place. A good hat, eye protection and keeping the body covered as much as conditions allow is hugely important. Wetsuits will give plenty of sun protection to the body, but on scorching days and as your paddling confidence increases, a rash vest and shorts may be your preferred clothing options. As you purchase a rash vest, you will notice (alongside other pieces of clothing), you will notice an SPF rating that features on it, this vital piece of information also appears on sunblock.

What is an SPF Factor? Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is the sunscreens ability to protect skin from UVB rays. UVB relates to the sunburn and malignant (potentially cancerous) damage of the sun to the skin, while UVA relates to the aging and leathering of the skin that the sun can cause. The higher the SPF Factor the more solar energy that would be required to burn the skin. SPF 30 will block 97% of the sun’s rays, SPF 50 will block 98%. The strong sun and the reflection from the water means that its likely to be the higher SPF Factors that you are to be using on sunnier days. An SPF 30 will protect you from being in the sun thirty times longer than if you were not wearing any protection, SPF 50 will be fifty times longer.

Sunscreen tends not to advertise itself as waterproof, but many will say they are water resistant. This means that, while out on the water we cannot just apply once and forget about it…reapply regularly in order to have as much protection as possible. It is worth doing this in advance of going out in the sun to start with, say 15 to 20 minutes beforehand too.

Get into the habit of always wearing it, even on the cloudier days. This may be common practice for those who live in warmer climes than here in Scotland and the UK, but for us locals, this might be a gentle reminder.

Think about when you are able to go out on the water, can you avoid the most powerful rays of the sun in the middle of the day and paddle while the sun is less strong in the morning or evening?

So, next time you are gearing up to hit the water, whether with us or on your own…. wear the correct amount of sun protection clothing, the correct SPF, re apply regularly, limit your time in the sun, and, if you see blemishes or anything on the body that looks like it has changed, then don’t hesitate to visit your GP.

Surfing the Yorkshire Coast

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 12:23:07 GMT

Where to Surf in Yorkshire

Surfing the Yorkshire Coast

Despite living and loving life in Bonny Scotland since 2006, and proudly leading Paddle Surf Scotland into its 10th year anniversary in 2023, Yorkshire is who I am. It is the place I am proud to be from, the places, culture and people have shaped the man who I am today. It is also the place that forged my love of the water, and surfing in particular.

Despite growing up just outside Leeds, a distinctly unsurfy place, trips to Yorkshire’s incredible coastline introduced me to, and made me fall head over heels with the activity that would be a staple part of my entire life.

There are plentiful beaches and plentiful variety of surfing conditions to be had, and many of them are ideal for Stand Up Paddlesurfing. The list below is of some of favorite spots to surf at. All are fairly popular spots, so no secrets are being handed over here, but, even with this in mid, be respectful and adhere to the rules of the surfing line up. You will find most Yorkshire surfers are friendly and polite as the rest of their county folk.

Whitby - With the Abbey looming over you, along with its famed Whale bone arch, Whitby is a spectacular surf location. Even on a flat day, a Whitby trip is a must with a lovely harbour and enticing lanes and alleys full of independent shops and cafes. On the right tide, the River Esk is a fantastic flat water SUP trip too. When the surf is pumping, Whitby can turn it on, with waves all the way toward Sandsend at the North of the huge beach. Pointing fairly North, Whitby can be home to some powerful, punchy waves, none of which have Dracula’s famous bite mind you.

Scarborough North Bay - A huge beach, on the quieter, Northern side of the Town and sat underneath its ruined Castle perched on the cliff top, North Bay is home to great surf. With easy parking, it is a popular spot, with justification. The waves can be found along the entire length but most effectively in the southern end with a nice point break there as well. It is a tide dependent spot, with the beach disappearing at High Tide.

Scarborough South Bay - The heart of ‘Scarbados’, Yorkshire’s biggest seaside resort, the slot machines, candy floss, kiss me quick hats and tubs of cockles all add to the essential experience of surfing South Bay. It needs a fair whack of swell to wrap in past the castle and harbour, so always much smaller than North Bay. Waves tend to be at their best near Scarborough Spa.

Cayton Bay - After descending down the steep paths from the cliffs above, you reach Cayton Bay, the epicenter of Yorkshire’s surfing scene. If there is any swell around, Cayton will hoover it up and there will be plenty of surfers to feast on its offerings.Best on the pushing tide, it has several different peaks on it that can pack a punch on its day. Each peak can have its own distinct personality and attract different styles of surfers, from Shortboarders on the more performance peaks, Longboarders and SUP Surfers out the back, and beginners in the whitewater in the middle of the beach. Tide affects this spot as a large reef dissipates a lof of the swell at very Low tide. There is a surf school, shop, hire and changing facilities.

Filey - My absolute favourite Yorkshire surf spot, Filey is the genteel little brother to Scarborough. It is a simply stunning beach that stretches for miles. To the North the huge protecting arm of Filey Brigg stops a lot of the swell from reaching Filey. This means you need a fair bit of swell for it to turn on. It can provide, however, incredibly clean long lefts and rights, totally perfect SUP Surfing waves with little to no crowds compared to Scarborough and Whitby.

Humnanby Gap - A few miles to the south of Filey sits the small drop in the huge cliffs which gives easy access to Filey Bay, Humnanby Gap. It's always quieter for surfing than elsewhere and gets much more swell than Filey, double to triple the height in town. Think of Humnanby as Cayton Bay minus the crowds. It can have plenty of power and a fair old rip, so, if you are not a confident surfer on a big day, look elsewhere.

We are proud to be working with www.paddlesurfyorkshire.com

Paddle Surf Yorkshire is a sister company of ours and offers tours, hires and lessons on Yorkshire's stunning canals and rivers. Using some spectacular sections of the Leeds-Liverpool and Aire-Wharfe Canals, along with the River Wharfe, experience some fantastic, historic journeys while learning to Stand Up Paddleboard.

www.paddlesurfyorkshire.com

Health Benefits of Stand Up Paddleboarding

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 14:13:45 GMT

Extra Motivation to get out and Paddle!

As well as being super fun, taking you to some incredible locations and gets you the best photos possible, Stand Up Paddleboarding has plenty of health benefits too. If you need that extra motivation to get in the water, say yes to your mate asking you for a paddle, or to sign up for a lesson or a trip, here is some extra plus points:

No training needed:

Anybody, at any age, and at any fitness level, can get into paddling. It’s relatively easy for beginners to get started in this fun sport.

Burns calories:

Depending on your weight, age and time spent paddling, you could easily burn a couple of hundred calories doing this activity. In fact, independent research by SUP World Magazine, with a group of SUP paddlers weighing between 75 –90 kg, showed that a leisurely paddle could burn between 305–430 calories.

Vitamin D:

For plenty of us, spending so much of our time in the office, in the house, in the gym, our time outside can be fleeting. Throw in the lack of daylight in the colder months and it can be tough to get our bodies desired amount of vitamin D. With the sun (even through the clouds) reflecting back at us from the water's surface, a paddle trip can help us regain this natural balance.

Fun Workout:

Many Paddleboarders tend to get their board out simply to unwind on the water, but unbeknown to them they are using lots of muscle groups, improving their balance and burning calories at the same time. Not bad for a leisurely trip on the water, eh?!

Mental health:

Paddling has been proven to combat depression, reduce stress, and lower anxiety in numerous studies. As the saying goes, a bad day on the beach is better than a day in the office!

Good for the Joints:

Low impact exercise reduces the forceful contact (impact) the body has with the ground. Unlike running, jumping, and contact sports, paddling has a positive influence on your joints – it’s good for suppleness of the joints and overall mobility.

Great for the Core :

Proper paddling technique actually utilizes the muscles of the back and abdominal. Think of your Paddling trip as a Core workout day, but much, much more fun than the gym!. Many sports and workout programs neglect core conditioning, whereas, in paddling, it’s activated most of the time.

Personal Growth through Skill Development:

Learning these skills can provide a fantastic sense of achievement, self-worth, and satisfaction. The fact that you put yourself out there, embraced the uncomfortable, and ended up being proficient in a new skill, shows a lot about your character.

What style of board is right for me?

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 10:50:06 GMT

How to choose the right board shape for you

What style of board is best for me?

The world of Stand Up Paddleboarding can be a pretty intimidating place for the newcomer. What board will suit me? What is an all rounder? Am I an all rounder?. It's a tough initial place to break into.

So with that in mind, let's have a quick look into board shapes, to help you decide which one is most suited for your needs. Boards can be broken down into four main types; All rounder, Tourer, Racer and Surf.

All Rounder

This is likely the shape that you will learn on, and possibly the board shape you will see most of, be it on the water or online for sale. It does exactly what it states, it's a shape that lets you do a bit if everything. It's designed to be a stable platform to help you learn quickly and safely. It will be wide enough to give you stability, be able to initiate turns quickly and track in a straight line relatively well. This means that it will do pretty much all SUP disciplines pretty well.

This ability to do a bit of everything though, means that there are board shapes which will do everything a little better, which is the payoff with having a board that is pretty ok at most things. There are boards that will be faster and work better in the wind. Boards that surf and turn better, or handle a river trip, can take more equipment, or be more stable for Yoga.

Tourer

Designed to track through the water much more efficiently, Tourers will be significantly faster than an all rounder, cutting through the water like a knife. They will be able to carry more equipment like tents or expedition gear, so are fantastic for full day or multi day trips. They tend to have more pronounced noses that sit lower to the waterline, meaning they pierce through the water aiding the tracking and, into wind are much more efficient than an all rounder.

They can be different widths, the thinner the faster (but with less overall stability), but they can be just as wide as your all rounder. The rails tend to be straighter in order to create more forward drive and directional speed per paddle stroke.

A tourer tends to be slower to turn due to its shape and possibly it's length. For a relative newcomer this means that you will need to be slightly more proactive than on an all rounder.

A tourer will still do the same things an all rounder will do, minus it's ability to turn. If you like to go far, explore more and think that the idea of a full days (or more) paddling is something you would like to do, a tourer may be the ideal board.

Racer

Sleek and designed for speed. These boards tend to be narrow in appearance with a pronounced sharp nose leading into straight rails. They are designed to make every paddle stroke convert into maximum glide and efficiency. They tend to be fairly long, in the 12'6" to 14' range and have handles designed to be picked up easily and quickly from multiple angles.

For those looking for speed, cross training as well as entering races, a racer could be ideal.

Racers tend to not have the same stability as other boards as they are so thin, and you will need to work on your step back pivot turns to get the most efficient turns.

Surf shapes

There are plenty of surf specific shapes out there, from long and fairly thin longboard style SUPs to tear drop style shapes. What they are all designed to do is give maximum glide on a wave and the ability to turn and create speed. Surf SUP inflatables tend to have less volume and are less thick so that some part of the rail can connect with the wave to help drive the board. They may have significant nose rocker at the front in order to stop the board from pearling (diving headfirst into the wave as you drop in).

Excellent in the surf, they will be significantly more responsive and efficient than other inflatable shapes on a wave. The payoff for this is that they may not be ideal for significant amounts of time paddling on flat water, with less stability and speed as they can turn so quickly. The nose rocker can also mean that in wind, they become tough to paddle.

In conclusion

There are plenty of other shapes out there too (SUP Yoga boards are big and wider for example, Whitewater boards are wide, stable and turn quickly, but are not efficient for flat water distances or in the wind) but the main thing to consider is what do you mainly want to do?. Then, pick a board accordingly. Want to surf or race? It's an easier choice, like to just potter round with the family on a lake? Maybe an all rounder is for you, fancy paddling out and wanting to see what is round the next corner? Maybe it's really a tourer that will keep you coming back for more.

It's worth noting that all boards will undertake all disciplines to a point, just like that Maserati will be able to do, in principle the same things as a Land Rover. Some cars, and boards, do certain things much better than others but other things not so well. Have a think about what you are wanting to mainly do on your board, and make a decision based on that.

Book Review - Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain, by Jo Moseley

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 19:09:36 GMT

Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain by Jo Moseley

'Beautiful places to paddleboard in England, Scotland and Wales'

Last Spring (2021) I had the pleasure of being contacted by Jo as she began researching what was to become 'Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain '. It was a tough job but we managed to whittle down some of the classic Scottish SUP locations to add to the other many stunning places she would visit and paddle, within the rest of the United Kingdom.

Cut to August and I had the pleasure to meet Jo finally in person, as we set off for a paddle on a sunny and slightly windy day from Kenmore beach on Loch Tay, Perthshire. What immediately hit me was Jo's passion for Paddleboarding as well as her excitement to be able to visit so many stunning and iconic locations. It was a fantastic experience to be able to show off one of the jewels in Perthshire's crown.

That trip was just one of the 32 plus locations which Jo paddled and researched, the end result being this incredible book.

Covering Scotland, Wales and England, it is a fantastic final product, with an incredible variety of spots, from urban paddling in spots like London, Liverpool and Nottingham to some of the countries most stunning coastal scenery in Mull, Cornwall and Pembrokeshire.

There really is a spot for all in this book, all with fantastic pictures to boot. Expertly researched by Jo, you will find technical information about the trips, with hints and tips to do off the water (local instructors, hire companies, food, drink and transport).

The real highlight is Jo's writing. Her passion comes across in every sentence, you really feel like you are on the water every step of the way.

I can't recommend this book highly enough, and it was a pleasure to be involved in it.

Jo is a bit of a UK SUP icon, hosting the Joy of SUP podcast, a magazine contributor as well as the star of the award winning film 'Brave Enough - A Journey Home to Joy'.

Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain is published by Vertebrate Publishing (£20).

Improve your SUP Surfing with these Flat Water Drills

Fri, 27 May 2022 14:24:41 GMT

Flat Water drills to improve your SUP Surfing

Living both inland, and the nearest surf to me being Scotlands’ fairly inconsistent North Sea, time in the Surf is a precious commodity.

It is a time to make the most of the conditions, to rejoice in my favorite place to be, tapping into the natural forces that have traveled thousands of miles for you to experience. With the ability to surf a fickle and finite resource it pays to be physically and mentally ready to make the most of it when it comes. Here are a few tips and drills that you can do on the flat water to keep you in surf shape.

Move your feet - The surf is a dynamic environment and the confident moving of your feet around is a key surfing component, especially on comparatively larger SUPs. Spend time moving up and down your boards and also stepping into your surf stance. Not only will you feel the benefit when you are in the surf, flat water wise you will be able to react quicker, warm your feet up and never get the pain of overtensing your leg muscles.
Paddle in a surf stance - Bend those knees, open up the shoulders and you will find that paddling in a surf stance will give you a great flat water paddle workout. You will feel a lot more connected to your board, your ability to change the board's direction and speed with small body movements and then feel much more comfortable when on the wave.
Practice your step back pivot turns - Not only will you get the benefits of the two flatwater drills above, you will also be practicing the movements of a top turn when you are on a wave. Engaging the fins, leading with the head, then shoulders, then the rest of the body, driving the paddle around the back of the board to lift the nose….these are all the same vital cogs of a top turn as they are your step back pivot turn.
Look to get 5 or 6 quick strokes, on one side - To paddle onto a wave on a SUP you need to match the speed of the wave, so the ability to quickly gain speed is the key. The faster the wave, the more power and speed you need to generate. If you are changing hands during this process, the time lost in transition between sides will slow you down. With this in mind, look at short, sharp drills trying to keep the board in a straight line.
Paddle while looking over one shoulder - |Paddling while looking over your shoulder at an imaginary wave behind you, is a great drill to undertake. It will open your body up to use different upper body muscle groups. It will help to heighten your sensory awareness too, so that when you are in the line up and that dream wave comes along, you can make sure you are in the right place to drop in.
Have a go at Surf Skating - Surf Skates are skateboards with a swiveling front truck. This swiveling action means that the board will turn almost identically to a surfboard. The movements by which you would pump, carve and turn on a surfboard you can then replicate on concrete. It is a great workout and helps to fine tune your technique as you can practice the same maneuvers over and over again.

Goosehill Flash 12'6" x 28" Review

Wed, 25 May 2022 11:24:15 GMT

Goosehill Flash 12’6” Race/Touring Inflatable Review

Thanks to the good folks at U.S paddleboard company, Goosehill SUP, we were sent their brand new weapon, the Goosehill Flash 12’6” to review.

While I recovered from a particularly nasty Kitesurfing injury, the board sat there in its bag, taunting me. But, nearing recovery ( not quite though admittedly, sorry Mum!) the stunning weather forecast here in Perthshire was too much to resist.

A trip to a local Paddling gem, Clunie Loch on a sunny with showers day was the location to review the board. Wind wise, it was a calm day, with 3 knots of wind, occasionally gusting 10 knots, so, very, very calm.

The Goosehill Flash is touted as their inflatable race board, and is available in several sizes, 14’ x 26”, 14’ x 28”, 12’6” x 26” and 12’6” x 28”. I paddled the 12’6” x 28” x 6”. I am 5’11” tall and weigh approximately 83 kilograms.

The Goosehill Flash package comes with a bag, coiled leash, fin (U.S Fin box), electric pump and three piece carbon fiber paddle. It retails for £1214.

A strong sturdy bag is supplied with big wheels to move gear around with, plenty of extra storage capacity inside too, as you would expect in this premium price point. The Paddle is a high quality premium paddle, lightweight and strong, the blade size ideal for quick strokes, easy entry and exit.

Uniquely, the board package comes with an electric pump as standard ( and not with a standard hand pump). It has the capacity to pump boards up to 22psi and has inflate and deflate options. After the pump inflated the board up to the recommended 18 psi, attaching the 10” centre fin into the U.S Fin box, it was time to get on the water.

The first thing you notice on the water is that, for a 28” board it is incredibly stable. Popping up there is no wobble which you may have expected with this board width. One reason for this I feel is that, despite being 6” thick, the paddling position as the board sits in the water is fairly low, giving you a stable low centre of gravity.

The board tracks very well indeed, stop paddling and the board carries on its trajectory easily. Speed wise it sits very well indeed as a fast touring board, the excellent paddle transfers your physical effort into forward glide for the board.

The board only has a slight bit of rocker at its nose so this would I feel translate into an inflatable tourer which can deal with wind and chop pretty well. Conditions this testing day were too calm to be able to put this to the test.

I thoroughly enjoyed the speed and efficiency the board produced, genuinely surprised at how stable the board was despite the relatively small width. Paddle wise, its a quick and efficient power conduit.

Looking ahead to future models, I feel that supplying a standard SUP pump as well would be (however the fact it uses a universal U.S fin box means that you can change this yourself).

Overall, a fantastic board which I feel will be well received, user wise, an intermediate paddler would really enjoy this board, using it as a tourer and to clock plenty of miles exploring the water, or someone wanting a fast board to work up as sweat on.

Musandam, Oman - Exploring the Fjords of Arabia

Mon, 23 May 2022 11:11:35 GMT

Exploring the Musandam region of Oman by Sea Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard

The Musandam is a wild, empty place, stacked with adventurous opportunities in one of the most beautiful places you could ever imagine.

Musandam is a part of the country of Oman, yet separated from it as its land borders the United Arab Emirates. With the Arabian Gulf on one side and the Gulf of Oman on the other it is a World apart, yet, only an hour and a half drive from the bustling metropolis of Dubai.

Known as the ‘Norway of Arabia’, it is a land of dramatic, vertigo-inducing fjords, called Khors. These Khors are found everywhere along it's unbelievably indented coastline. The dramatic scenery is everywhere with tiny coves to find, hidden between these huge stone cliffs. The juxtaposition between the azure blue waters and the bright red cliffs is pretty staggering.

Working for Absolute Adventure over the winter months, when the temperatures are perfect for exploring, yet still lovely and warm in the water, has enabled me to experience this unique location on many occasions.

Entering Musandam, Oman, via its quieter Gulf of Oman border, at Dibba is like stepping back in time. The hustle and bustle of UAE urban life is replaced by a distinct change of pace. You will see more goats wandering around its dusty streets than people, occasionally a car will putter on by. The views seem to increase in beauty in relation to how quiet it becomes. A white sand beach tempts with miles to wander upon, along Dibba’s corniche.

A few kilometers up the road lies Dibba Mina, the port and harbour for this side of Musandam. Its a fascinating place with haggling at the fish market, smugglers boats trying to evade Omani customs and Dhow boats loading up to take people into Musandam’s hidden khors.

A Dhow boat is the traditional craft in these parts and offers a fantastic base to live aboard while you explore the coastline. They are the perfect platform to sleep in and on, eat your food under the stars, fish from, sunbathe on and also launch SUP’s and Kayaks from.

The views become even more inspiring from a paddleboard or kayak, you are paddling at just the right speed to truly take in the scenery. The huge indentations on the coastline means that the likelihood is that you will be able to find serene calm conditions to enjoy. Expect to see some azure blue waters underneath you, possibly Turtles, spinner dolphins and plenty of other marine life.

The high walls of the Khors seem to magnify the power of the sun hitting the water, so it is imperative to have lots of drinking water, sun cream and clothing that works to repel the rays.

Inland is a stark, bleak yet stunning landscape with amazing climbing, hidden ancient settlements and high peaks ready to be bagged. It is a place I cannot wait to be able to paddle and explore again.

The Paddle Start and Paddle Discover Awards - Which one is right for me?

Sun, 22 May 2022 11:57:40 GMT

British Canoeing Paddle Awards - Which one is right for me?

British Canoeing offers a huge array of Paddling awards, training and certification. Some are aimed at specific points of performance in specialist paddle craft, some are able to put you on the journey to becoming a coach, while others are there to help you discover Paddlesports and help guide you to becoming a confident paddler on the water.

From total beginners to becoming Works class Paddlesport athletes, there are awards to help you along your desired path. In the craft of your choice and the discipline you want to excel in.

The Award structure begins with Paddle Awards before the specialization's start with the Personal Performance Awards.

Paddle Surf Scotland is proud to offer the Paddle Start and Paddle Discover Awards.

Who are the Paddle Awards aimed at?

The Paddle Awards are for those getting into a boat for the first time, or fairly new to Paddling, enabling them to feel confident in their chosen craft in a sheltered water environment. The awards help empower the paddler, enabling them to start their lifelong journey into Paddlesport.

You can take the Paddle Awards in any craft, Stand Up Paddleboard, Kayak, Canoe or Inflatable Kayak.

The Paddle Start Award

The Paddle Start Award can be undertaken by anyone and could be your first time paddling, or after a few short sessions.

What is covered in the Start Award?

Clothing and Equipment Information, think if it like a crash course in everything you need to physically get yourself on the water, covering all types of equipment needed.

Tips for getting on the water including how to safely get in our out of your SUP, Canoe or Kayak from different places that you are likely to paddle.

Learn to paddle with practical skills such as forward paddling, turning and stopping.

Staying safe on and off the water, you'll learn about how to safe and make the most out of your paddle session.

What next?

Enjoy the Paddle Start session? You could progress on to the Paddle Discover Award, or start to paddle on your own in sheltered waters.

The Paddle Start Award is a 2 hour session costing £50pp.

Paddle Discover Award

If you've completed a Start Award and want to learn more, the Discover Award is perfect for you. It'll help you develop a better understanding of the fundamentals of paddling. It's also ideal for first time paddlers or those who have had a few lessons.

During this award, your instructor will work with you to evolve your decision making and practical skills, giving you confidence on the water.

What is the Discover Award?

The Discover Award allows you to develop your decision making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, as you become a more skilled and independent paddler. Through this award you will learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling.

Who is it for?

Anyone of any age who want to develop their skills on the water. You don’t need any previous experience to take your Discover Award, just the desire for fun and learning! You can take the award from any craft, from kayaks, canoes or SUPs.

Why should I do the Discover Award?

If you want to develop your skills from your Start Award, or feel like you need to expand your basic paddling knowledge further, this is the award you need. The award covers topics such as:

Encouraging independent decision making on different bodies of water (moving river, canal, estuary, harbour), covering safety and weather aspects too

Preparing for self-guided adventures

Equipment you will need for a variety of paddle trips

Further developing your canoe, kayak or SUP paddling and rescue skills

Our Paddle Discover Award is a full day of about 6 hours, so bring food, drink and warm, comfortable clothing for when you are off the water.

The Paddle Discover Award is £90pp.

On Board for Winter - A Winters travels

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 22:34:51 GMT

On Board for Winter

Paddle Surf Scotland head honcho reflects on his post Covid winter adventures.

After a long long time in which the end never seemed to get any nearer, Covid regulations started to relax globally. For a travel addict like myself it meant being able to get back on the horse, so to speak and discover more.

The Covid lockdown winter previously enabled me to spend a huge amount of time exploring nearer my doorstep. The huge amount of snow that Scotland had, gave me the opportunity to learn a new sport, Cross Country Skiing, alongside a whole lot of fun backcountry snowboarding. Whenever the snow melted, that meant only one thing too for me….high river levels and perfect river surfing conditions!.

But the travel bug returned and the regulations eased enough to let me do this.

First off was a Campervan trip to the West Coast of Ireland. Empty beaches, vivid greens, great surf and great friends were the order of the day as I visited counties Donegal, Sligo and Mayo, along with Antrim in the North. Surf sessions at Inniscrone, Strandhill and Rossnowlagh all stand out. With thousands of miles of coastline and the Wild Atlantic Way driving route to direct you, there really is something for all paddlers and surfers on this coast.

After a few surf trips to Scotland's North Coast, it was the strange sensation of airplane travel again after such a long while. Portugal was the destination, and the beaches in and around Lisbon in particular. Beautiful weather, pounding surf, great food and friends are always the way when I visit this area, but it was made even more special by getting to meet my little Goddaughter for the first time.

Ericiera is one of Europe's premier surfing destinations with World Class waves on its powerful reefs. Though the line ups were pretty busy, I was able to get plenty of fun sessions, while sharing the water with some of the World's best.

The final 3 months of the winter and it was time to leave Europe as I jet setted out to the Middle East to work in The United Arab Emirates and Oman. Working as Senior Watersports Instructor for Absolute Adventure, gave me incredible experiences leading trips in both countries. Driving big off- road vehicles over sand dunes and up steep mountain paths is not a bad working environment!!.

The Arabian Gulf is a surprisingly fertile spot for waves too, with an average of 100 annual days of surfable conditions. The fact that you can surf in a t-shirt and shorts under blue skies is truly a blessing, so, whatever the conditions there really isn't much excuse not to get in and get wet!.

This Winter was jam packed full of water adventures, here's to a fantastic summer in Scotland!!.

Ericiera - A SUP Surf Guide

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:44:31 GMT

Portugal's Surfing Paradise

Ericiera - A SUP Surf Guide

This was my second time surfing and visiting the town of Ericiera in Portugal. Each trip has made me fall in love with its waves, culture and scenery further. With powerful, consistent waves, an incredible year round climate and lots to do off the water, it could be Europe’s ultimate surf destination.

Situated less than an hour's drive on Portugal’s efficient toll Motorway system from Lisbon Airport, it is extremely easy to get to, making it great for quick visits as well as longer stays.

I have been greeted with pretty exceptional weather on both visits here (November and December), and the feeling of sunshine on the skin is pretty intoxicating arriving from deepest, darkest Scotland. High teens to early twenties were the norm in the day time, a wee bit cooler on the nights. Perfect ‘Doing things’ temperatures for me personally and watching the sun go down with a beer in hand while wearing board shorts in the Winter is a feeling I shall never get tired of.

Ericiera is one of Portugal’s, indeed, Europes, Surfing capitals. Home to a round of the WSL Surf World Tour’s competitions, and near to Peniche (home of the barrel fest wave that is Supertubos) and Nazare (home to possibly the World’s biggest surfed wave). It is full of surf shops, surf schools and the associated cultures with this. It is a great place to immerse yourself in the youthful energy this brings with it. It is a World Surfing Reserve, one of only 10 Worldwide, recognizing not just the quality of the surf breaks but its environmental, social and economic impact.

For a travelling surfer, it is an incredible location with a huge variety of places to surf in a relatively short space. One thing to note is that the surf can be huge here, especially in the winter. Expect big, powerful swells exploding after crossing the Atlantic. But, as the number of surf schools in the town testify, there are places where you can find smaller, less challenging conditions. The towns of Estoril and Cascais, and the Costa de Caparica, an hour or so’s drive south all offer beaches with different angles to those in Ericiera, so it is always worth looking at their forecasts if Ericiera is looking scarily big.

Probably the most famous wave in Ericeria, just north of town is Ribeira. A gorgeous beach with a couple of reefs which make for some metronomic lines of surf to be rolling in. This means that, while there are rocks and slabs underneath you which can be daunting at first, the waves break with mechanical consistency, so lining up the perfect place to take off is easy. I surfed here from 2ft to about 8ft, but there were days much bigger than that. The standard of surfing, like most places around here, is extremely high, so can be both slightly intimidating as well as inspirational. Take your time, be respectful and you can snag some unforgettable waves. For a slightly less intense line up atmosphere, the right breaks, as you look out from the beach, are slightly less performance orientated.

There are plenty of other incredible, powerful, performance waves, usually slabby reefs. Unless you are a pro, you may find that these spots are not for you when it is firing, but they are well worth watching the action. Coxos, Backdoor and Pedra Branca would all certainly fall into this category.

Praia Sul, Matadouros and, when everything is huge, the normally calm, Praia Pescadores are all more manageable locations to check out. Matadouros, for example, a firm surf school favourite, has much smaller waves near to shore as rocks offshore mean the waves lose power and reform.

Just north and south of town, breaks such as Praia Azul, Foz De Lizandro and Praia Sao Juliao are beach breaks if the slabs of Ericiera become too intimidating. The breaks shift much more than the reefs but there are fun times to be had out here.

If everything is too big in and around Ericiera, then the northerly facing Baleal beach in Peniche, or heading south to Estoril, Cascais or Caparica is well worth checking out. The superb and free Meo Beachcam App is an essential beachcams, with webcams all over Portugal.

Off the water, Ericiera is blessed with culture, food and activities. It is a famous seafood destination, with freshly caught Lobster and more at Cesar on the clifftop. In town, the Pregos at Lebre are a cheap, easy option or the Brazilian options at Prim are personal favourites. Vegetarians and Vegans will also be spoilt with lots of places including excellent Poke bowls.

The whitewashed old town makes for excellent sightseeing with plenty of shops and cafes. An incredible free skatepark, ‘Hollyskate’ is situated opposite Matadouros, by the Quiksilver Boardriders shop. Boardriders, along with the nearby Surf 58, are huge, surf emporiums with cafes, bars, surf shapers, gyms, yoga studios and surf and skate lessons. They also run DJ and Band nights on the Weekend, great to watch the sunset with a beer while enjoying the skating and music action.

Oh yeah, I haven't even mentioned the delights of Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, just down the road if the surf, skate and chilled vibes get too much for you!.

Surfing Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 16:22:04 GMT

A SUP Surf trip to Ireland’s West coast.

Surfing the Wild Atlantic Way

At over 2500km the Wild Atlantic Way is the Grandaddy of coastal drives, linking some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery of Ireland’s West Coast. With plenty of diverse landscapes, places to stay, beaches and of course, Irish pubs, there is an infinite amount of things to see.

On a two week trip in October 2021, I got to experience some of its magic, surfing along the coast of Donegal, Sligo and Mayo. It was a trip that left me wanting more.

Leaving on the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast, a quick, easy two hour journey across the Irish Sea, my van quickly found its way out of the city and through the gentle rolling countryside of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The first sign that I had crossed into the Republic was the speeds changing into Kilometres, the scenery soon changed as soon as I entered Donegal.

My first overnight stop was Rossnowlagh. A wide expanse of open, gently shelving beach which even lets you drive onto it, a pretty unique experience and I was pretty nervous about taking my big van on to it, but it survived the ordeal!. Rossnowlagh is famous for its mellow waves, long walls perfect for SUP surfing, making it an ideal introduction to surfing in Ireland. Rossnowlagh is a stunning little holiday destination, but out of season it was completely dead, meaning bar the odd dog walker or jogger, it was 3ft waves on a mile long white sand beach.

Next stop was Bundoran, Ireland’s surf capital. With surf shops alongside amusements, cafes and fairground rides, Bundoran is one of Ireland’s premier holiday resorts. Famous in surfing for The Peak, an A frame reef in the middle of the town, I surfed at Tullan Strand, its miles of waves, stretching North of the town. The surf wasn’t clean but I could see the potential here, especially the refraction wave, bouncing off the cliff and increasing the wave’s power.

The next stop on my Irish surf odyssey was Strandhill beach. It was a place that I surfed several times, finding some fantastic waves, ideal for SUP Surfing. Long lines and an easy take off made for an addictive cocktail which kept me coming back again and again. Strandhill is the beach resort suburb of Sligo, a buzzing little town well worth a visit. Strandhill is a favourite Longboarders beach so expect waves ideally suited to Paddleboards. Strandhill sits under Knocknarea, all 328 metres of it. Topping it is the huge 40,000 ton rock pile that is believed to be the grave of a Queen, Maeve. With spectacular views in all directions, the 40 minute hike from the top car park is totally worth the effort.

Dunmoran strand was my next stopping point, for a gentle flatwater paddle taking in the stunning views while waiting the the next swell to come in. Come in it did at Inniscrone, a giant sweeping bay and probably the best session of the entire trip. Under big blue skies on an empty beach, perfect peeling 5ft waves rolled in like clockwork, Long, drawn out turns were the order of the day, then a gentle paddle back with big gaps between the set waves, the SUP surf dream!.

A few days staying at the flat of some friends in the town of Westport made a welcome change from the van and of course, the luxury of having a shower. The brightly coloured Georgian streets of Westport made a fantastic base from which to explore the coast of County Mayo. Westport sits on Clare Bay, home to 365 islands, with almost unlimited SUP touring potential. It feels like someone took all the best bits of the North Coast 500 back home in Scotland and popped them into one giant bay. With the many islands protecting Westport from all but the hugest Atlantic swell’s, we hit up Carrowniskey and Cross beach. Conditions ranged from onshore 3 ft slop (still fun peaks to be found) to an incredible sundowner under blue skies. This session was particularly memorable, sharing mellow waves with friends in the turquoise waters. Only the October temperatures gave away the fact the water's colours were in Ireland and not in the Caribbean.

Ireland is not known as ‘The Emerald Isle’ for no reason. All that magnificent, lush greenery is due to the amount of rainfall that can fall. Luckily for me, as a Whitewater Kayaker and Paddleboarder, rain brings opportunities. The Bundorargha River is a small creek next to the outdoor centre my friends work at. This meant access to Kayaks and the opportunity to run the grade 2-3+ rapids along it. Some fun drops alongside some rapids with several committing moves needed to be made through its jagged rocks, culminating in paddling into Killary Fjord, the only Fjord in Ireland.

It was time to bid farewell to friends and retrace my steps back to the ferry and home. Strandhill again provided some fun peaks on a very windy offshore session. The wind then fully tore into the Irish West coast, so I made the decision to leave the Republic and head into Northern Ireland. Indeed, I got to witness Ireland's tallest waterfall, all 120 metres of it being blown, the wrong way, vertically up its face!. The Causeway coast of Antrim had yet more incredible coastal scenery and a little bit more protection from the strong westerly winds.

Portrush is Northern Ireland's premier surf destination and was my final surf. With beaches at both sides of the seaside resort it can attract plenty of swell. The town itself protected the East Strand from the prevailing wind, and with lots of surfers out it was great to see so many get their surf stoke on. The waves were not firing on all cylinders but it was still a fun way to finish off an incredible surf trip.

I only scratched the surface of what the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s West Coast has to offer a touring surfer. I was blown away by the rugged views, empty beaches and endless potential. I shall be back.

Wellness and Paddleboarding - Paddle yourself healthy and happy

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 20:59:49 GMT

Paddle your way to wellness

Water is known for its restorative qualities and, water-based activities for improving your wellness and wellbeing

From switching off your head from the daily grind, being in the moment learning something new, slowing down from every day life, communing with nature, Paddleboarding can help.

Here at Paddle Surf Scotland, we always want to encourage people to try out our watersports, regardless of their experience or skill.

We offer various activities and lessons. Whether you would like to get into whitewater, downwinders or racing. We can help you begin your water wellness journey.

Here are just a few of the ways you can enjoy some water fun with us!

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is one of the fastest-growing watersports and, Scotland’s cold, clear waters are the perfect place to try it out. With paddleboarding, you cannot fear falling in – it is definitely not a dry one! Don’t worry though, once you’ve mastered it, you’ll quickly fall in love and become hooked to paddling your cares away.

SUP Yoga

Soothe your spirit with something a little bit different: SUP Yoga. Our SUP Yoga sessions combine the peace, stretching and workout of traditional yoga while exploring stunning locations and backdrops. You will experience both the restorative qualities of yoga and the water at the same time: an excellent way to improve your wellness while basking in Scotland’s blue spaces.

Kayaking

Embrace your adventurous time with some kayaking this year. We have over 20 years of experience teaching kayaking and can help you every step of the way when trying out kayaking. We are happy to teach our kayaking lessons from any Perthshire location, Loch or River!

Wing Surfing

Once you hit the water with our wing surfing, you’ll quickly become hooked to the feeling of planing. The glide of the first wave will send your endorphins rushing and, we can guarantee you’ll want to experience that feeling again and again. The need to feel the glide will have you wanting to experience it all over again.

https://www.visitscotland.com/holidays-breaks/wellness/water-welln ess/

Paddling the World

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:13:46 GMT

Great Paddling Trips around the World

Great International Paddling Destinations

Paddle Surf Scotland main man, Matt Gambles takes a look back at some of his favorite Paddling destinations Worldwide.

My career working in the watersports industry has taken my to some incredible locations during the past twenty years or so. Both in a Kayak and on a Stand Up Paddleboard it has enabled me to experience new cultures, incredible sights and meet some amazing people. Indeed, without paddling I would have never have moved and fallen in love with Scotland, let alone ran one of the countries oldest SUP schools.

Via a mixture or SUP and Kayak ,here is a few of my favorite paddling locations I have been lucky enough to experience.

Innala Archipelago, Sweden/Finland

I was lucky enough to enjoy going to University in the tiny Lapland town of Tornio in Northern Finland. Sat at the top of the Gulf of Bothnia and with a twin town, Haparanda, over the border in Sweden it's an incredible paddle destination. The mighty Tornionjoki river churns through the town bringing snowmelt down into the Baltic Sea with some excellent whitewater. Just off the coast and paddle-able from both towns lies the Innala Archipelago. Literally thousands of tiny islands are to be found and enjoyed. Among them are several which make ideal camping places or indeed have huts to sleep in. With almost 24 hours of sunlight to paddle in during the Summer months, the opportunities are endless.

Paddling the Sun Run on the River Durance, France.

Working as a Whitewater Raft Guide and Kayak Instructor I got to spend many summers in the south of France. From the Mediterranean sea to the Dordogne it was an amazing experience. My three summers working in the Alpine town of Embrun was the highlight. An Alpine classic, the River Durance 'Sun Run' is 18 miles of big and bouncy whitewater all under majestic peaks. The air temperature may have been in the late twenties but the glacier fed Durance certainly wasn't. The Durance feeds into Lac Du Serre Poncon, Southern Europe's largest man made lake, offering incredible touring options.

Paddling the Southernmost tip of Europe, Spain

Many many winters I have been lucky enough to call Tarifa in Spain, home. With the bright lights of Tangiers, Morocco, in sight just across the straits of Gibraltar, it's a special place to be, Surfing and Kitesurfing. A must do is the SUP trip (when conditions allow, not that often in the winter) from the Mediterranean Sea beach of Playa Chica, around the southernmost tip of Europe, eventually landing on Playa De Valdevequeros on the Atlantic Ocean. 2 giant bodies of water, 2 continents, it's an awe inspiring paddle.

Surfing the World's most famous Point break, South Africa

Sharks, Great White Sharks, this was definitely a thought regularly going round my head while SUP Surfing in magnificent South Africa. Even more so in Jeffrey's Bay, where, famously World Champion Surfer Mick Fanning punched one while being attacked mid competition. It definitely adds a new part to your daily risk assessments while deciding where and when to surf. The legend of J Bay and it's famous right hand point break helped push me into getting in the water though. It's incredible fast and some of the best waves of my life where to be had on the draining walls of this World class wave.

Exploring Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand

Sat at the top of the South Island of New Zealand near the town of Picton, sits Queen Charlotte Sound. This place is huge, with stunning hills on either side of you as you explore it's hidden inlets and multiple dream camping spots. With the Abel Tasman National Park just along the coast, the top of the South Island is incredible for both Sea Kayaking and SUP Touring.

Surfing Reefs miles out to sea, Bali, Indonesia.

Bali is a surfers paradise, with an incredible array of differing breaks. From the gentle waves of Batu Balong in Canggu to the razor sharp reefs of Uluwatu. With incredible food, culture and views, it's one of my favorite places to surf and SUP. On the east coast sits the relaxed resort of Sanur. From its white sand beaches is a huge lagoon of azure blue waters, flat and calm making for lovely flat water paddling (especially with a snorkel and flips in tow). A few miles paddle across the lagoon sits some incredible churning reefs to surf. By the time you have paddled out, surfed your energy away and paddled back in, there are plenty of bars to welcome you with an ice cold Bintang.

Mosques and Mountains, Oman

Working teaching SUP and Kayaking in the United Arab Emirates gave me the opportunity to experience some unique cultures and some amazing paddling. Paddling with loggerhead Turtles next to a mangrove swamp as thousands of flying fish dart around you, or surfing while the Burj Al Arab, the World's highest building sits in the distance. Across the border from the glitz and glamour of the UAE, is the Musandam Peninsula of Oman. A World away, it is much more horse and cart than Hummer and Cartier across the border. With the many mosques competing with each other in their call to prayers, the huge peaks of the Hajar Mountains go straight from peak to sea, making for a sensory overload while paddling.

Five SUP Movies to watch online during lockdown

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:54:01 GMT

Keep the stoke high from the comfort of your couch

With the Winter being here in full effect, along with the current lockdown it can be hard sometimes to keep the Paddleboarding motivation high. With this eclectic list of films available to watch for free online, you can bring the sun, surf and stand up paddleboarding directly into your lounge.

Paddleboarding Movies to watch in lockdown

Conversessions

https://youtu.be/YPRLVT3Nz6o

Follow Dave Boehne and one of the sports forefathers, Dave Kalama surf perfection in Mexico.

That First Glide

https://youtu.be/4gtjt6UgJHo

A fascinating deep dive into the history of Stand Up Paddleboarding, from the beach boys of Malibu to the Worldwide phenomenon it is today.

Viking Crossing

https://youtu.be/fetZfgQ37Pc

Casper Steinfath is a SUP race World Champion and this film follows him in his quest to paddle the Skaggarak channel from Denmark to Norway.

Paradigm Lost

(Red Bull TV)

Kai Lenny is the ultimate Waterman. He is World class across many different watersports. From SUP to Kite to Tow in Surfing. It is awe inspiring.

The SUP Movie

(Red Bull TV)

The first big budget Paddleboarding film is the benchmark for all others. From the huge waves of Hawaii to adventure in less well known spots it has it all.

Five Podcasts to listen to in lockdown

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 10:37:19 GMT

With the current lockdown Covid restrictions, podcasts have become an even more vital component of my life. They can offer support, plant new ideas and give inspiration. Often, listening to a podcast is the motivation required for me to get out of the house, exercise and reap the rewards of a walk in the outdoors. Below are five which regularly help me with getting through these current times.

Looking Sideways

Hosted by Matt Barr, Snowboarding magazine editor and journalist, Looking Sideways 'takes a deep dive into the World of Action Sports and other related endeavours'. From board sports royalty; Pete Cabrinha, Terje Haakonson, Rob Machado, industry figures and great lesser known characters with amazing tales of life on boards, it's a weekly staple for me. It always a relaxed and informative chat with passionate people always with inspiring and thought provoking tales. Also worth checking is Type Two, Matt's podcast in conjunction with Patagonia which is more centred around environmental stories and interviews.

The After Hours Lounge

Originally coming from the bright lights of Nairn, Sandy Clunas' pod is a friendly, warm chat with a variety of people all with an overall strand of promoting mental health. The interview with Tez Plaveniaks, editor of SUP mag is particularly interesting. After having worked in the outdoor industry, the episodes regarding seasonaire life always catch my interest.

SUPfm

From tales of raging whitewater on the Ganges, international expeditions and SUP racing in the UK, there are plenty of interest for all Paddleboarders. I particularly enjoyed the Safety episode and the interview with Samantha Rutt, which is inspiring and topics range from racing to mental health.

The Badfish SUP Journal

Mike Harvey is the owner of Badfish SUP, a high performance Whitewater board manufacturer from Colorado. There is plenty of gold in this and Mike is an enthusiastic host. From Olympians to Fishermen, there is plenty to pique your interest and possibly introduce you to some of the many niche opportunities Paddleboarding can provide.

The High Performance Podcast

Not directly concerned with Paddleboarding, this pod looks at ways people have found to perform and inspire others to gain maximum performance. Hosted by Jake Humphreys and interviewing Sports people and well known names, it puts great context into the advice they espouse. Plenty of famous names to learn from including Steve Gerrard, Shaun Wane and Frank Lampard.

Winter SUP Essentials

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:29:46 GMT

Simple tips for Winter Paddling

Stand Up Paddleboarding in Winter is my favourite time of year to get on the water...the surf is more consistent and the rivers are continually high. These are the conditions that keep me excited and coming back to my board time and again.

It does have its challenges though, but with a bit of sensible prior planning and the right mental attitude it's the best time to be on the water!

Keep Warm - make sure you are paddling in suitable gear, prepare to fall in and stay warm. You can add a outer shell, be it a fancy cag or something as simple as an old waterproof to keep the wind and extremities at bay. Add layers as necessary, but definitely do not wear Cotton as it will make you colder as it retains the water when wet.

Move your feet regularly - Icy feet are a horrible feeling and can make or break your enjoyment. Wriggle your toes, walk along the board and get to your knees regularly to keep the blood flowing.

Wear something on your head - A huge amount of heat is lost through your head so stick something on pre, during and after your paddle. Have a pair of gloves on, or to hand as well.

Study the forecasts -Things can change quickly in the winter months, paddle within your limits and be prepared to change plans as necessary.

Let some one know where you are going - let them know when you expect to be off the water, and then let them know when you are off.

Have a means of communication

Have a warm drink and food ready to go

Set up your changing ritual in advance - get changed on a mat to keep temperature, have clothes ready to be put on in order and easily accessible

Scottish SUP Guide - The Photos

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:01:08 GMT

The Scottish SUP Guide - Full Colour Photos

I have been absolutely blown away by the response to the launch of my first ever book. The Scottish SUP Guide - Where to Stand Up Paddleboard in Scotland, is the first and only Scottish SUP Guidebook. It is packed full of photos and after release I got a fantastic StandupaddleUK, who are one of the biggest, best and most inspiring Instagram SUP pages. They suggested that a link of all of the photos in full colour, in one place would be most helpful, so, as requested, here they are!

Above: Lunan Bay, Angus. Page 19

Above: Crail Harbour. Fife. Page 21

Above: St Andrews East Sands, Fife. Page 23

Above: Loch Lubhair, Trossachs. Page 26

Above: Loch Earn, Perthshire. Page 28

Above: Loch Tay. Killin, Stirlingshire. Page 32

Above: Loch Tay East, Perthshire. Page 35

Above: Loch Rannoch, Perthshire. Page 37

Above: Loch Tummel, Perthshire. Page 39

Above: Clunie Loch, Perthshire. Page 41

Above: River Isla, Perthshire. Page 43

Above: River Tay, Perthshire. Page 50

Above: River Tay, Perthshire. Page 52

Above: River Tay, Perthshire. Page 55

Above: Nairn, Moray. Page 61

Above: Hopeman, Moray. Page 63

Above: Lossiemouth, Moray. Page 65

Above: Arisaig, Argyll. Page 68

Above: Glencoe, Argyll, Page 72

Above: Castle Stalker, Argyll. Page 76

Above: Gairloch, Highlands. Page 87

Above: Dunnet Beach, Highlands. Page 95

Above: Strathy Beach, Highlands. Page 96

Above: Durness, Highlands. Page 98

Covid 19 Procedures

Fri, 15 May 2020 13:08:46 GMT

Procedures in place to keep you safe.

Paddle Surf Scotland - Covid 19 - Practices and Operating Procedures

Paddle Surf Scotland is committed to operating SUP Lessons and Board Hire within strict guidelines to promote the reduction of contact during and after the current Corona Virus crisis.

All Kit and clothing is thoroughly washed and cleaned before and after the sessions/hires.

The number of people on a lesson shall be per Family Unit or single person. If you book for a session as a single person, you will get a one on one session with your instructor in order to minimise your contact with people outside your household. You can book in with someone else if they are in your household (classed as a family unit).

We shall request Wetsuit and Shoe sizes in advance so as to minimise contact with equipment and clothing. This shall be then provided to you to get changed into.

Physical distance between yourself(ves) and your instructor shall be at a minimum of Two metres away from each other. Where the instructor needs to enter this space, such as a rescue, once completed the gap shall then be in place again.

If you, or any of the member of your household display any symptoms of Corona Virus in the 14 days leading up to the Lesson/Hire, we request that you contact us to rearrange or cancel your lesson. Our Instructors are working under these guidelines as well, and will contact you if required.

If your Gift Voucher for a lesson or hire runs out during this time, they are extended for 6 months as standard. There is no need to contact us to get them extended, they are automatically extended.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation during this time. We hope to see as many of you as possible on the water, while remaining safe, happy and vigilant.

Scottish SUP Guide - Launching Scotland's First Guide Book

Fri, 15 May 2020 12:29:57 GMT

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

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Thirty - Elie and the East Neuk

Sat, 02 May 2020 17:17:05 GMT

Elie and the East Neuk

The East Neuk of Fife, on the Peninsula’s southern coast is a string of magnificent, quaint Fishing villages. They are all fantastic destinations in their own rights, each one with their own flavours. Several have secluded little Harbours which are still active, so expect to see small trawlers and photogenic Lobster Pots scattered around. In and around these small harbours you will find cliffs and some fairly secluded beaches to explore.

Facing South as this coastline does, the wind tends to blow cross-shore so be aware of the wind direction (and your skill levels) as well as the tide, when choosing where, if or when to get in.

Elie at the Western end of the East Neuk is a lovely family seaside resort with a wide sandy bay, making it a slightly more sheltered location than the more exposed East Neuk coastline elsewhere. It is a fairly shallow bay and a lovely place to spend an afternoon Paddleboarding. Looking across the Sea and the Firth of Firth to the South of Elie, admire the views of East Lothian, Bass Rock and on a good day, the Northumberland coastline.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Nine - Durness

Sat, 02 May 2020 17:11:53 GMT

Durness

At the far North West of Scotland lies Durness. It is remote, it is wild and boy it is beautiful. It is a small but well spread out village and a great stopping point on the North Coast 500 driving route. Despite being remote it has several spots to stay, have a drink and some tiny shops to stock up on essentials.

It is blessed with Four beaches, all of which are stunning; Balnakiel,Sango Bay, Sango Beg and Ceannabeinne. Balnakiel faces west and is a white sand and azure blue waters stunner of a place when the weather plays ball. Backed by small sand dunes and with some small cliffs and tiny bays to explore at its northern side, on a calm day it is ripe for exploration, while when the surf comes through the bay its a great place to experience the power of the Atlantic Ocean.

The other Three beaches all face North and are backed by some large, imposing Cliffs, offering a great juxtaposition with Balnakiel, just round the corner. They can produce some incredible surf. Between Sango Bay and Sango Beg lies Smoo Cave, a must visit. A large freshwater and Salt water Cave leading right on to the beach, it can be explored on foot or guided tour further in by boat.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Eight - River Tay Whitewater

Sat, 02 May 2020 16:26:52 GMT

Stanley to Thistlebrig, River Tay White Water

North of the City of Perth, and just off the main North to South artery, the A9 lies the small village of Stanley. The mighty River Tay flows next to it and its normal, flat but fast flowing nature changes. The River changes its attitude and appearance, providing some really fun and SUP friendly Grade 2 to 3 Whitewater. Being a River in a Country with a well earned reputation for rain, levels can change dramatically here, with different features working at different times.

From the get in at the bottom of the single track Linn Road, it looks like most of the Rivers length, lacking rapids. However, a look upstream and you can see a small, fun rapid, a great rapid to find your feet before paddling downstream. You can either walk up the river bank, cross a small stream of water on the left and carry on hiking up, or ferry glide over to the central island on the River and walk upstream to enter the rapid.

Above this rapid is a much larger rapid called Campsie Linn. A large amount of water flows through and makes some huge whirlpools and boils. It is highly recommended to to stay away from the Linn and not paddle it.

Paddling downstream from the get in and around the corner, a River wide Weir becomes visible with, at low to medium levels, three open sections to take. The Middle section is the deepest and the recommended line through. At higher levels the water may be going over the entire weir, you can see this Middle section channel still as it will have the longest wave train coming out the downstream side of it.

The Weir produces a fantastic wave for the nimble Paddleboarder at very low River levels.

After the Weir, there are several sections of smaller Grade 2 rapids, with plenty of eddies to pick up the pieces in between.

The final rapid is called Thistlebrig, a fun, bouncy long wave train. The Exit point is on the River Right bank directly after this, whereupon you can walk your board up a long set of steps to the Thistlebrig Car Park. Just after the egress point, at High River levels, again on River Right, is Wee Eric, a fantastic Surf Wave. One of Scotland’s best River Surfing waves, its a mellow ride, with an eddy right next to it.

As always with Whitewater Paddleboarding make sure that you have the correct skills, equipment and experience before heading out.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Seven - Lossiemouth

Fri, 01 May 2020 16:02:00 GMT

Lossiemouth

Known as the ‘Jewel of the Moray Firth’, Lossiemouth is a lovely seaside resort with a variety of places to go Paddleboarding. Lossie, as it is known has plenty of facilities, with high quality golf courses, excellent local Ice Cream and an active Air Force base to top it off. The town itself sits on small cliffs in between its two beaches, each offering different paddling options.

The more sheltered West Beach is the best place for a gentle paddle and an explore. It has a large, gently sloping beach mixed with rocks and cliffs for three miles, all the way to Covesea Lighthouse. Offshore, and in the right conditions (and experience), the Halliman Skerries with its old Lighthouse is an obvious Paddling target. Underneath Covesea lighthouse itself, and with parking near to the Lighthouse, the beach gets more surf usually, being more exposed than West Beach.

Round the other side of Lossie is the West Beach is usually accessed by a pedestrian walkway over the tidal River Lossie. This has recently condemned meaning access to the mile up on mile of glorious sand backed by dunes is currently off limits to almost everyone. For the Paddleboarder, this is not a problem however as you can paddle the short distance over to the beach, or wade across on the low tide. Be careful with this however as the water can be fast flowing around the Bridge stanchions. Once on the beach you will be rewarded with miles of empty beach and lots of potential surf breaks. Lossiemouth is one of the main Surfing centres on the Moray coast, yet there are plenty of peaks so crowds will never be a problem.

Being in the Moray Firth, it is a Wildlife Spotters dream with Dolphins and maybe even Orca Whales to be admired.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Six - Adventurous Perthshire Lochs

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:58:55 GMT

Hike or Bike to a Secret Perthshire Loch

Perthshire is blessed with some incredible places to paddle, waterside parking, good facilities and easy, legal access. What it also has, in abbundance are many lesser known Lochs. Places which are not as easily accessible yet reward the intrepid with solitude, magnificent views and a sense of achievement in even getting to them. With a bike or a hike in, the Lochs below are all magical places for those wanting a real, away from it all place to Paddleboard.

Loch Skiach - In the hills above Logierait and Ballinguard, up from the B898 (Dunkeld to Aberfeldy), Loch Skiach (and its neighbour Little Loch Skiach) is a 5km hike or ride in. With views across to Ben Vrackie and down to the River Tay, it is a fantastic place for a paddle away from it all. The highlight of Loch Skiach as well as the Paddling reward is the fact that it has it’s very own Bothy. An overnight stay, or just as a spot to prepare some well deserved lunch, this is a very unique place to make the effort to Paddleboard.

Loch Ordie is situated high up on the opposite side of the Tay Valley from Loch Skiach and can be accessed from paths from both Dunkeld and Guay. Its a very pretty, decent sized Loch. On one (long and best suited to bike) route in from Dunkeld, it is possible to Paddleboard on Four different Locations; Ordie, Rotmell, Dowally and Mill Dam.

Loch Kennard

Sat in the middle of the Griffin Forest, high above Aberfeldy sits Loch Kennard. A beautiful, large, tree lined Loch accessed by Forest roads from the car park on the A826. Indeed the Car Park is next to the small but very paddleable Loch Na Creige.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Five - Loch Morlich

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:13:26 GMT

Loch Morlich

With a large sandy beach to enjoy, there is somewhat of a coastal vibe, highlighted by the fact that it is the only Freshwater beach to have a coveted Keep Scotland Beautiful Beach Award. Yet, at 320m high above sea level and backed by the magnificent Northern Cairngorm Mountains, this Loch, just above the town of Aviemore is more than meets the eye.

In the Springtime indeed it is more than possible to go for a Paddle on this stunning Loch and then mere minutes later be Skiing down a run at nearby Cairngorm Ski Resort. The view from the water across the beach and up to Cairngorm is a Scottish classic. There is car parking, refreshments and easy access from the beach side of the Loch.

The area less visited on Loch Morlich by Paddlers is the Western edge, the first part of the Loch you see as you approach from Aviemore. With car parking in several laybys next to the Loch, this is usually the side of the loch with the calmest waters to paddle as the wind pushes across the loch towards the beachside.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Four - River Isla, Coupar Angus

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:07:59 GMT

River Isla, Coupar Angus

Flowing gently through farmland, yet with views to the distant Angus Glens and Perthshire hills, the River Isla makes a great trip. Getting on the Isla just underneath the small town of Coupar Angus, it is a nice fairly gentle run as the Isla sedately makes its way to the end of its journey as it joins the River Tay.

The best place to egress this section of the Isla is by the A93 at Kinclaven. This trip of about 7 miles is a lovely touring section. It is worth noting that the Prevailing wind is likely to be blowing into your face, so worth doing on a day when the wind is less strong.

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Explore www.outdoorexplore.co.uk

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Three - Loch Ness

Fri, 01 May 2020 14:58:31 GMT

Loch Ness

The Big Daddy of all Scottish Lochs, and one that will be on many a Paddleboarders tick list. Even if you do not manage to catch a glimpse of the Fabled Loch Ness Monster, the views are pretty awe inspiring anyway.

Loch Ness is huge, extending for 23 miles (37km) from Fort Augustus in the West towards the Highland Capital, Inverness in the East. It has a multitude of places to access the water from along both its Northern and Southern sides, some of note being at Fort Augustus, Dores and the many laybys on the Northern side (A82) as the road reaches the Eastern edge of the Loch.

Because of its size, the weather makes a huge impact on conditions. Indeed with 27 miles of fetch, the Author has SUP Surfed here, experiencing 4 ft Windswell on a rocky and somewhat sketchy pointbreak set up. Be aware of all conditions and make sure you are fully prepared and experienced if you do decide to SUP on Loch Ness.

Having said that, with the right conditions, then the views are spectacular and it really is a Bucket List Paddle. Winds tend to come from the West so it is usually calmer at Fort Augustus in the West. The small marina just outside, on the A82 heading towards Inverness is a pretty good weather proof entry point with Cherry Island in the middle of the bay plus the Historic Caledonian Canal locks to admire as well as the Loch views themselves.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty Two - Clunie Loch

Fri, 01 May 2020 14:40:56 GMT

Clunie Loch

Halfway between Dunkeld and Blairgowrie sits Clunie Loch, one of Perthshire’s most popular Paddleboarding locations. With easy access from car to water and surrounded by hills and trees, it is one of the areas most weatherproof paddle spots. With the prevailing winds coming from the West, the laybys or church side parking on this side usually offer the most calm waters to explore.

Clunie is blessed with its own Island, upon which stands the ruins of a 15th Century Castle. Although crumbling (and unsafe to use the non existent stairs to upper levels), its still an amazing place to spend some time, the Laird of your own private island.

With Lily Ponds in the Summer on its Western edge, gentle shoreline and limited access to pretty much the entire Northern shore, it has plenty of Wildlife to enjoy. Recently a pair of Ospreys has taken to nesting in one of its trees, an amazing sight.

Clunie has become a popular camping spot and with this litter has become a problem. We would encourage all visitors to take their litter home with them and help keep access open to this special place.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty One - Arisaig

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:08:43 GMT

Arisaig

Azure blue waters, white sand beachs, dolphins skipping by...the Caribbean Sea right?.....think again, this is the West Coast of Scotland. Arisaig and its next door neighbour, the Silver Sands of Morar. They are situated at the end of the Road to the Isles, the A830 from Fort William, the drive in itself is a Scottish highlight, passing through magnificent scenery (including the Glen Finnan Memorial and the Train Viaduct made famous in Harry Potter).

Arisaig consists of a number of small white sand bays with laybys to park in.The winds usually come from the West and are therefore onshore so less worries about being blown to sea than most places. Still, it is essential to be well prepared and competent with a high tidal range here.

The views are as spectacular as the colour of the water beneath your feet, looking out towards the islands of Rum and Eigg. In the right conditions, a sunset paddle here could give you some of the most Instagrammable shots in the World!.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twenty - Lunan Bay

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:53:50 GMT

Lunan Bay

Probably the jewel in the crown of the East Coast's beaches, this huge horseshoe bay is halfway between Arbroath and Montrose on the Angus Coast. With a central car park, just a wander over the views from the water, a cafe and camp site, it's a great destination. The view from the top of the dunes is spectacular with cliffs rising at both ends of the beach.

In perfect conditions, a paddle to the north from the main beach and up to the ruined Boddin Lime Kilns makes a great day out. Paddling through rock pools, under cliffs and through kelp beds, all in spectacular coastal scenery, this is a fantastic, through committing paddle.

Lunan Bay is one of the East Coast's top surfing destinations, with plenty of powerful peaks along its length. It's best on the pushing tide from Mid to High, as it doesn't tend to work at Low tide.

Watch out for strong rips when there is surf here, especially around the entrance to Lunan Burn where it's drains into the sea. Also be aware that the prevailing wind is offshore on Scotland's East Coast.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Nineteen - Loch Venacher

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:50:09 GMT

Loch Venacher

Loch Venachar lies between the popular tourist town of Callander and the small settlement of Brig o’ Turk in the heart of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. At 3.7 miles long it offers a big area to explore in a lovely forested landscape. Despite its size it still offers a fair amount of protection from the prevailing wind with plenty of nooks and crannies. The further west you put in, the more calm water you are likely to find.

A good paddle is from the beaches near the Venacher Lochside Cafe on the northern shore (A821) across the Loch to Invertrossachs, which has plenty of secluded beaches and tiny islands to explore.

Portnellan island in Loch Venachar is an Iron Age crannog which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Using other Sports to your SUP Advantage

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:09:49 GMT

How other Hobbies can help your Paddle Skills

Do you ski?, snowboard?, play golf?, tennis?. I am sure that there are many sports and activities that you have tried over the years. The skills and experiences that you have gained doing theses, whatever they may be, can really help your paddleboarding development.

A great example is turning your board - whether it is on a wave or on the flat. Looking where you want to go is essential to a successful SUP turn. As a skier or boarder, if you don't look where you are going into the turn the likelihood of falling increases. By looking where you are going you get to wind your body up and use your core to power the turn. This is very similar to teeing off at golf or serving in tennis.

There are so many sports and activities that have transferrable skills to them. Have a think about what you do in your other sports and see if any of them can aid your paddleboarding. By going the other way, Stand Up Paddleboarding can really benefit your other sports. The fantastic core workout you can recieve on your board being a prime example.

So next time you are on the court, the golf course, pitch, piste or on your bike, have a think about what you are doing with your body, and bring it onto your SUP.

Technique - Getting up for the First Time

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:02:34 GMT

How to Stand Up on your Paddleboard

For your first time on a SUP, go out in calm, flat, enclosed water. Going out in windy, choppy or surfy conditions for your first experience will be very counter productive and a potentially demoralising experience. An hour in calm conditions on your board, will help your skills (and enjoyment) much more than going straight in at the deep end in waves (believe us, we did it the waves way first and we wish we had done it the other way round!).

We highly reccommend getting instruction for your first time on a board, not only will you learn lots of great habits but you will get a great idea of where a SUP can take you, and how to get there.

The Location

For your first time on a Stand Up Paddleboard, look for a flat water location that has easy access and little, if any, wind affecting. By not going to a choppy, or wavey location, you can just concentrate on being comfortable with standing up on a board and on enjoying paddling around. You will find progression will come much quicker this way, and moving into the surf or exposed water will be much more satisfying.

Getting on the board and standing up

The board will have a handle, or a place to carry it. This is the perfect marker to get in your head as to where your knees need to be as you get on the board. Get your knees nice and wide apart on the board. Hold your paddle across the deck with your knuckles pointing down on the deck. Look straight ahead and stand up. The key to this, and being stable on the board is to keep looking ahead, keeping the legs slightly bent and the back straight.

When first trying to stand up, EVERYONE makes the same mistakes, they all look down at their board and they all stick their bum out!! Its really important to get rid of these two bits of the stance. Looking ahead means your centre of gravity is over your body, so you are more stable. By having your bum in, legs bent and back straight, you will keep your balance much easier, have a good stable centre of gravity and be able to adapt to changes in the water conditions.

A good tip is to get your paddle in the water and paddling as soon as you stand up on your board. PadThe Location

Paddling will help your stability, acting as a brace in the water. This is a great tip to remember moving forward in your stand up paddling, paddling gives you stability.

United Arab Emirates - A Stand Up Paddleboarding Guide

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:34:05 GMT

Where to Paddle in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai, Abu Dhabi. Probably not the first places you would think of for SUP Destinations. Desert, 7 star hotels, giant buildings and shopping all probably spring to mind. With turquiose waters, warm sea temperatures and plenty of flights from Europe, the Paddleboarding opportunities here make for a fantastic Winter escape.

Dubai is the big draw to this country and is as brash and in your face as you might expect. It is a huge place (made easier to get around with its excellent Metro system) with a series of superlatives; the World’s tallest building, biggest shopping centre, biggest indoor ski centre, tallest hotel, biggest fountain, the list goes on. Plenty to see in your time off the water, but on it there are fantastic views of this incredible skyline with warm, blue waters under your feet. Kite Beach, Jumeriah Beach and Umm Suquiem Beach all over free access to the usually calm waters. Mornings are the best time for glassy conditions. Several places in the vicinity hire SUPs. When conditions allow, these are Dubai’s surf beaches as well so you may score waves here too.

Other Dubai locations include the miriad of inland waterways both here and Sharjah. Going along the coast the buildings decrease in size, at least only slightly, but the beaches become quieter and there are several surf beaches along this area, which include, going east: Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. The Umm Al Quwain Kite Centre offers hire, great food and a relaxed vibe off the water. Further east, plenty of flatwater opportunites can be found at Ras Al Khemiah, with a lovely and large marina and estuary to explore.

On the UAE’s other, East Coast, facing the Gulf of Oman, there is plenty more to paddle. Highlights definitely include paddling to Snoopy Island, a fantastic snorkelling destination just off the coast of Khor Fakkan. Amazing scenery inland abound on this coast, looking towards the Hajar Mountains. Plenty of surf hits this coast, Tim’s Reef near Al Aqah offers the most consistent wave, but Fujairah can get swell too. South of Fujairah, towards the Oman border lies Khor Kalba. A Mangrove laden estuary which gives the paddler the opportunity to paddle up close and personal with Turtles and flying fish, thousands of them. Paddling at Khor Kalba needs to be organised via Absolute Adventure who have exclusive access.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Seventeen - Killin, Loch Tay

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:32:17 GMT

Killin and Western Loch Tay

Loch Tay is the largest of the Perthshire Lochs and, at it's Western end lies Killin.

It's a pretty village with plenty of tourist facilities, chief of which being the majestic Falls of Dochart, a series of rapids which tumble down river and underneath a bridge. This view has to be one of Scotland's most photographed.

Paddle wise, Killin is a great destination. Being surrounded by large hills, they offer protection from the prevailing westerly winds. This can make it a good place to go if the wind is not favourable for Kenmore at its eastern end.

Paddleboarding at Killin is all about contrasts. By getting in, next to the Killin Hotel (park at the Killin Town Hall car park) you start on the Killin canal. This gives ideal, slow moving water to start with, ideal for beginners. As you paddle towards the Loch, under a series of small bridges the terrain opens up with lovely views. An island just before the Loch itself means you take enjoy a leisurely circumnavigation while taking in the views, at the same time not having to fully commit to the more exposed waters of the loch itself. Note that the waters of Loch Tay as you reach it can be extremely shallow for a short distance so there is a chance of getting a deep fin run aground in the soft mud.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Eighteen - Loch Tummel

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:28:51 GMT

Loch Tummel

Loch Tummel is situated west of the popular tourist town of Pitlochry, which is the nearest spot with major facilities. It is one of the most photographed views of Scotland with the view taken from the Queen's View visitor centre being highlighted on plenty of visitor guides and postcards.

It's a big narrow body of water to paddle on, running west from Tummel Bridge toward the East and Clunie Hydro Electric Power Station. Access wise, the smaller southern road offers the best, with a few small roadside lay-bys, especially near the power station itself. This area offers both a wee bit of wind protection as well as several small islands to head out and explore as well.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Sixteen - Loch Lubnaig

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:56:40 GMT

Loch Lubnaig

Situated in the Trossachs, between Callander and Strathyre, beneath the magnificent peak of Ben Ledi, Loch Lubnaig is a lovely place for a paddle.

It has a shape very much based on its North to South shape, and this, combined with the shelter that Ben Ledi can sometimes provide, means that it can have a lot less wind than many east to west Trossach lochs in the prevailing wind (Westerly). If the wind is coming from the less dominant North or South directions, then one of the other Lochs in the area will be more suitable, such as Loch Earn or Loch Vennachar.

There are several car parks on the main road (A84) providing water side access from your car to the water. It should be noted that the loch is situated in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which has a Bye Law preventing all wild camping.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Fourteen - Badachro

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:53:56 GMT

Badachro

Situated on the banks of Loch Gairloch, a few miles from Gairloch itself, lies the lovely hamlet of Badachro. Badachro is situated in a sheltered cove which enables it to be a great destination to Paddle from when other locations in the Gairloch region are not suitable.

You will find plenty of boats moored in the cove and around the launch ramp. The piles of lobster pots all add to the atmosphere in this surprisingly busy little spot. The Badachro Inn has an incredible setting for a post Paddle refreshment.

The scenery is rather mind blowing with different vistas appearing at different points, from looking towards Gairloch to several small Islands including Eillean Horrisdale,which is joined on to the mainland at low tide.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Fifteen - Poolewe

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:53:38 GMT

Poolewe

Poolewe is famous for it’s semi tropical climate and its historical gardens in which you can admire plants and palm trees not normally seen at this latitude. The village also makes a fantastic Paddleboarding destination as well. Situated in a sweeping semi circle on Loch Ewe, Poolewe offers a large amount of protection for the paddler while also encompassing stunning Highland views.

It should be noted that you should treat the around around the river mouth where Loch Maree joins Loch Ewe with some caution as there is a large amount of water moving in this area.

There are plenty of places to stay and eat, all adding to Poolewe being a most favourable location. A combination of paddling at Poolewe, Gairloch main beach and Badachro would be a fantastic introduction to North Coast 500 Paddleboarding, offering a mix of everything, Palm Trees, White Sands, Islands, Rock pools and mountain views.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Thirteen - Gairloch

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 13:16:10 GMT

Gairloch

Gairloch in the North West Highlands is as spectacular a place to SUP as they come, boasting white sand beaches, islands, incredible wildlife and views. Reached by stunning drive from the Highland’s capital, Inverness, Gairloch is a village spread out around several bays, from the Harbour and north to the Big Sands Caravan Park. All types of accommodation are available plus several pubs, eateries and galleries. The community run GALE Centre is a great first place to visit with local information, good food and amazing views.

Depending on conditions, there are several places to Paddleboard, the one thing that unites them is incredible views. The busy Harbour can offer the best sheltered paddleboarding, especially from Mid to High Tide. Just north on the coastal road, parking near the golf course, you come to Gairloch main beach. This offers incredible white sands and clear blue waters. Several rock escarpments and coves can be explored from here.

North again comes Big Sands Beach, next to the caravan park of the same name. As the name suggests, there are plenty of white sands to admire and stunning vistas. Offshore is Longa Island, with the requisite experience and conditions at hand this can be an amazing day trip out to it.

Wildlife abounds with dolphin sightings likely and a chance of spotting whales, several whale watching companies are based in Gairloch.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Twelve - Nairn

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 11:36:28 GMT

Nairn

Nairn in Moray is a lovely seaside town in the county of Moray, fairly near to the Highland capital of Inverness. It offers plenty of facilities including cafes, shops, campsites and hotels, with lovely beachside parks to relax in.

Nairn has miles and miles of sandy beach to paddle alongside, going both east and west from the Harbour. The views from the water are spectacular, looking across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and the Caithness coast beyond. The chances of seeing a pod of inquistive, playful Dolphins is fairly high and definitely a big draw to the area. Another is the claim that Nairn has to be the sunniest place in mainland Scotland.

At the centre of it all is Nairn Harbour, which is a great place to find your balance in flat, still water, exploring the moored boats, before paddling into the lower River Nairn, which leads down onto the Moray Firth itself. If the weather is against you, then the Harbour means that you can still get out for a paddle in sheltered conditions.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Eleven - Hopeman

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 11:31:58 GMT

Hopeman

Hopeman is a lovely seaside village in Moray. It has a fantastic, welcoming caravan park, plenty of eateries and art galleries, stunning coastal paths, twee beach huts (very instagrammable!) and a skatepark.

It has a large, double basin harbour as its centre piece, meaning at Mid to High Tide, you can paddle in most conditions in a decent size area in most conditions. It is a great place to explore.

Leaving the harbour mouth, you enter the smaller of Hopeman’s two beaches, East Sands. Its a lovely spot to paddle with spectacular views towards the Black Isle and beyond. Sometimes the surf gods play ball and you will find the most beginner friendly of Hopeman’s surf spots here.

At the other side of the Harbour is the larger West Sands, a series of sandy bays, with rocky islets here and there to pick your way through. The most western edge has the finest sands and a series of beautiful Beach Huts to admire. There is car parking at the Harbour and by the West Sands. By combining a harbour start, into the east sands and round to the west sands, with the wind behind you, you can enjoy a downwinder then walk back along the road to your vehicle quite easily.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Ten - Loch Earn

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 11:27:22 GMT

Loch Earn

Loch Earn is a stunning large loch in Mid Scotland. It straddles the border between Stirlingshire and Perthshire, with this it becomes one of the most accessible big Lochs to the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Stirling. This can therefore be a great location to meet up for a paddle with friends who live in one of the other Scottish Cities to yourself.

It offers grand scenery along all the sides of it's dark water with several Munro's visible, making it a great shout to combine a hike with a paddle. On its Western edge lies the village of Lochearnhead, home of a cracking waterside pub, The Clachan. There are several access points, notably parking in the public car park and walking across the road. Because of the prevailing wind coming from the west, this tends to be the most sheltered area of the loch, making it a popular place with Wakeboarding and Water Ski boats.

Along both edges of the loch are roads, the northern side having the main route, the A85. There are plentiful lay-bys to pull over, park up and get in. The eastern edge of the loch is marked by the lovely village of St Fillans, again with plenty of access points.

Exposed Waters - Things to consider before your first trips

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:35:32 GMT

Paddleboarding on the coast and large lakes - A Quick First Time Guide

Now that you are comfortable in standing up on a board and in the core paddling techniques, its time to challenge yourself, to go out on that big lake, to paddle down that river, or see whats around the next headland at the coast. A whole world of possibilities will now open up to you and the time spent mastering technique in calm, flat water will mean only some fine tuning and much, much more fun for you going forwards.

The Location.

In this module we are looking at stand up paddling in exposed waters, by this we are meaning that they may be affected by wind, waves, chop and possibly tide, they may involve some planning, some weather watching and be slightly more of an undertaking.

When it comes to planning the location of your SUP trip, always err on the side of caution, if in doubt, don’t go out. Consult the weather, make sure you have a plan B in case you need to get off the water earlier in a trip, make sure people know where you have gone and what time you will be back.

If its a slightly windy day, have you thought about tailoring the trip so the wind is behind you rather than against it?, ask yourselves lots of questions, and lots of ‘what if’s’ when you are deciding on an exposed water destination.

The Correct Equipment.

Going out into exposed water may mean some extra equipment. On a trip you may want to bring a first aid kit, mobile phone, water and food in a dry bag. A Buoyancy Aid may be a good idea. Connecting yourself to your board with a leash certainly will be. Clothing relevant to the conditions is a huge consideration, a good wetsuit is essential, and if you are wearing any fabric make sure its something man made, rather than cotton as this will make you colder when its wet.

Below is a good tick list on what to think about while planning your trip to exposed waters:

- stay within your skill level

- Tell others where you are going, and for how long

- Always paddle with a friend

- Check the weather forecast

- Dress for the temperature and conditions

- Wear a leash

- Be willing to cancel the trip or change the location if the weather dictates.

Downwinders - One way is the Right Way!

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:30:42 GMT

Journeying with the wind on your back....

Downwinders!

Downwinders are FUN! Lots of fun! Less effort, more glide, more surfing, they are an incredible thing to do. Choose your location carefully so that you know exactly where you are getting in, out and also any access points in between the two. On rigid boards, this will involve car logistics, with inflatables, it could also involve checking public transport times too!

Using unbroken swell as it passes underneath you gives you an extra push and speed on the water, even bigger waves enable you to surf them. On small to medium sized swell what you are wanting is to look for a bit of water in front of you that looks like its downhill (or anticipate a bit of swell coming from behind you that may do this), you then want to lean forward and PADDLE HARD to get onto this unbroken wave. You should find the board accelerates downwards towards the waves bottom (its ‘trough’), you want to use the acceleration but not go completely into the trough. This means you then want to bring your weight slightly further backwards to stop the boards nose going in the trough, and keeping you accelerating forwards. In larger swell, it may involve you popping into a surf stance, to keep the acceleration, and to stop the nose going into the trough. Downwinders are great practise for the pop of getting into your surf stance, as you can do it over and over again.

Effect of wind and waves.

Wind and waves have a huge effect on stand up paddleboarding. Too windy and, because of how the board sits above the water,the board will struggle to move well upwind. Too wavy and tactics and planning getting in and out are needed. If you believe that the conditions are above your skill level, then find a venue more suitable, if you are still happy to go out, lets look at how you can make your life easier.

is move your weight forward on the board, this means that much less of the boards surface area is in contact with the wind, and also you, the paddler, are controlling much less of the board, so its easier to keep the board facing up wind.

When you are paddling directly downwind, moving your weight slightly backwards on the board has a similar effect, you are now controlling less of the board as less of the board is being affected by the wind.

The distance you move up and down the board will change depending on the conditions and your personal preferences, but should make a difference in your paddling. Next time you see the lines of a gust on the water coming towards you, have a practise of a slight shift of positioning on the board and you will notice the difference.

When you are out in conditions that are not just flat and calm, try to always have an active blade, by this we mean that your paddle is always either doing a stroke or in the vicinity of the water. The board moving gives you more stability than staying still, and having a blade near or preferably in the water means you can keep moving, and also use the paddle as a brace for extra support.

Wave Paddling Techniques

Wind also creates waves, these may not always be breaking ones like the ones that we surf on but they can still be used to our advantage.

When paddling out through unbroken waves, look at always having an active paddle and an aggressive posture to get through them, when paddling across them, it can help to use the following tactics to aid you. Paddling across the waves the waves are making you unstable pushing you away from your preferred destination, so paddle mainly on the down wave board side to keep the board pointing to your preferred destination. Using a ferry gliding technique, of paddling on the downwave side combined with angle the board slightly into the waves, and upwind of your final destination is a very effective technique. It means that the waves mean you are less unstable and the waves help propel you across to your final destination point.

Fitness - How Does SUP Compare to Other Sports?

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:27:35 GMT

One feature of my local beach I used to live on (Playa De Los Lances in Tarifa, Spain) is the regular, strong offshore winds. This is one of the worlds premier kitesurf and windsurf destinations, attracted by this very wind. As a paddleboarder it means constantly working to combat them, and lovely sculpted, smooth wave faces. In a future blog, we shall discuss how to surf offshore conditions well.

Coming off the water I am fully content, and also, fully tired out!. The contstant paddling into strong winds, the kicking you get from a good wave session and the strong sun all add to the mix. I personally love this feeling of being tired out and stoked at the same time.

A fellow Paddleboarder (and accomplished kitesurfer and wakeboarder) commented to me that he thought Paddleboarding was physically the most involved and tiring of all his many board sports. I tended to agree, as we are constantly flexing our muscles for balance, using our core to paddle and much more.

After researching the subject, I found some pretty astounding figures for us Paddleboarders, which will certainly act as more motivation for me to get there.

These figure are all based on an hours excercise and show the calories burnt.

SUP Activities (in light winds):

Casual - 430 - 305 (About twice that of a casual paced walk)

Yoga - 540 -416

Touring - 708 -615

SUP surfing - 735 - 623

Racing - 1125 - 723

Other Sports:

Surfing - 412

Biking - 483

Running - 650

Swimming - 840

Very interesting reading, and certainly explains getting tired quickly while Paddleboarding. The Racing stat is of interest too, for me personally, I think that I shall look at incorporating higher intensity bursts of paddling into my personal paddling (and instructing too).

So, with a smug face, after being such a calorie burning super athlete (!!), I shall sign off for now. Adios and see you on the water.

The Glide - The Ultimate Feeling

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:24:34 GMT

It is the ultimate. The feeling we crave. The reason for many peoples lives. The sensation when a wave picks you up and transfers you and your board onto its momentum and path. It can last merely a split second, as your board rises up, starts to plane and the wave becomes your playground.

This wave, a unique one off, that has travelled sometimes thousands of miles across the ocean, has become ride-able in that split second. It has given you the opportunity for your many hours, years of dedication and practise, to merge with it and share its power in that first glide.

Snowboarders have deep powder, skaters have bowls, windsurfers have planing, what they all have in common when they are at their best, many proponents will say, is the feeling that 'its just like surfing'. All of these varied and incredible sports all come wanting to experience that same feeling, the first glide on a wave.

Its an addiction, from your first feeling when a tiny broken wave picks you up, to the world's best paddling into huge Hawaiian monsters, the need to feel the glide is what keeps us coming back for more.

Its healthy, its pure, it is the ultimate, that first glide.

Surfing - The Rules and the Right Places to Learn

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:21:52 GMT

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Learning to Surf on a SUP will give you a lifetime of fun, challenge and incredible experiences. Learning on a SUP rather than a traditional surfboard is actually easier, as the larger board makes it easier to pick up swell (especially small waves), plus your already standing up so no need to have to get to your feet. You can catch waves longer and the extra volume means you can surf on a small day where otherwise you would not be able to surf.

By learning to SUP in calm, flat water conditions, you should hopefully be fairly happy with your paddle strokes and moving around the board. This means you can just concentrate on the wave itself. If you haven’t done much SUP’ing before, we recommend you spend a fair bit of time on the flat before getting in the surf as you will really feel the benefit of the paddle strokes becoming second nature.

Types of wave.

We shall only quickly cover this section as there are loads of online rescources which investigate waves, their formation, types and other bits and bobs. Definitely spend time researching these, and just as importantly, when you turn up at your chosen surf spot, spend time watching the waves, where they break, any rips to help you get out, where the surfers line up etc. 5 minutes sat watching will help you immesureably as you get on the water, giving you a great overview of whats going on around you.

Waves come in loads of shapes and sizes, but to start with you will want to look for a gently peeling wave with a gently crumbling shoulder, like a mellow beachbreak or a small point break. Waves breaking directly onto the beach (shorebreaks) or waves closing out into a mass of whitewater, are going to be really really tough learning conditions.

The location, risk assessing.

When choosing where to surf, make sure that you have done a bit of research prior to getting there and getting in the water - is the spot bad for rips?, is there other surfers there?, is there mobile signal or a phone box?, is it blowing too much offshore for your ability?, are there rocks or obstructions in the water?.

Find some landmarks around you so that you can always know where you are and not drift away from your spot, as wind and shore currents could push you into a hazardous area.

Find a calm spot of water to launch in, time it between the sets if need be. By trying to get out through lines of crashing whitewater, not only is it really hard toil, but your board can get caught and be a danger to other water users.

Rules of the Surf

When surfing please show respect to other water users and it will be returned to you.

The number one rule is to never drop in on someone, if they are already riding a wave, let them have it, if they are already paddling for it, let it go.

If someone is in a position nearest to the breaking wave and paddling for it, then they have right of way on the wave.

If someone is on a wave and surfing on it, it is you that needs to get out of their way, not the other way round.

Always wear a leash, your board is a lethal weapon to other water users without it.

On a SUP, its easy to get lots of waves, and hog the line up, please respect other water users so that everyone gets their fair share.

What Paddleboard is right for me?

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:46:33 GMT

Choosing a Paddleboard to buy

One of the great things about this sport of ours is the speed in which you can become independent and start going out on your own. It is an empowering and inspiring aspect, having the confidence to go on the water (be it alone, with friends or an organized group) and use the skills imparted by your instructor. This may initially be hiring a board in enclosed waters, but eventually (and pretty quickly in most cases), thoughts come round to purchasing your own board.

This can quickly become a minefield of jargon, confusion and conflicting advice. As possibly the main piece of advice I have been asked in 7 years of instructing Paddleboarding, I thought that I would break it down a little. The simple answer is, there is no go-to first board for a Stand Up Paddleboarder. The right board for you will come down to several variables - Inflatable or Rigid, Cost, Type of Paddling you want to do and your physical specs (are you tall or small, weight etc).

Inflatable or Rigid - Is storage and transportation an issue? Maybe a good quality Inflatable board could help make this easier for you. They pack down small, can be slung in the boot of a car or on public transportation, can be used by family and friends, can go on overseas holidays and offer lots of convenience. There are inflatables out there with unbelievable performance levels in all disciplines (they are perfect for whitewater, there are numerous inflatable race categories), but, compared to an identical rigid, performance will be less (lack of rail for surfing, flex in the board, sitting higher in the waterline so affected by wind more). Rigids can have a higher performance as they will be faster (no flex), sit lower in the water line (affected by wind less) and have rails to engage (surfing, windsup, wingsurf etc). They can be shaped to the exact specifications of what the board is designed to do, rather than have the limitations of having to be shaped by what an inflatable allows. However, transport and storage could be an issue to many, while you need to be careful not to damage (or 'ding') your board.

Cost - There are some really cheap boards out there and there are some really expensive boards out there. Now, as we all know, what you pay for is what you get is a pretty decent rule, however there are many excellent boards out there of a similar quality at a fair/mid range price. Spend time on forums, demo prospective boards, make sure they have an excellent warranty with. If its an inflatable, make sure its good enough for all conditions you may ever take it into; make sure its PSI is enough to support your weight, if its sturdy enough to keep you afloat, happy and progressing. If it comes as a package, check out the quality of the leash and paddle, getting a good carbon blade for example is a huge, huge bonus and many packages offer this as a cost effective upgrade.

Type of Paddling - Will you be mainly surfing? If so, there are surf shapes available (and many different ones dependent on the type of surfing and conditions you are going out in. Your surfing ability will improve but you may find out that your board performance decreases. Similarly if you are wanting to explore mainly, there are longer thinner touring boards out there. These will be faster and more streamlined, so you can see more on the water, the pay off may be less surf performance and you may need to work on your turning skills more (no bad thing!). For many people we see come through Paddle Surf Scotland, touring and exploring is their end goal. All Round boards are most likely the shapes of the boards you have learnt on, they will do a bit of everything, making them ideal school boards. However just because this is what you started on, don't necessarily stick to this style only, as I say, I believe most folks just wanting to explore/potter about, may possibly suit a Tourer more. If its Whitewater, an All Rounder is probably going to work fantastic for your first steps on moving water. As you progress you may want to invest in a more specialised board, with its more robust design, shaped keel line to help stop getting tangled on eddy lines etc. A River Surfing SUP may be a shorter Surf SUP design.

Physical Specs - Are you a Heavier Paddler? Make sure the board can comfortably support your weight. Are you a Taller Paddler? Make sure the board wide enough to compensate for the fact that the effects of a wobble by you is magnified compared to someone smaller. Are you a Smaller Paddler? Make sure the board is thin enough that you can comfortably get your paddle and hands vertical fully outside of the board in order to have an efficient stroke.

As you can see, there is more to choosing a board than fancy colours!. In future Blog posts, I shall come back to these points and break them down further. In the meantime, feel free to contact us. We can also offer boards from several high end brands including Red Paddle Co, Starboard, Tiki, Fanatic and more.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Nine - Loch Tay

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 14:16:30 GMT

Here is a Golden Oldie from back in 2013!

Aaaaaah, the sun! How I have missed you! Those golden rays shone down on me as I paddled up Loch Tay this febuary afternoon. I took the opportunity to blow off my winter cobwebs and have my first british SUP paddle of 2013.

Arriving at the stunning conservation village of Kenmore, at Loch Tays eastern edge, I got my gear on and walked my board down to the waters edge. I was greeted by a view of majestic snow capped peaks on the Ben Lawers massif, and best of all, not an iota of wind!. The sun shone down and, reflected by the Loch's waters, the heat given off definately did not feel like a typical febuary day.

I set off from the beach and sauntered past the boathouse and through the many buoys sat out on the water, all of them longing for those summer days when the pleasure boats use them for mooring and fill up the bay. The next location for me and my SUP was to paddle over to explore the Isle of Loch Tay.

The Isle of Loch Tay , in Gaelic - Eilean nam Ban-naomh ('Isle of holy women') is about 500 metres away from Kenmore, making a great destination to paddle over to, leave your board at the waters edge, and experience a bit of 'Robinson Crusoe' adventure. The island has a ruin to clamber over, formerly a 12th century nunnery and is the burial place of Queen Sybilla, the wife of Alexander I of Scotland.

My little boys own adventure over, its back on the water, as I carried on paddling along Loch Tays northern shore, passing the huge hulk of an old boat, sitting forlornly on the shore, as I headed up to Fearnan. The sun still beating, the mountain views expanded, enabling my to see the snowy mountains which look down on Killin, some 17 miles away. With the prevailing winds behind you, a downwinder from Killin to Kenmore is one the countries best downwind paddles.

It was time to turn around and head towards Kenmore again, and feel the suns warm rays on my back. I headed diagonally across the loch to its southern edge and the tiny village of Acharn. I scooted around the working salmon farm, past a heron, sat on a buoy, acting like a sentry for the salmon farm.

I then carried along the banks of the Loch to the Scottish Crannog centre. This is an incredible reconstruction of an Iron age dwelling, a Crannog, which sits on stilts above the water. The smoke rising from next to it, was luckily not it going up in flames, but a demonstration of iron age cooking and crafts.

The final leg is upon me as the waters become shallower and I make my way back to Kenmores beach. I find it hard to leave this beautiful place to put my gear away, savouring the views and the sun. But I am thankful I got to have such a stunning paddle, only a SUP lets me experience this place like this.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Eight - Loch Faskally

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 14:03:33 GMT

Loch Faskally, Perthshire

Loch Faskally is a man made loch in Pitlochry, Scotland. It was made to provide power for a hydro electric scheme and is surrounded by stunning scenery. It runs from the Pitlochry hydro dam at its southern end and the confluence of the rivers' Tummel and Garry. It normally wind free due to its location, tucked deep in a valley. A number of access points enable you to get on the water easily, they include:

Pitlochry boating centre,

Clunie Hydro station picnic area and car park,

Faskally caravan park.

Highlights worth checking out include the Linn of Tummel (a two tier waterfall, where the Tummel joins the loch, and the chance of seeing leaping salmon as they head upstream. The loch is next to the thriving tourist town of Pitlochry, home to 2 distilleries and a micro brewery to wet your whistle after a days exploration on beautiful Loch Faskally

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Seven - Loch Rannoch

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:57:51 GMT

Loch Rannoch

Beautiful Loch Rannoch is a fairly remote loch but with easy roadside access. It has stunning views looking west into Glencoe and of Schiehallion, 'the fairy mountain'. Kinloch Rannoch is a small village on the eastern shore of the loch, it has several hotels, a cafe and a petrol pump, the 'buzzing' hub of local Rannoch life. You can park right by the waters edge and get straight onto the water here, or carry on driving to the western side of the loch at Rannoch station, just stop and get on where ever looks good.

While on the drive up from the A9 and Pitlochry (its one road in, one road out round here folks), you will pass two other lochs which can be paddled. Loch Tummel and Dunalastair Water. Dunalastair is a good bet on a windy day, when a SUP may be a mission on Loch Rannoch, due to its shallow waters and sheltered location. Loch Tummel has similar stunning views like Rannoch, the easiest access points are to be found at the campsite you pass just after Queens View visitor centre, or take the (even) quieter road along the lochs southern shore, where the Hydro dam and the Sailing club are good bets.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Six - River Tay, Dunkeld

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:54:34 GMT

River Tay, Dunkeld, Perthshire

The River Tay is Scotlands longest river, flowing from stunning Loch Tay all the way to the sea in Dundee. Most sections are safe and easy for SUPs. The Grandtully whitewater section should be portaged, while the section between Stanley and Thistlebrig should only be undertaken by experienced whitewater SUP'ers.

The River around the charming twin villages of Dunkeld and Birnam passes stunning scenery and historic monuments, such as the ruins of Dunkeld Cathedral and the Birnam Oak, as mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth. The river is usually a fairly easy paddle for all abilities, with great views of the tree lined valley. Just upstream from the Hilton hotel on river right, there is sometimes a nice play wave to surf your board in, with deep, safe water downstream of it.

As you go through Dunkeld, the gradient increases as it heads underneath the Thomas Telford designed bridge. There are navigable wave trains (either standing up or kneeling down, depending on how wet your want to get!) on both the left and right hand banks, the right hand bank usually having a bigger, bouncier wave train.

There are lots of places to access the river. For a long day paddle, get on at the Logierait Inn (Logierait)or Port-Na-Craig Inn (Pitlochry). For a shorter trip, a footpath just by the Dalguise road turning off the A9, leads down to a big river eddy.

Egress can be done in low flows just above the Telford Bridge in Dunkeld, or otherwise, below the wavetrains on the River's right hand bank.

Theres lots to see and do in Dunkeld and Birnam....the Beatrix Potter exhibition and garden, Loch of the Lowes Osprey colony, Hermitage waterfall, mountain biking, 4x4 safaris, quad biking, pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Five - Loch Freuchie and the River Quaich

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:43:01 GMT

Loch Freuchie and the River Quaich, Perthshire

River Quaich

This lovely little river feeds into Loch Freuchie, so a great day can be had exploring the two. At Loch Freuchies far western end, underneath a little stone humpback bridge, the River Quaich meanders into the Loch. By putting in here (and with a bit of a stoop to get under the bridge), you can enjoy a stunning paddle up the river, as far as you want to go (weather dependant). It meanders back and forth, so it is very slow moving, and has a fantastic exploration feel about it.

Loch Freuchie

Paddling on Loch Freuchie really is about getting away from it all. Its a fairly remote Loch, equidistant between Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Crieff (all between 10 and 12 miles away). Loch Freuchie (Gaelic - Fraoch - 'the heatherly loch') offers stunning views of the Breadalbane mountains and a real feeling of getting away from it all. Its also only a few kilometres in length, making it perfect for a circumnavigation. Why not, bring along a picnic so you can stop along one of its beaches too?,

Access onto the water is probably easiest from the Loch's western end, just off a private road leading to a small humpback bridge. Take extra care and consideration while finding a spot to leave your car. To find Loch Freuchie, take the road signposted 'Glen Quaich' of the A822 in the small settlement of Amulree.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Four - St Andrews

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:37:09 GMT

St Andrews, Fife

The historic university town of St Andrews is a must visit destination. It has loads to see; golf, a buzzing cafe culture, a castle and a cathedral. More importantly, it has two stunning beaches which can get great surf!.

West Sands is the larger of the two beaches. Well over two kilometres long, it backs on to the world famous Old Course. There is free parking all the way down the beach.

East sands is round the other end of town and has a small car park. It is next to the towns lovely harbour. This helps make East sands more sheltered, so a good bet on windy days.

Surf wise, it works best in medium to big, NE to E swells. Just south of St Andrews is Kingsbarns, a great reef break for more experienced surfers, while north is Tentsmuir, which can be fun when St Andrews is too big.

On a still calm day, a paddle around St Andrew's cliffs is an absolute must, You can paddle between the 2 beaches around the towns one kilometre length of cliffs. There is lots to see, from sea birds to seals, a castles beach to land on, and lots of small protruding reefs to manouvre round.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Three - Polney Loch

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:32:48 GMT

Polney Loch, Dunkeld, Perthshire

Polney loch is situated just outside of Dunkeld, to get there from the town, drive past the Hilton hotel entrance and carry on towards Pitlochry and A9 North, a mile along the road, you will find the loch on the right hand side. Looking down into the Tay Valley, and looking up to Polney and Craig a Barns crags, stunning views can be seen in whichever direction you look.

The loch is usually covered with lillies, which makes it a very unique and special place to paddle on (definitely bring a camera for this, and the special sunsets). The lillies and the closeness of the crags mean that there is usually not a spot of wind on the water here - so a great go-to loch in case of lots of wind at other spots ( the photo above was taken on a still, calm Polney loch, when even in Dunkeld, the winds were gusting at 40mph).

Scottish SUP Guide - Number Two - River Tay - Dunkeld to Caputh

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:25:22 GMT

River Tay - Dunkeld to Caputh, Perthshire

River Tay - Dunkeld to Caputh

The River Tay is Scotlands longest river, snaking its way through stunning terrain along its length. This section is 3 miles long and marks the divide between the Highlands and Lowlands, passing over as it does, the Highland fault line. Starting in Dunkeld, you can get on at the Atholl Arms, which is a Scottish Canoe Association access point - this puts you straight into a small rapid, nothing of consquence though, fun to do standing up or on your knees.

To avoid the rapid, you can enter the river at the other side in the village of Birnam which has access via lots of small beaches. From here down you go past lots of sweeping turns as you head down to Caputh. The views upstream are especially spectacular, looking up to Dunkelds steep, craggy valley.

The get out point on this section is the road bridge in Caputh, which you cannot miss, as you see it from a kilometre upstream.

Nestled next to the majestic Polney Climbing Crag, this little loch has a stunning location and unique atmosphere to paddle in.

Stand Up Paddleboarding on the North Coast 500

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:19:56 GMT

Scotland’s Far North - The Final Frontier

The far north of Scotland is wild, rugged and untamed. Its a real 'out there' destination where you can get away from the rat race, and discover your own piece of SUP nirvana. In the last few weeks I have undertaken two SUP road trips to this incredible region. Staying in a van, with boards on the roof, myself and a fellow SUP surfer, Rich, were to find a land virtually untapped with potential for SUP'ing .

Roads narrow up here, houses are few and far apart (think miles and miles apart) and every car that you pass you find yourself giving a friendly wave to...simple pleasures in a grand landscape.Being as unpopulated as it is, the chances of being in the water (let alone on the beach), it really feels like you are the first paddle boarder to surf or paddle that spot, and in many cases, it will be the truth.

So, if vast landscapes, exploration and peace and quiet appeal, then Scotland's far north could be the place for you. The weather here is extremely fickle so you may find that 1 ft surf forecast on magic seaweed turn out to be 40 mile winds and 10 ft monster swells.....the trick up here is to be able to change your initial plans if needed and go with the flow. There are beaches and coves that can work in most conditions, so if your initial spot is blown out, check the map and drive on. Inland you will find lots of majestic lochs and rivers, where odds are you will be the first SUP to hit the water ever (the roads from Bonar bridge and Lairg to Durness or Tongue, will get you into places with incredible touring potential.

Back on the coast, Oldmoreshore (near Kinlochbervie) on the west coast is easily accessible to get to and is a beautiful sheltered beach which can get some great surf in tropical looking waters. If its flat then the touring and exploring opportunities are endless.

Sandwood bay is a very remote beach further on, which involves several hours walk in to it (inflatables could be the way forward here), but the rewards are incredible views and camping potential. It is said that if it is flat at Sandwood, then everywhere in Scotland will be.

Driving up the west coast, we reach the north coast at the straggled coastal village of Durness. It has accommodation,two shops and two pubs...a real metropolis up here, so make sure you stock up on provisions. It has three surf beaches, Balnakeil, Sango Bay and Sango Beg. They all face different directions so can hoover up any swell going. On our last trip, Balnakeil was flat as a pancake while Sango Beg was firing. All the beaches are in majestic surroundings as well, so make sure you get the chance to SUP in the far north west of Scotland.

Driving east from Durness, the single track road is slow going, but the unbelievable scenery certainly makes up for that, the grand landscapes of Loch Eriboll enticing you onto the water. Towards Tongue and Talmine, there is again real SUP exploration potential, especially out to the Rabbit Islands.

Driving on, the next little village is Bettyhill, which houses two incredible beaches, Farr Bay and Armadale. These can hold a hell of a lot of surf and have great access. You can check the surf from the roadside and they are a great place to surf and are sheltered from the prevailing winds, which can be a godsend.

Carrying on driving westwards, Melvich is a rivermouth break that can be fantastic, just watch for rips. The Nuclear reactor at Dounreay looms over the coast next, best to avoid the beaches in its vicinity methinks!.

After Dounreay, the landscape changes dramatically as we leave the county of Sutherland and enter Caithness. The land is flatter, characterized by stone slabs in the fields as stone walls, and the opportunities for surf change too. Caithness is the home of world class waves breaking onto shallow reefs. Beaches are at a premium, so make sure your surfing is up to scratch as it can be board (and bone) breaking territory. Its certainly worth taking time to visit the mythical waves of Brims Ness, Shit Pipe and Thurso East, you may get to see pro surfers tear them to shreds (or themselves to shreds if it goes wrong!).

Thurso is the main (and indeed, only) town on the north coast, so its time to stock up on supplies, check out the mighty Thurso East and get used to seeing traffic lights, Tesco and people again.

Leaving Thurso, we continue east towards John O' Groats. On the way, Dunnet Beach is one of only a few beaches in Caithness and after frothing on watching the pro's in Thurso, you can get on the water in safe conditions and a bit of surf. John O' Groats, valhalla for sponsored walkers, is where the north coast ends and the east coast begins.

Just outside John O' Groats, a small side road leads to Duncansby Stacks. Here, 200ft high cliffs drop into the North Sea and three equally huge cliff stacks lie just off the coast. Initially here just to admire the views, we found glassy conditions on the water. With a twinkle in our eyes, we both said how incredible it would be if we could find a way down the cliffs and go out on our boards. Upon further inspection, we found a steep but doable path down to the water. The decision was made, this was too good an opportunity to miss, so we geared up and scrambled down the cliff (inflatables are highly reccomended). Onto the water, and with skuas and puffins flying about us, we got a unique view of this amazing landscape. If any other stand up paddlers have also had the honour of doing this before us, I would be very suprised.

Buzzing after the Duncansby Stack paddle, its time to drive south to Sinclairs Bay, just north of Wick. It is a huge crescent shaped beach which has access at both ends of the beach. At the south end, and by the grand Ackersgill Tower we got to surf some nice 3 foot swell.

The surf didn't stop there and a few hours south the beach break at Brora served up more juice for us. Tired and exhausted, it was time to put pedal to the metal for the long drive home. The far north of Scotland again delivered with great surf, an unspoilt, varied landscape and the knowledge that I have to return to this amazing place.

WingSurfing and WindSUPing in Perthshire

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:12:47 GMT

Where to go in Perthshire and Tayside

WindSUPing in Perthshire and Tayside

Many larger Stand Up Paddleboards (both rigid and inflatable) have the option of letting you add a Windsurfing rig onto your board. This offers amazing opportunities to still get out on your paddleboard if the wind picks up or is forecast in advance to blow.

Windsurf magazines are extolling the virtues of WindSUPing, indeed advising their readers to beg, borrow or steal a SUP to learn how to wavesail in lighter winds.

For a paddleboarder with a sail, mast and boom in your car, Perthshire and the Tayside region has some incredible locations to get out and WindSUP.

The brand new sport of Wingsurfing offers you the same freedom to add wind fun onto your Paddleboarding adventures. It is a handheld inflatable Kite-like structure, that is safe, easy to learn and set up. Paddle Surf Scotland is proud to offer One on One lessons in Perthshire, Contact us for more details or to book in.

Highland Perthshire has many large, majestic loch's which are ideal for this new addition to the paddleboarding family. Loch Tay has excellent access to the water on both its north and south sides and 17 miles of open water mean it really can get some good wind. Dalerb, a forestry commission area, a mile or two out of Kenmore has excellent access in a stunning location, as does Fearnan, a couple of miles further on. The wind usually blows from Killin towards Kenmore, so expect less wind and calmer conditions the nearer to Killin you get.

Loch's Rannoch and Tummel offer similar conditions to Loch Tay. Kinloch Rannoch beach on Rannoch is a good place to get out, as is the south Loch Tummel road.

Loch Freuchie (a huge SUP favourite with the Paddle Surf Scotland crew) at its eastern end offers great access and, due to the prevailing winds, can offer strong wind in pretty glassy water. Its a real WindSUP jewel in the Perthshire crown.

By the coast and we find plenty of great WindSUP locations. Near Dundee, and in the mouth of the Tay estuary, Monifieth is the most popular Windsurf and Kitesurf spot. It offers (usually) cross shore conditions in which to blast into the Tay estuary. The water can be only waist high so real good fun can be had, remember though, it is the mouth of Scotland's biggest river so be aware of the currents.

Carnoustie, just north of Dundee, and St Andrews in Fife, offer beautiful beaches and miles of sands to get out and charge alongside. The coastal opportunities are endless in this area, so when the wind blows, the paddleboard really does not need to go away!.

Scottish SUP Guide - Number One - River Tay - Pitlochry to Ballinluig

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:06:31 GMT

This is a great section of about 5 miles of fairly fast grade one to two water in lovely countryside. This is the final stretch of the River Tummel before it joins the mighty River Tay. It starts in Pitlochry, a major Highland tourist town, with great facilities including hotels, hostels, campsites, cafes and shops. The route starts just below the huge, impressive, Faskally hydro-electric dam (note, this river is dam released, so be aware of the water levels rising when on the water). Above the dam is lovely Loch Faskally which makes another great destination (see its own seperate guide further down ther list).

Parking at the start is possible near the Pitlochry festival theatre which has a car park, or the Port-Na-Craig hamlet road. Alternatively, park by the rugby pitch on the opposite bank.

From the start you are in fast flowing water, before a nice calm section heading underneath Pitlochry's foot and road bridges. The river then begins to become a little more shallow just before the road bridge for the A9. After picking your line down here (left at low water levels) and heading under the bridge, the first rapid awaits. As with all the rapids on this section it is a nice, safe wave train. At medium to high levels it is a lot of fun to surf it too.

Heading down towards Ballinluig, lots of fun lines and small rapids await. Just watch out for anglers and overhanging branches on the outside of some bends.

The egress point for this section is just before the next road bridge on the right hand side at Ballinluig. Alternatively, you can carry on the 9 miles to Dunkeld to make a fantastic fully day on the water

Falling In - A Love Story

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 13:01:55 GMT

An Ode to Stacking It

The reason that Paddleboarding gets me, and I get Paddleboarding is all about falling in. That great dance, the when, not if. I am going to fall in, at some point, very very soon, its going to happen.

Now this may seem strange, praising the falling in stage, the 'failures'. But I see those failures as steps on the way to success. I see it as the water teaching me a lesson, a 'close but not close enough' moment, a watery shit sandwich if you will.

Falling in gives me humility, it teaches me to accept failure, learn from it, get back on the board and try again. Skateboarding was my first passion (and remains one to this day) and believe me, Skateboarding is hard. It hurts, the concrete, the board smacking your shins, it hurts. But the more times you fall the closer you are to succeeding in landing a trick. You can either fall, walk away and give up or you can take the falls lessons and put it into your next try. I always tried to take this approach back into my Skating and believe me the buzz of succeeding after adversity is intoxicating!. The reason Skateboarding and in time, SUP resonated was exactly because it was hard that kept me coming back to it. The reward at the end of the rainbow. Bungee Jumping, Scooter riding, Jet Skiing, things easier to pick up and do (or pay someone else to do it for you), they were never going to stick, never going to keep me coming back for more.

From the start of my Paddleboarding life, about Eight or Nine years ago it was the same feelings of failure and rewards. SUP is a strange old activity, it looks super easy as you watch people glide through the harbour or carve along a wave, but (as I am sure you know!), appearances can be deceptive. Its a balance on a knife edge, seconds away from a splash kind of sport which rewards endeavour and commitment over time.

After 9 years of SUP all around the world (and over Thirty years of boardsports) I still spend a significant amount of any surf or river trip in the water trying to work out the lessons I need to learn from my last fall from grace. Long may it continue.

As a coach, I love to see folks not seeing falling in as a failure but as a learning tool on the way to becoming better Paddleboarders because Falling in is an essential part of why this sport will keep you coming back for more and more.

So there you have it, fall in, commit, learn and progress. I love it!

Windsurfing with your SUP

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:55:51 GMT

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WindSUP - Unlock the Wind

Windsurfing has been around for many decades now, in fact pretty much the whole early development of SUP came from pioneering Windsurf companies and designers. It is a worldwide sport with professional World Tour’s, Olympic participation and thousands of truly devoted Sailors throughout the globe. As a Windsurfer (albeit, not particularly good one) previous to taking up Stand Up Paddleboarding, I love the feeling that Sailing on boards gives me; the connection to both the wind and the water, and the exhilaration of acceleration as a strong gust connects with your sail. It truly is one of the best, most elemental feelings in any watersport.

Many SUP’s, both inflatable and rigid can be used to Windsurf on. This category of board is know as WindSUP. It can add another dimension to your board use, and you may very soon be looking excitedly for wind in the weather forecast as much as for those classic, glassy days.

Because Windsurfing has been around for donkey’s years, second hand extremely cheap kit is easy to come by too, meaning that WindSUP can be a relatively cheap sport to get into. A few sizes of Sails will mean that you can go out and have fun in different conditions too, so get on Ebay, Gumtree etc and start digging.

Performance wise, a WindSUP is the Family car equivalent to a specialist Windsurf rig’s Formula One car. It is great for pottering about and having fun, but it is never going to perform as well some something made especially to harness the wind. Having said that, they are super fun in lighter and marginal winds and incredibly good in light wind wave sailing. Sticking a sail in the car on your next SUP trip could be the difference between an amazing session and a windy slogathon with your paddle in hand.

It is definitely worth getting some instruction before heading out there on your own. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the UK’s governing body and their Start Windsurfing program is ideal for getting you up and going (literally).

Add Windsurfing to your SUP skills repetoire and you can be out on the water loving life whatever the weather!.

Whitewater - SUP's New Frontier

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:52:03 GMT

Why SUP in Whitewater?

Whitewater - SUP's new frontier

Stand Up Paddleboarding - lakes, bikinis, beaches, waves, selfies, yoga...that’s about the gist of it right?. For many folks that may be true, but here in the Highlands of Scotland there is a small niche of the sport that is truly exciting and boundary pushing - Whitewater. We are blessed with an abundance of the wet stuff falling from the sky year round and this finds its way into our plethora of varied rivers to create a SUP playground unlike many places on earth.

The niche discipline of Whitewater SUP is still pretty small and has until recently been pioneered to such Whitewater legends as Dan Gavere and Corran Addison, steeped in Kayaking and Canoeing tradition. They have pushed the designs of SUP boards to the limit in order to find out what works for the punishing environments they can find themselves in. Boards tend to be inflatable or plastic (glass, rigid boards can be destroyed easily in this unforgiving environment) and take many design features (planing hulls for example) from Kayaking. There may be required extra safety equipment such as pads and throwlines, again taken from the Kayaking world.

It was an experienced Whitewater Kayaker that I first discovered Whitewater SUP, and the first thing that I found out that it is hard!. I swam a lot, and continue to swim loads to this day. However that is the nature of the beast and the ease of getting back on a SUP compared to a Kayak negates this fact (and it is a fact!). The fact it was a tough challenge is what appealed to me as I found myself excited and challenged on river sections that had become easy in my Kayak. A fresh love for the local rivers unfurled itself. Paddling a SUP down a rapid is very different to a kayak; the extra height gives you a different perspective, you can see further and inspect a section without stopping. This gives the rapids a new look and feeling to them. A good knowledge of Whitewater, its features and safety is key as is going on the river with good people around you who you can trust in. For Whitewater Kayakers/Canoeists this will hopefully be fairly second nature but for folks coming from a purely SUP background then get in touch with a SUP Comany offering Whitewater courses or tours.

Being such a new SUP category, the likelihood of other SUP’ers having paddled your river or section is not that high, especially here in the Highlands, so the kudos of having a first SUP descent is there to add to the stoke of the trip itself!!.

Why enter a SUP Competition?

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:45:30 GMT

Entering a Surf Comp

Recently I entered the SUP Surf category at a competition and it absolutely got my buzz and love for SUP renewed lots of times over. The comp was held in North East Scotland in the town of Banff, a beautiful part of the world with plenty of varied surf breaks. Organised by Banff Surf and SUP Centre, it was an early and chilly start to what turned into a beautiful day with varied conditions throughout the day.

It was a successful day in the results field, a fantastic First place was thoroughly deserved by fellow Breeze Sup Wear Team Rider, Rich Pearson while I managed to get on to the podium with a Third Place finish in the final.

What really got me excited though was the experiences I gained just from entering and it got me thinking that entering SUP events (surf, race or others) is something that everyone should do and can realistically do fairly early in their development.

Learn from others - Being on the water with, and watching the heats of other paddlers, you get to see how they approach the break. You can see where they sit in the line-up and how they approach maneuvers. It is such a great opportunity to sit back, observe and gain the benefits of other people's experience out there in the surf. Sometimes when we are just out surfing we don’t take a holistic, mindful approach to our surfing as we can get pretty blinkered as we only see what's in front of us. Sit, watch, observe and take this knowledge back onto your own board.

Meet other Surfers - There is such a broad spectrum of SUP surfers out there of all ages and skill levels. This competition brought them together in an amazing, inclusive fashion. Competitors were able to judge in some heats and truly feel part of the process and the scene. It meant plenty of social interaction both on and off the water, hints and tips passed on and contact details swapped. The tiny Scottish SUP scene got to grow healthily right in front of our eyes. SUP being so relatively new, everyone is sharing the stoke and it's an exciting time to be involved.

It was a really empowering day from which I will take away not only a Bronze medal (a really cool Beach Stone, tippexed on with Banff Open ‘17 , 3rd - simple but effective!) but also plenty of knowledge, contacts, great memories and the desire to organise similar events in order for others to gain this too. No matter your skill level, hit up your next event, watch, compete, get involved!.

J Bay - Surf and Sharks in South Africa's Surf Capital

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:39:44 GMT

Paddle Surfing in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

J‌ ‌Bay‌ ‌-‌ ‌Surf‌ ‌and‌ ‌Sharks‌ ‌in‌ ‌South‌ ‌Africa’s‌ ‌Surf‌ ‌Capital.‌ ‌

‌

Jeffreys‌ ‌Bay‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌smallish‌ ‌town‌ ‌about‌ ‌an‌ ‌hours‌ ‌drive‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌City‌ ‌of‌ ‌Port‌ ‌Elizabeth‌ ‌and‌ ‌8‌ ‌scenic‌ ‌

hours‌ ‌away‌ ‌from‌ ‌Cape‌ ‌Town.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌also‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌World’s‌ ‌Surfing‌ ‌Meccas.‌ ‌Since‌ ‌the‌ ‌1960’s,‌ ‌

Surfers‌ ‌around‌ ‌the‌ ‌globe‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌admiring‌ ‌pictures‌ ‌and‌ ‌videos‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌heroes‌ ‌tucking‌ ‌into‌ ‌

majestic‌ ‌barrels‌ ‌and‌ ‌hitting‌ ‌the‌ ‌lip.‌ ‌This‌ ‌surfer‌ ‌is‌ ‌no‌ ‌different‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌trip‌ ‌to‌ ‌Stand‌ ‌Up‌ ‌Paddle‌ ‌Surf‌ ‌

J‌ ‌Bay‌ ‌was‌ ‌a‌ ‌lifelong‌ ‌ambition.‌ ‌

‌

J‌ ‌Bay‌ ‌lives‌ ‌and‌ ‌breathes‌ ‌Surfing‌ ‌like‌ ‌only‌ ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌places‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Planet‌ ‌do.‌ ‌There‌ ‌are‌ ‌Surf‌ ‌Shops‌ ‌

galore,‌ ‌with‌ ‌all‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌big‌ ‌brands‌ ‌having‌ ‌factory‌ ‌shops,‌ ‌some‌ ‌of‌ ‌which‌ ‌are‌ ‌the‌ ‌size‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌fairly‌ ‌

large‌ ‌supermarket!.‌ ‌Head‌ ‌to‌ ‌some‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌bars‌ ‌or‌ ‌restaurants‌ ‌and,‌ ‌where‌ ‌in‌ ‌most‌ ‌places‌ ‌you‌ ‌

would‌ ‌find‌ ‌the‌ ‌locals‌ ‌watching‌ ‌the‌ ‌Football‌ ‌or‌ ‌Rugby‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Screen,‌ ‌here‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌likely‌ ‌to‌ ‌

be‌ ‌screening‌ ‌a‌ ‌webcast‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌World‌ ‌Surf‌ ‌Tour‌ ‌event.‌ ‌Surfing‌ ‌truly‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌heart‌ ‌and‌ ‌soul‌ ‌of‌ ‌

this‌ ‌town.‌ ‌

‌

The‌ ‌reason‌ ‌for‌ ‌this‌ ‌devotion‌ ‌to‌ ‌Surfing‌ ‌is‌ ‌due‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌large‌ ‌rock‌ ‌promontory‌ ‌which‌ ‌the‌ ‌town‌ ‌sits‌ ‌

on.‌ ‌The‌ ‌waves‌ ‌hit‌ ‌this‌ ‌rock‌ ‌ledge‌ ‌and‌ ‌break‌ ‌and‌ ‌feather‌ ‌out‌ ‌from‌ ‌it‌ ‌to‌ ‌produce‌ ‌a‌ ‌truly‌ ‌World‌ ‌

Class‌ ‌Wave.‌ ‌Supertubes‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌most‌ ‌famous‌ ‌one‌ ‌and‌ ‌is‌ ‌South‌ ‌African‌ ‌stop‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌World‌ ‌Tour.‌ ‌It‌ ‌

is‌ ‌a‌ ‌high‌ ‌performance‌ ‌right‌ ‌hand‌ ‌reeft‌ ‌break‌ ‌giving‌ ‌the‌ ‌surfer‌ ‌a‌ ‌dredging‌ ‌barrel‌ ‌to‌ ‌test‌ ‌your‌ ‌skills‌ ‌

on‌ ‌followed‌ ‌by‌ ‌an‌ ‌incredible‌ ‌shoulder‌ ‌to‌ ‌cut‌ ‌back‌ ‌and‌ ‌carve‌ ‌on.‌ ‌The‌ ‌speed‌ ‌of‌ ‌this‌ ‌wave‌ ‌is‌ ‌

incredible‌ ‌and‌ ‌once‌ ‌you‌ ‌get‌ ‌this‌ ‌dialled‌ ‌in,‌ ‌it‌ ‌gives‌ ‌you‌ ‌the‌ ‌opportunity‌ ‌to‌ ‌try‌ ‌lots‌ ‌of‌ ‌manoeuvres.‌ ‌

Expect‌ ‌to‌ ‌see‌ ‌World‌ ‌class‌ ‌Surfers‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌line‌ ‌up‌ ‌with‌ ‌you‌ ‌blowing‌ ‌minds‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌surfing.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

As‌ ‌Supertubes‌ ‌runs‌ ‌along‌ ‌the‌ ‌rock‌ ‌it‌ ‌mellows‌ ‌and‌ ‌becomes‌ ‌Tubes,‌ ‌this‌ ‌in‌ ‌turn‌ ‌becomes‌ ‌The‌ ‌

Point‌ ‌and‌ ‌finally,‌ ‌Albatross.‌ ‌Becoming‌ ‌mellower‌ ‌in‌ ‌their‌ ‌steepness‌ ‌(but‌ ‌all‌ ‌still‌ ‌powerful),‌ ‌these‌ ‌

are‌ ‌the‌ ‌breaks‌ ‌more‌ ‌suitable‌ ‌to‌ ‌high‌ ‌performance‌ ‌SUP‌ ‌Surfing.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌truly‌ ‌an‌ ‌unbelievable‌ ‌

honour‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌able‌ ‌to‌ ‌surf‌ ‌these‌ ‌waves.‌ ‌

‌

There‌ ‌are‌ ‌plenty‌ ‌of‌ ‌other‌ ‌breaks‌ ‌in‌ ‌Jeffreys‌ ‌Bay,‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌gnarly‌ ‌reef‌ ‌of‌ ‌Boneyards‌ ‌(where‌ ‌Kelly‌ ‌

Slater‌ ‌broke‌ ‌his‌ ‌ankle‌ ‌in‌ ‌2017!)‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌mellow‌ ‌Main‌ ‌Beach,‌ ‌which‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌chilled‌ ‌sandy‌ ‌beach‌ ‌

break.‌ ‌

‌

Either‌ ‌end‌ ‌of‌ ‌town‌ ‌is‌ ‌bookended‌ ‌with‌ ‌Lagoons‌ ‌as‌ ‌well,‌ ‌so‌ ‌a‌ ‌mellow‌ ‌flat‌ ‌water‌ ‌SUP‌ ‌explore‌ ‌is‌ ‌

always‌ ‌an‌ ‌option‌ ‌as‌ ‌its‌ ‌the‌ ‌downwind‌ ‌and‌ ‌coastal‌ ‌potential.‌ ‌However‌ ‌do‌ ‌be‌ ‌aware‌ ‌that‌ ‌this‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌

Great‌ ‌White‌ ‌Shark‌ ‌inhabited‌ ‌area‌ ‌(as‌ ‌witnessed‌ ‌by‌ ‌Mick‌ ‌Fanning‌ ‌infamously‌ ‌mid‌ ‌surf‌ ‌

competition)‌ ‌so‌ ‌take‌ ‌local‌ ‌advice‌ ‌seriously‌ ‌and‌ ‌check‌ ‌out‌ ‌the‌ ‌Shark‌ ‌Flag‌ ‌situation.‌ ‌

‌

A‌ ‌trip‌ ‌to‌ ‌surf‌ ‌the‌ ‌waves‌ ‌of‌ ‌J‌ ‌Bay‌ ‌is‌ ‌surely‌ ‌one‌ ‌on‌ ‌most‌ ‌Surfers‌ ‌to‌ ‌do‌ ‌lists,‌ ‌add‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌whole‌ ‌towns‌ ‌

all‌ ‌encompassing‌ ‌surfy‌ ‌vibe‌ ‌and‌ ‌truly‌ ‌the‌ ‌reality‌ ‌beats‌ ‌even‌ ‌the‌ ‌dream.‌

SUP in Europe's Most Southerly Point

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:29:46 GMT

Tarifa - SUP in Europe’s most Southerly Point.

I have been lucky enough to call Tarifa in Spain as home for over 10 years. This little town is situated at the Southernmost point in Europe and the exact place where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. A walled Moorish town with picturesque whitewashed alleyways full of cafe’s, bars and shops next to a 12 mile long beach it's only a 30 minute ferry ride from another Tangiers in Morocco. So all in all not a bad set up at all!.

But what is it like for Paddleboarding?, well, first things first, Tarifa is Windy, very Windy!. It is an incredibly popular destination year round for Kitesurfers and Windsurfers. But, it’s not always blowing and when it drops, Tarifa is paradise for Stand Up Paddleboarding. With 12 miles of beach alongside its main beach on the Atlantic there is plenty to explore and enjoy the stunning mountainous backdrop. There are some incredible surf breaks to be found on the beach too, particularly good is Balneario, near the town itself, Arte Vida (halfway up) and the Reef break at its most northerly point, Punta Paloma.

Halfway up the beach, a gently flowing river, the Rio Jara flows into the sea. It’s so slow that you can happily paddle all the way up into the Spanish countryside for a few miles before floating back down. It is an ideal flatwater beginners trip to get the basics down before hitting the sea and the surf.

At the Northern end of the beach, Punta Paloma, stands giant sand dunes, which makes for a spectacular and surreal backdrop to your SUP adventure.

Back at the town end of the beach stands the Isla de los Palomas, which is connected to the town via a narrow Isthmus of land. This marks Europe’s most Southerly point and where the Med meets the Atlantic. Paddling from one body of water to the next around the island has to be on every paddler’s bucket list I think!.

Add in further stunning beaches on both the Med and the Atlantic, lots of places to rent boards (including our favourite, Tantrum Kitesurf), surf shops, friendly people and incredible food and you have (when the wind dies) one of Europe’s best Stand Up Paddleboarding destinations.

Bali - SUP Guide - Part 2 - Sanur and the East Coast

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:11:18 GMT

Sanur - Surf and Quakes in Bali's East Coast SUP Playground

Bali is World famous for its waves...Kuta, Bingin, Padang Padang, Uluwatu. Names every hard-core surfer has salivated over in magazines and films. These spots are all crowded around the Island's South West Coast.

It's East Coast is much less known as as a surf destination yet offers many incredible and very importantly, quieter spots. Sanur is a large resort which offers incredible opportunities for Paddleboarders of all levels, making it an ideal destination.

Looking across to the Island's of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, Sanur is protected by an offshore reef. This means for us SUPers miles and miles of flat calm water to explore. Pick a direction and off you go, enjoying the azure blue sea, admiring the Starfish under yours boards. Bring a snorkel mask with you and dive in at will, the water is about 28 degrees Celsius all year round, so inviting for a swim. Head right to Bemoa Island and it's Mangrove swamp or left and follow the shoreline along past small fishing villages and white sands. When you are tired just stop at one of the numerous beach bars to grab some liquid refreshment. Flat water is the key to progression in Stand Up Paddleboarding and we were able to teach non SUP friends in ideal conditions…..there is no fear of falling in when the water is as warm and inviting as here!.

Those reefs that offer us flat water perfection and huge touring potential also give us the surf that brought us to Sanur in the first place. It's a 20 to 30 minute Paddle out to the reefs (or 100,000 rupiah, a fiver or so, for a water taxi) where there are several spots to hit. We mainly surfed at Hyatt Reef (opposite the Hyatt hotel, surprisingly), where there is a right handed and an a-frame both finishing out in the reefs flat water channel. This means that you can then paddle back out bone dry and chilled back to the line up. Both the waves are fairly fast and on the high performance side of things. A fantastic spot to push your levels in relative safety. The A-frame jacks up quickly and spits out into the channel. The feeling is like being shot out the barrel of a gun, incredible.

Sanur is a pretty chilled out place to stay and lounge away your days too. A huge range of accommodation and food choices, plenty of live music from local cover bands on a night too. Be warned though, here as almost everywhere in Bali, you will have a huge Bob Marley overdose, and be pretty fed up of his tunes by the time you leave!.

The most memorable, and by far scariest part of our trip happened at about 2am on our last night. Fast asleep in bed I was awoken loudly by the bed and wardrobes violently shaking. An earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale had hit just south of Bali. It's force was, frankly, terrifying, followed as it was by a huge all night thunder and lightning storm. No sleep was had after that and it was a stark reminder of the power of Mother Nature in this part of the planet. Thankfully the earthquake passed without damage to property or life.

Bali - A Stand Up Paddleboarding Guide

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:01:13 GMT

Bali SUP Guide Part One - Island of the Gods

Bali - Island of the Gods - Part One

Bali Belly - 2 words that on occasion, unfortunately, go together. It's unpleasant, there's a lot of sickness and diarrhoea, and it's a right of passage when travelling in Indonesia. While recovering from my travails it seems like the ideal opportunity to write my first piece on SUP Surfing in Bali.

Bali is a sub tropical paradise ( minus the belly issues!) Island in Indonesia. It is extremely culturally rich place with Hindu as the prevailing religion, so temples abound on every corner. Each house will have its own temple, along with with larger ones, it's no word of a lie to say that whichever direction you look in you will see a piece of spectacular religious architecture. Outside almost every building you will also see small offerings to the Hindu Gods which you will see put out every day.

The food is incredible and the people some of the friendliest you will ever have the chance to meet. It's easy to get to and every budget imaginable can be catered for, from Uber Luxury to traditional backpacking. Being a tight Yorkshireman, I will leave you to guess where on that scale I am choosing to stay.

But what of the surfing?. The first destination was Canggu, about 30 minutes drive along the tiny moped infested roads from the chaos and madness that is Kuta. It's a pretty chilled place, yet with plenty of bars, cafes and surf shops. Plenty of beach bars to have a beer and watch the spectacular sunset too. The main breaks are Old Mans (Batu Balong), Echo Beach, Canggu and Perenenan. We surfed there when the waves were in the 6 to 10 ft range.

By far the most SUP friendly wave is Old Mans, and the most popular break here by far. It is beginner heaven with an outer reef that then reforms several times before hitting the beach. For the more experienced surfer this means a ride of a few minutes with the odd paddle stroke here and there to link sections. For the beginner it means that you can find your level of wave required on the reforms , then move out to the next one to push yourself on further. I liken it to a Dry Ski Slope where you can get off the lift at various heights depending on your skill level.

Canggu is a pretty similar set up to Old Mans while Echo Beach is back into the high performance category with barrelling, wedgey waves. Even if it's no where near your level, sitting with a beer at beach bar and marvelling at the skills of the surfers here is always worth it.

The final break is Perenenan, the nearest to our accommodation and separated from the others via a small tidal river. Situated next to a magnificent giant Golden Hindu statue, it's a slabby reef of power. It jacks up quickly and explodes giving an intense ride. Some of the biggest waves of my life were here, along with plenty of the biggest beatdowns as well. The ratio of waves to teardown definitely in beatdowns favour!

Top 10 SUP Locations in Scotland

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:51:54 GMT

Where to Paddleboard in Scotland

Top 10 Flat Water SUP Locations in Scotland.

Scotland has got to be one of the most beautiful countries in the World and I am lucky enough to call it home. It has it all, snowcapped mountains, deep lochs, white sandy beaches and pounding surf. It is also home to changeable weather and wind too, but this just adds to the drama and magic of the place rather than takes away from it in my opinion. I am lucky enough in my day job teaching SUP for Paddle Surf Scotland, so below, is a non exhaustive list of some of the best places to SUP in Bonny Scotland.

Arisaig, Lochaber – The white sands and clear blue waters on a good day you can almost believe that you are in a tropical paradise (a fall into the water will so change this though!). There are coves aplenty to explore as you look out to the many distant islands. The water can be that clear that it can look only a few feet deep even if its 30ft down.

River Quaich, Perthshire – This small river flows into the lovely Loch Freuchie and flows with so little speed that you can paddle up it. A great trip cruising up it and then you can turn and float back down it enjoying the highland scenery. A paddle under a humpback bridge brings onto the open water of the Loch and more to explore.

St Andrews, Fife – The World famous university and golf town sits perched above a cliff top between two beaches, East and West Sands. A paddle between the two beaches offers plenty to see including the little working harbour, the ruined Castle, and some lovely high tide pools underneath the cliffs.

Castle Stalker, Argyll and Bute – Famous for its starring role in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a high tide paddle to Castle Stalker is a must. It sits on an island just off the shore and is surrounded by bobbing little boats, all under truly spectacular Highland mountains.

Nairn Beach , Highlands - There is a fair chance of seeing Dolphins out on the water as they move up and down the Moray firth. A huge beach that stretches as far as the eye can see and across the water you can see for miles across the Black Isle and beyond.

Loch Ness , Highlands – No trip to Scotland is complete without a bit of Nessie spotting. Even if you don't get lucky there is spectacular scenery to enjoy. Getting on near Fort Augustus normally means less winds than most of the loch too.

Loch Tay, Perthshire – This loch encompasses all that is majestic about Scotland, scenery, history, mountains along with great places to eat and drink. The eastern, Kenmore end offers a beach and two islands to land on. The western, Killin side lets you start in a canal before floating you down towards the grandeur of the loch itself.

Yellowcraigs, East Lothian – From the beach at Yellowcraigs on a calm day its a lovely paddle to the Island of Fidra which is a fantastic place to see Scotlands sea birds close up, if you are lucky including Puffins. Great views of Bass Rock and surrounds too to check out.

Rabbit Islands, Sutherland – The Rabbit Islands sit just off Scotlands north coast near the small village of Talmine. Its a spectacular journey to these sandy low lying islands and there is a fair chance to spot Seals and Dolphins too.

Loch Lomond, Argyll and Bute – Famous for the song, explore its 'bonny bonny banks' , have a picnic on its shores or paddle out to one of the numerous islands. Its a very popular, huge loch with something for everyone.

Welcome to the Paddle Surf Scotland Blog

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 13:21:28 GMT

New Beginnings

Hi World! A brand spanking new website calls for a brand spanking new Blog, so, here goes!.

Let me introduce myself first, my names Matt, and Paddle Surf Scotland is my baby. It all started off 7 years ago, when Paddleboarding was in much more of an infant stage in the UK. Starting off with 4 boards, some wetsuits and a dream, SUP back then was a tough sell to the masses.....no one knew what I was talking about, couldn't wrap their heads around blow up boards....it'll never catch on was the general concensus. Fast forward to 2020 and the SUP World is a different place. It really is everywhere and I have been so fortunate to have been along for the ride. I have been able to introduce thousands of people to the sport and love it when I can see my former proteges out on the water strutting their stuff. From ages 7 to 70 plus, I have seen all types of folks out on the water.

This sport has taken me all over the World to surf and Explore. I have competed, written articles, been featured on television and in print and experienced so, so much through this simple thing.

Hopefully in this Blog, I can recount plenty of this to you. From guides to Scottish paddle locations, travel stories to technique guides. I hope to see you along this digital journey as well as meet up on the water!.