{"id":7177,"date":"2018-05-18T10:38:49","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T10:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitproblog.mysites.io\/paddleboarding\/"},"modified":"2018-05-18T10:38:49","modified_gmt":"2018-05-18T10:38:49","slug":"paddleboarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/paddleboarding\/","title":{"rendered":"Paddleboarding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Top image credit: Two For Joy Photography\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Paddleboarding is now a pretty big deal and we are frequently propelling ourselves down the UK\u2019s rivers. We caught up with a couple of paddleboarding instructors to find out about the training side of things and have provided some events for your summer fix.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) originated from Hawaii, adapted from surfing, but with a paddle. SUP is said to be the fastest growing water sport, as it offers something for everyone \u2013 leisure, relaxation, personal challenge and adventure.<\/p>\n

For Paul Hyman, owner of Active 360<\/a>, and his business partner Sambit Mohapatra, they wanted to develop a sport from every angle (360 degrees), building and widening participation, improving coaching, running events, and so on. \u201cWe started off with two bases at Kew Br<\/em>idge and Brentford Lock in London, until opportunities for more at Paddington and Putney came along,\u201d<\/em> begins Hyman. \u201cOver the 40 years I\u2019ve been involved in water sports, I became more and more aware of how marine environments around the world are being degraded by careless consumption. I wanted to use standup paddleboarding (SUP) to raise awareness and encourage people to take action to change things for the better.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Paul<\/p>\n

What inspires Hyman to continue to develop his company is introducing people to The Thames and other waterways, and to help protect London\u2019s water environments. His favourite places to paddle outside of the UK are Myanmar, India, Thailand, Slovenia, Sardinia and Greenland. Clearly, this is a sport for everyone \u2013 two of Hyman\u2019s paddlers are amputees and a few have been in recovery from broken backs and other major injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt incredibly lost when I first arrived in London. Active 360 helped me feel part of something, not just for a sport, but for a cause that is very important to me,\u201d<\/em> concludes Hyman.<\/p>\n

Hyman and his team run litter-picking paddleboarding sessions in a few locations in London, \u2018Pick & Paddle\u2019. Participants use canoes or paddleboards and a short lesson is on offer if required for getting involved with the initiative. Together with the Plastic Ocean Festival<\/a>, corporate organisations can now carry out their own clean-up events. For more information, visit the Canal & River Plastic Pollution Awareness Events brochure, active360.co.uk\/files\/Active360%20private%20clean-ups.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Image caption: Paul Hyman\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

SUP Explorer<\/h3>\n

Ben Kelly is an SUP enthusiast and even has a dedicated blog to document his travels. FitPro asked him what he enjoys most about paddleboarding. \u201cStandup paddleboarding is all about sensations,\u201d<\/em> said Kelly. \u201cThe feeling of cool water washing your bare toes as you paddle from the shore, or of flying as you ride high over reefs in clear seas, or of exhilaration as you surf your board back to the beach \u2013 the first time I saw paddleboarding I knew I had to try it. I joined a taster session in Poole and have been exploring and exercising on my own ever since. My favourite places to paddle are Sandbanks and Studland near Poole Harbour, and the River Cam in Cambridge. The greatest thing about SUP is that you can have fun on a puddle of water, doing spins, tricks and even SUP yoga! But when I\u2019m not on my board, I ride a bike to maintain fitness. Cycling and SUP complement each other brilliantly \u2013 as well as strengthening the legs, both activities are great for the core and SUP also builds the upper body.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

To read about Ben\u2019s travels, visit: https:\/\/benswaterytravels.wordpress.com\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Connect with nature<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Sian<\/p>\n

Image credit: James Chapman<\/em><\/p>\n

After fifteen years of working long hours in London, Sian Sykes wanted a better balance in life \u2013 to reconnect with nature and to be closer to the sea and mountains.\u00a0 \u201cI changed the focus of my life and moved back home to North Wales. I now run a paddleboarding business, Psyched paddleboarding<\/a>,\u201d<\/em> begins Sykes. She continues, \u201cI absolutely loved the paddleboarding experience; floating on water, a bird\u2019s eye view, the ability to get away from it all, to find inner peace and connect with nature.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Sykes tells us that there is such a variety of things you can do with the paddleboard \u2013 touring, racing, yoga, fitness, white water and surfing. You can paddle along canals, rivers, and the sea. \u00a0The SUP instructor enjoys exploring the coast of Wales; especially Anglesey and Pembrokeshire. \u201cIt has a fantastic stretch of stunning coastline and an abundance of marine and birdlife. There are complex waters, so you need to know what you\u2019re doing\u201d<\/em>, says Sykes.<\/p>\n

With regards to qualifications, Sykes is WSA (Water Skills Academy), ASI (Academy Surfers Institute) and British Canoeing (SUP module) qualified instructor.\u00a0 She has had to provide a log book of her experience and attend training and continued development. \u00a0Sykes is also a regional rep for for Surfers Against Sewage – \u00a0her business is single use plastic free. Skyes, like Hyman, encourages her clients to do a mini beach clean and raise awareness about plastic pollution. SUP enthusiasts can also specialise in; SUP yoga, SUP Fitness, SUP Downwind and SUP Expedition. \u00a0If you join the Psyched paddle boarding team, you can experience night SUP and adventure SUP. \u00a0For more information, visit:\u00a0https:\/\/www.psychedpaddleboarding.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Benefits of SUP according to Instructor, Sian Sykes<\/h3>\n

\"Sian<\/p>\n

Image credit:: Two For Joy Photography LTD\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n