Paddlesports (Kayaking, Canoe, Stand-Up Paddle boards)

MM-Seat · 23 May 2019 at 13:39

Had a quick look and couldn't find one thread devoted to paddlesports. Happy to be told otherwise.

Let's use this thread to discuss any element of paddlesports. Kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boards, etc.

I've dabbled in Kayaking throughout my youth in Scouts and in December 18 joined my local club. Haven't done any moving water yet but, have got to 2*/Paddle Explore standard on flat water.

Also just completed my FSRT (Foundation Safety and Rescue training) which was immense fun and very wet.

Anyone planning any trips?

Skidder · 23 May 2019 at 20:56

I kayak and sup but mostly flat water on Thames. Have a little Thames tour coming up from Henley back to home just down from Hampton court. Got a new 14 foot rigid board yesterday nice jump in terms of glide over my inflatable.

MM-Seat · 23 May 2019 at 21:53

Skidder said:
I kayak and sup but mostly flat water on Thames. Have a little Thames tour coming up from Henley back to home just down from Hampton court. Got a new 14 foot rigid board yesterday nice jump in terms of glide over my inflatable.

14 ft sounds massive for a SUP. We have tiny ones at the club but, that seems to make them go in circles when I paddle them!

Skidder · 23 May 2019 at 22:10

my other board is 10ft 4. 14 makes a massive difference, it's a faster shape too. Looking forward to covering a bit more ground with it.

Trip I'm planning will have couple of touring kayaks, one tandem, one canoe and me on a SUP. Think I'll be ruined compared to the others.

MM-Seat · 24 May 2019 at 13:54

I suspect I will get quite familiar with a SUP. I like to get wet!!

Martynt74 · 24 May 2019 at 14:43

I'd love to get into something like this, but when looking at options the nearest place was around an hour away which is a bit far really for a hobby.

Am off to Corfu next month and might look to rent something.

Skidder · 24 May 2019 at 15:24

You can get a really decent inflatable sup set up now for about £500 (you can spend less but can be ropey) then you just need some water.

MM-Seat · 24 May 2019 at 18:49

Marvt74 said:
I'd love to get into something like this, but when looking at options the nearest place was around an hour away which is a bit far really for a hobby.

Am off to Corfu next month and might look to rent something.

I have some friends from Euxton Canoe Club who meet in Chorley.

Martynt74 · 24 May 2019 at 19:44

Ooh interesting. Might take a look at that. Thanks.

MM-Seat · 24 May 2019 at 21:15

Marvt74 said:
Ooh interesting. Might take a look at that. Thanks.

Let me know if you do and I can get some better details for you.

roman59 · 28 May 2019 at 16:40

14 foot Naish Glide inflatable is my latest toy, been using a 10 foot 6 Naish hard board for the last 9 years, that extra length makes all the difference.

So much more quicker & goes is a straight line much easier too.

Looking to get a Naish wingsurfer as well, which looks good fun for windy days.

Tend to paddle on the North Sea most of the time in Suffolk.

Cheers all

MM-Seat · 29 May 2019 at 18:54

Interesting, I knew SUP's were popular. I didn't think they was this popular.

I suppose our club has 5 boards (180 boats/craft in total) but, we paddle in Liverpool docks and there is always other paddleboarders in there.

roman59 · 29 May 2019 at 21:14

Fastest growing watersport worldwide, inflatable sups make up 80% of the market share as well.

Cheers all

Skidder · 2 Jun 2019 at 07:02

roman59 said:
Looking to get a Naish wingsurfer as well, which looks good fun for windy days.

Tend to paddle on the North Sea most of the time in Suffolk.

Cheers all

I have an arrows irig inflatable sail which I use with my fanatic fly air. Great fun convertible way of using a SUP to windsurf. inflatable boom and mast make it very light and easy for people to learn, lacks the power to plane but good enough up to about 13 knots.

Amp34 · 2 Jun 2019 at 22:37

roman59 said:
Fastest growing watersport worldwide, inflatable sups make up 80% of the market share as well.

Cheers all

Looks good on the Gram that’s why, especially if you’re a slim 20 something...

I just find it’s a lot more effort to go a lot less distance than a kayak. Don’t quite see the point tbh, but my GF loves it...

roman59 · 3 Jun 2019 at 08:54

Amp34 said:
Looks good on the Gram that’s why, especially if you’re a slim 20 something...

I just find it’s a lot more effort to go a lot less distance than a kayak. Don’t quite see the point tbh, but my GF loves it...

I was out on the 14 foot sup Saturday morning, travelling 11 feet per single stroke according to my Garmin Fenix, was actually quite
surprised considering is was not paddling that hard.

Cheers all

jsmoke · 3 Jun 2019 at 09:13

Did a fair bit of kayaking in younger years up to the occasional grade 4. Lot of grade 3 stuff. Had a go on a sprint kayak in the sea a few months ago. Quite enjoyed being out in sea especially if a nice day.

roman59 · 3 Jun 2019 at 09:49

Perfect day last Saturday at the east coast on the north sea, only 15 minutes drive from where I live which is a bonus too.

Cheers all

Skidder · 3 Jun 2019 at 14:27

Amp34 said:
Looks good on the Gram that’s why, especially if you’re a slim 20 something...

I just find it’s a lot more effort to go a lot less distance than a kayak. Don’t quite see the point tbh, but my GF loves it...

Sup prob is more effort but it has its rewards. I have a couple of 12 foot touring kayaks and both 10 foot and 14 foot SUPS. I've kayaked a lot more but the last few years have been prob 80% SUP. You get a very different view, more of a work out (arguably). I love both but get a lot more out of SUP.

Amp34 · 3 Jun 2019 at 20:24

It’s a different experience for sure. We have a couple of 12 ft “transition” kayaks (flat, class 2/3 waters), a cheap 10 footer and a 17ft Canoe. The latter is the most “practical”, but requires the most effort (close to SUP like). I prefer the 12s as they’re a good all round kayak for what we do (lakes and fast rivers with some mild white water). Only problem with them is storage space is at a premium.

I’d definitely move up to 14s if I lived by the coast though. Faster and more storage space for camping gear.

We may pick up a SUP at some point, but it’s impractical for us. The rivers are too fast and the local reservoir doesn’t allow it.