Sorry. I’m in NW England. Hope they’re are more lurking that you can get out with.
What sort of boat do you have?
Paddlesports (Kayaking, Canoe, Stand-Up Paddle boards)
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Sorry. I’m in NW England. Hope they’re are more lurking that you can get out with.
What sort of boat do you have?
I've actually still got my oru Bay St folding kayak from when I lived in a flat.
Found it hard to meet people being new to the area
Are there no clubs in the local area? Love my club as I have access to 180+ boats across sea, whitewater, open boats, etc
things have escalated and I have preordered through Sup Inflatables. Should be with me by end of Jan.
Soldato
Should be a decent choice. Lot of people on the Facebook groups like them. I’m a fan of mine albeit the Elite model.
Tried to get out the other day but the canal was frozen in a lot of places so was slow going as we were constantly breaking ice. Ended up giving up and turning back and calling it a day. A shame as was aiming for a decent 12ish mile paddle.
Tried to get out the other day but the canal was frozen in a lot of places so was slow going as we were constantly breaking ice. Ended up giving up and turning back and calling it a day. A shame as was aiming for a decent 12ish mile paddle.
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Well done at least on getting out on the canal they can be quite problematic at this time of year. Got out Tuesday ok as floodwater had subsided but today had muddy walk (of shame) home on the final section as lock house drained the canal to clear out their weir gates!....should really have headed back earlier on way down stream realizing levels dropping but hoping enough to get back as other locks d/s were fine. Did attempt getting back up was successful clearing the shallow lock but could not keep up with the fast current /narrow width (imagine emptying a bath and seeing the fast running water at
the end) All good experience....ever changing life of the canal
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Congrats I think a Gladiator will one day be my next board. Good package price and light weight. Why not able to paddle when you get it?
Access to water is limited where I am and don’t feel comfortable travelling outside of my area.
I’m quite happy to wait until it’s a bit warmer.
Soldato
Ah got you. I think that's where i'm quite lucky with canal access being only a few minutes drive away. Just waiting for it to warm a little so that the canal will have thawed.
At least you can do the obligatory pic of the board inflated indoors
At least you can do the obligatory pic of the board inflated indoors
Ah got you. I think that's where i'm quite lucky with canal access being only a few minutes drive away. Just waiting for it to warm a little so that the canal will have thawed.
At least you can do the obligatory pic of the board inflated indoors
Yes, I’m looking forward to that!
Happy to go for a paddle once we are allowed. I fancy the Lakes at some point!
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Am looking again at the 14 foot gladiator sport and appears new design 2021 models don't now come with the rear bungie straps (they want to keep rear clear for step back turns) They do say can retro fit tho
upload images
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Been a bit busy so did not get on the water this week...that said conditions have not exactly been favourable 
tho late last week no rainfall & drop in river levels fancied a trip up the river..... with the higher levels compared to the summer managed to get much further upstream than I normally can due to shallow sections. Always take a hot flask of coffee with me on these trips. January/ Winter SUP all new too me but despite the temps and conditions am enjoying this time of year weed is no issue and there is no river traffic. The river widths really open up with the vegetation die off and more light floods in on the tree lined sections......its a different world in comparison to the summer.
upload images
tho late last week no rainfall & drop in river levels fancied a trip up the river..... with the higher levels compared to the summer managed to get much further upstream than I normally can due to shallow sections. Always take a hot flask of coffee with me on these trips. January/ Winter SUP all new too me but despite the temps and conditions am enjoying this time of year weed is no issue and there is no river traffic. The river widths really open up with the vegetation die off and more light floods in on the tree lined sections......its a different world in comparison to the summer.upload images
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Soldato
Seems weird. I don’t think mine get in the way. Although at 27” wide my ability to step back isn’t very good. Especially with the pin tail.
Even kneeling near the back of the board feels unsteady!
Really good board though. I highly recommend if.
Even kneeling near the back of the board feels unsteady!
Really good board though. I highly recommend if.
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How do you find portability of the 14ft board?. I have a (ready inflated) 5 min walk to the canal & use a shoulder sling but wonder if the extra length will be somewhat unwieldy....that said its about the same weight as my 10-6 board
Soldato
I won't lie, it's can be a bit unwieldy. I keep it in the shed which has a hedge next to it and i'm forever knocking it against stuff. I'm not someone who's overly precious about things though which probably helps. I tend to keep it inflated at home and then throw it on the roof of the car when going to the canal and it's easy enough to manouvre onto the roof.
I've carried it to the sea though and on the NW coast you have a heck of a walk to the actual water and that's fine because of how light it is, it's mainly just when trying to navigate around corners etc that can be an issue. You'd get used to it though i imagine.
Plus i think to go slightly shorter, you're then at 12'6 and in reality it's probably not much less unwieldy, it's still a big long lump of plastic you're carrying. I guess the concern would be how protected from wind you are as on that walk, but then i find the wind affects my 11'6 board just as much.
Which width are you thinking of?
I've carried it to the sea though and on the NW coast you have a heck of a walk to the actual water and that's fine because of how light it is, it's mainly just when trying to navigate around corners etc that can be an issue. You'd get used to it though i imagine.
Plus i think to go slightly shorter, you're then at 12'6 and in reality it's probably not much less unwieldy, it's still a big long lump of plastic you're carrying. I guess the concern would be how protected from wind you are as on that walk, but then i find the wind affects my 11'6 board just as much.
Which width are you thinking of?
Haven't been around here for a long time. Hope all doing well. I've not been on the river for a good while. River was in slight flood since pre-christmas. Not scary flood but a pain to launch and so on as over my dock which gets covered in slippery mud.
I personally would deal with the extra hassle for additional board length.
I personally would deal with the extra hassle for additional board length.
Soldato
Show off
I was watching James Martin Kitchen on Saturday and he was on a boat on what i assumed was the Thames, going past all these houses with docks right on the river. Made me insanely jealous!
Show off
I was watching James Martin Kitchen on Saturday and he was on a boat on what i assumed was the Thames, going past all these houses with docks right on the river. Made me insanely jealous!
Not showing off when I have to scrape / blast 2 foot of sludge off it.
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wow you must have a big shed.....my garage will just about fit at roughly 14ft.
10'6 x 30 for 3 years so definite fancy the challenge of the 14 ft. Was set on the 27" elite sport but with no rear bungee for 2021 (prefer a factory fit) am considering the 30" elite touring. Am thinking the added stability of 30" will mean can also use year round.....likely would avoid the 27 during the winter as higher risk of falling in. Am only 70kg do you think the 14x30 would suit? the 2021 is only 10kg so thinking with the 14ft length should be a good speed improvement over my existing board noticed appears to have the same pin tail design as the s and r.
