You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Finally got out on them today, few hours spent exploring round the islands and shallow bits on the sailing clubs lake.
Sorry to dissapoint the misseries but no one died, the board didn't explode, the paddle didn't collapse and we didn't need to call the safety boat.
Sorry to dissapoint the misseries but no one died, the board didn’t explode, the paddle didn’t collapse and we didn’t need to call the safety boat.
Laugh now, but just wait till the morning when your arm bursts from Wellington's Ooze.
Didn't die either. Did get a bit harder when the wind picked up at the furthest point from the launching point. Didn't fall in. Much easier on a lake than the sea. No 'buzz' like I'm used to with other sports, but a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on a windless day. Didn't feel like exercise, but heart rate above 100 for the whole outing and got to parts of the reservoir I'd not seen before. Looking forward to finding a new stretch of water to explore. Also found my long lost water bottle from a hairy moment sailing a while back. Result.
As for the board itself, Feels similar to the much more expensive (to buy) ones that we've rented a few times. Kids looking forward to the freedom this will give them on the water in warmer weather.
Where's that? I want to guess Scalling Dam but that's barely better than a guess.
Where’s that? I want to guess Scalling Dam but that’s barely better than a guess.
Hi - Grimwith Reservoir/YDSC, Yorkshire Dales.
We got ours out for an hour the other weekend in a local reservoir where we swim occasionally.
I’ve never done it before. I fell in a lot but am still alive.
What happens next?
Hi – Grimwith Reservoir/YDSC, Yorkshire Dales.
Dammit that was my 2nd guess, I keep meaning to come up for the Blaze open but it never quite lines up conveniently.
🤣
Reservoir
Can somebody please clarify something about reservoirs, and only if you actually know, rather than the standard "OMG you'll definitely die" replies.
I've not taken my kayak on a reservoir even though I'm surrounded by them. Whenever I mention doing this to people I get this thing about the water board suddenly drawing off water, and I'll be instantly sucked under water and held next to a grid until dead.
So what truth is in that? Is it like "a swan will break your arm" every single time you go to close to a Swan? Or is it more nuanced? Like, I know that they do draw off water, that's the whole point of a reservoir. But is it so instant and violent, that I'd definitely be instantly sucked under and die? Would there not be human activity around the reservoir for such an occurrence? As I would then not even take my kayak in in the first place for fear of hassle about trespassing. How come all the licensed fishermen on their boats don't get sucked under all the time, but only those on the water without permission? Ladybower for example. Do they draw from a certain part that can be avoided etc etc?
Firstly, reservoirs are always private property. Ditto gravel pits*. Lakes can be private property or it might just be the shoreline that is (in which case you just need to find a bit of shoreline that has access). Licenses might also still be required.
Ladybower IIRC was always a no go.
Resevoirs that do have access tend to have restricted areas arround the dam and any infrastructure. This can be to protect you from an overflow, or might just be to protect the dam from erosion from people walking on it.
The pump out tends to be from a structure on the bottom of the reservoir. There won't be any noticeable current on the surface from it.
If you use resevoirs you sometimes spot the point where water is pumped in or recirculated as patch on the surface where the water is rising up. But it's barely noticeable when you pass over it.
*our sailing club leases a gravel pit from Prudential, over the last couple of years "wild" and "open water" swimming allong with paddle boards have become a bit of a PITA. You can join the club and paddleboard. But you can't just turn up and not contribute (and swimming is just banned as it doesn't mix with boats racing). The trespassers then end up getting the club in trouble for not looking after the SSSI, because they land on the islands disturbing the ground nesting birds.
@jambourgie
Look up Sheffield outdoor plungers (SOuPers) on Facebook.
They have done loads of stuff to promote safe access to reservoirs. They had some zoom talks in lockdown including one about tresspass with the guy that wrote that book recently.
As Sheff is miles from the sea but surrounded by resevoirs it’s a much discussed topic.
Thanks for the info guys, interesting stuff. And I'll check out the FB group as I'm Sheffield based.
My photos above were taken on redmires reservoir for instance
Yeah, I've had my eye on Redmires as it's local with easy car access. I sometimes go running up there. If you see a guy in a yellow kayak come and say hello.
Certainly will. If you see a guy walking a deerhound type lurcher called Albert round there that’s me. It’s more my wife that swims.
Time for a gloryhole vid (no s****ing).
I live in Spain and have been keeping an eye out for when these appear here, it's usually a couple of weeks behind. Lo and behold they are available this week, for the princely sum of €399!!
So basically double the UK price so either there's been an almighty pricing cock-up in the UK or they've decided that demand in Spain will be stronger and priced accordingly. Bugger, I was looking forward to trying this.
Thanks to this thread I bought a Sport Pursuit 10’4” SUP for just over £200. I’ve been out on it several times now and I love it! We live on the edge of Oxford and there are lovely quiet parts of the Thames very nearby.
My wife enjoys it just as much as I do so we now want to get a second one, and I’m wondering how much we’d gain from something a bit better than the one we have. There seems to be a big jump from the cheap ones from Sport Pursuit and Decathlon, up to ~£800+ for Red and other brands. Is there anything in between, and/or does it add much to the experience to spend that much more? All I can really find in the middle ground is Decathlon - are they worth the extra over what I already have?
@lorax
There are other brands about but personally haven't really tried many.
You'll probably not tell that much of a difference across the mid range boards if but will when you have a go at the different types e.g. an all round vs touring (think using an MTB on the road)
So it really depends what you intend to be doing long term.
I'd suggest finding somewhere local that does tuition/hire and trying as many different ones as you can.
I think the investment would be better placed to start with.
Piston - the Spanish Lidl basic one is 299e, equal to uk 199 GBP one. The 399e Spanish one is longer and thinner, still a good deal v decathlon.
The carbon paddle at 64e is good too, don't think they did it in uk.
The Lidl Spanish prices are still good as they include a leash and pump, which decathlon don't. Quality seems good, 2 air chambers in case of a puncture.
About a million folk failing to stand up on these at the local loch yesterday. They just seemed to be inherently unstable.
The hire O'Shea's seemed to get folk up and standing pretty quick.
I had a borrowed kangui that is owned by a 60kg woman and it seemed super stable even with my near 90kg heft on to
Thanks @LAP13, good advice! I've booked in for a lesson with my local SUP club and can try out different boards there.
I guess I might want to go somewhere more adventurous on holiday, but the overwhelming majority of use will be on the Thames in Oxfordshire - pretty gentle paddling on a small, quiet river. I suspect the one I have is fine for that, and I may well be better off not spoiling myself with something better 🙂
@trail_rat That's the board I have, and I weigh about the same as you. I'm quite a numpty but I've now done multiple trips on it and somehow still haven't fallen off, so it actually seems quite stable to me - but perhaps I've just not yet experienced challenging enough conditions...
I'm no expert on sups. (Infact I've never done it before)
They just looked to be significantly less stable than all the other boards on the water. Judging by how difficult it looked to get stood up on one.
Maybe all the other people were expert sup'ers
I'm no expert on sups. (Infact I've never done it before)
They just looked to be significantly less stable than all the other boards on the water.
Maybe all the other people were expert sup'ers
There was alot of this coolboards out though was cool to see so many folk on the water
Dunno, saw a guy on a SUP the other day whilst in my kayak. He looked a lot more stable than me! But yeah, my first time in the water and he might've been a veteran. Maybe I'm a lazy git but would still prefer a sit in kayak.
Maybe I’m a lazy git but would still prefer a sit in kayak.
Much as I enjoyed my foray sup'ing I think I still want a 2+1 sit on top kayak . Just seems more useful in more situations for us as a family than a SUP.
@lorax if you can get yourselves over to lake 32 at Cotswold Water park they have the McConks boards to hire out. Nice place for a paddle and decent boards in the mid price range.
Also meant to say, look at ex rental at the end of a season and also second hand - there are loads of groups on FB for gear selling pages
Thanks again all - I'll see what I can find @LAP13, and CWP sounds like a good plan @chowsh.
@jambourgie and @trail_rat - I love canoeing (as discussed in this recent thread) but even with my new lighter weight Apache it is still a bit of a slog to get it round the side of the house and onto the roof of the car, and then to launch at the other end, especially if I'm on my own, whereas with the SUP I can be on the water within 10 minutes of shutting the front door. So for a quick evening trip it's just much more practical.
I was pretty sceptical about SUPing, but I've surprised myself, and it turns out it's actually quite a different activity from canoeing. Paddling along in my canoe is gentle and relaxing, whereas paddling a wobbly board while standing up seriously focuses the mind. But I think that's the point, at least for me - it's a great distraction from the stuff that normally fills my head for work! I'm really enjoying having the option of both 🙂
I was out with my boys on the Loch on Saturday. The new Lidl board got it's maiden voyage alongside our Aqua Marina Fusion. The Lidl Board is much higher volume overall, a good 2-3 inches wider and is much more stable.
Paddling along in my canoe is gentle and relaxing, whereas paddling a wobbly board while standing up seriously focuses the mind
I can pretty much switch off my mind on my SUP. It's one of the reasons I do it, it's the most relaxed time of the day.
@Mister-P I think I misrepresented things - I find the SUP very calming, in a mindful sort of way. It’s actually my hindbrain that’s focused (on
staying upright), which leaves my mind free to watch the herons and listen to the wind in the trees…
Been to two Decathlons today trying to find a floatation vest for MrsRNP but the cheaper ones are all sold out (its probably a fad so dont want to spend the money on the CO2 inflating one)
Been looking at these on Sportpursuit. Anybody else got one from there or have any thoughts.
@stevenmuir I bought one of the sport pursuit ones and have used it this week. We also have an Itiwit from Decathlon to compare it to (4 years old model).
The SportPursuit (coolsurf) compares well to the Itiwit. It’s a little narrower, so not quite as stable but tracks better because of the 3 fins. The pump, leash and big feel a bit lower quality, but as I got it for sub £200 (bought with a 20% off code earlier in the year) vs £375 ish for the Itiwit I’m not complaining - and it all works as it should. Defo worth the money IMHO.
Been to two Decathlons today trying to find a floatation vest for MrsRNP but the cheaper ones are all sold out (its probably a fad so dont want to spend the money on the CO2 inflating one)
@rustynissanprairy and anyone else who is looking at floatation devices without some info, Don't get the CO2 inflating ones unless you are very unlikely to fall in.They give life jacket rather than buoyancy aid support. The former rolls you onto your back and is much harder to swim with. They are designed to make things easier if you are going to be rescued or are injured. Stick with a foam and bodyweight appropriate buoyancy aid if you are planning on or likely to get wet. Also pretty sure you're weekend's over if you use a CO2 based life jacket - you have to get them repacked and recharged professionally. Can't say for sure on this last point - never had one go off. Best bet is to do some reading around "lifejacket vs buoyancy aid". HTH.
The ones on Sportpursuit only look to have one fin.
The one I looked at last night on SP had 2. Really tempted by aqua marina beast, anytime have one?.
Also pretty sure you’re weekend’s over if you use a CO2 based life jacket – you have to get them repacked and recharged professionally.
No the cylinders are easily replaceable and the vest just folds back up.
We have 6 vests/jackets in the boat and I weigh the cylinders every couple of years, to check that they've not leaked, and any that are low get fired to check the vests are ok also.
You're right. It's not clear on the SP website. Can't tell what the difference is between the Stormy and the Sail.
What you going for Steven? I'm doing the usual and spending too long looking, need to just order one and get on wi it!
I bought the Stormy. Nae idea what the difference is other than it looks like it has a couple of attachment points maybe for a seat? We're off to Mull in 3 weeks and should get it this week so we might manage a bit of a trial run before we go.
The cheap decathlon life jacket is ok but I tried it on in the shop and it chaffed my arms. I bought a better one as I always wear it kayaking so a false economy to buy a cheapo.
I love my Lidl sup, first few outings deffo shaky leg syndrome, now q happy pootling about.
Still feel safer in the kayak tho.
I have the Coolsurf one from Sports Pursuit.
Was out today actually.
I think the different models are just aesthetic differences.
The board is good, sturdy with a good valve.
I can't tell the difference between it and more expensive ones my pals have.
Paddle is good. I thought it looked a bit cheap/crap but works fine. No major flex.
Pump is a bit rubbish. You need to grease the shaft. I get the board into shape with a 12v air pump then up to pressure with the supplied pump.
The carry bag is alright too. Bit utilitarian but easy to put everything in and keep your car clean.
Magic, I'll go with the SP one then, spend the saved money on a 12v pump and wetsuits 👍🏻
Sorry @stevenmenmuir I’ve only just come back. Mine is the Sail 10’4” it has the detachable fin but 2 smaller fixed fins either side. The aren’t shown on the SP site.
You can see them in this picture.
Went for the Aqua Marina fusion package, and got everything else off decathlon, life jackets, 12v inflater etc. Should be out and about on it next weekend!.
Gah just bought a coolsurf one and a load of other crap I don't need 😀
lol!
regarding life jackets on SUP's, this can make it difficult for some people and kids especially to get back on the board due to the extra bulk. Try and get a thinner one if possible.
I've been SUP'ing for 10 years and use the inflatable life belts on myself and older kids. Proper wetsuits give the additional buoyancy to aid swimming I've found. Younger kids wear a life vest with anti submarine straps and a handle on the back for grabbing them if needed
Spotted on IG that Aldi will soon have inflatable kayaks on special at some point soon. might be worth an eye out.
Aldi kayaks are available online now. In store from Sunday
Can't see them online?
No i spotted that when i went further. They are in the booklet as being available online from Sunday.
Not sure what is going on there
There is a wee comment about some special buys being delayed, possibly that. How much are they?
£39.99 in the book of dreams
Smashing, worth a punt at that price, be handy when the wee one and her pals comandeer the SUP.
I tried the wife's iSUP and bought a sit on top kayak 🤣
I think I did last about 10 minutes standing up whilst at Gairloch the other week but it's not for me.
Well, that was fun!.
Aqua marina fusion came on Friday, went to decathlon for a few bits n bobs, came out with another SUP 🙈
The itwit is 2" longer and 2" broader, feels a bit more stable but not a huge amount in it. Took them to the local hotspot, fresh water, a good mile paddle round the outer, nice and sheltered.
Buggered about on my knees for 10 minutes, then got up and became fairly confidant quite quickly, surprised myself!. Was burst last night, ran 5 miles in the morning, but paddle board defo did the damage!.
Back out today at the beach, high tide at 2, so we'll get an hour either side. Also eyeing up a wee evening fishing the Ayr harbour wreck this week. 👍🏻
I have a normal kayak and only pootle around on the canal, but when looking for buoyancy aids I eventually settled on this. I was looking for a while and all the Decathlon ones etc just seemed too bulky and extreme for my purposes. I just knew it'd only be a matter of time before I stopped using it. This one is great, hardly know you've got it on and the pocket means I always put it on as it's useful just for that feature - phone etc easily accessible.
I've not tried ours yet but daughter and her friend are currently on it on one of the local reservoirs. Not been much paddling but when they have they seem to have made pretty reasonable progress.
All packed up now. Bag is a bit cheap but everything fits in easy enough and the only real issue with it is a lack of padding in the straps. In general I don't that'll be too much of an issue. I thought the pump was fine, didn't take too much effort to get it up to 10psi (according to the pumps gauge) which seemed pretty solid to me.
12v one took about 10 mins to 15psi, hand pump a tad quicker, but harder going obvs!
@nobeer - which Decathlon one did you go for? I'm in the same position right now & it's a toss up between the 11ft Itiwit plus paddle (£390 - have a pump already) / AM Fusion (£420) / AM Hyper 11'6" dual chamber with a crabon paddle (£550)
Decisions decisions...
https://sup.co.uk/aqua-marina-fusion-package
Got my fusion from there, register for newsletter and you'll get 10% off John. The Itwit I have is the 11' touring one, the extra 2" width defo suits me better, but I'll use the fusion with a wee kayak seat too, as it has the 4 attaching rings.
Was out on the sea last night, aye, that's a bit harder btw!.
Happy to meet if ye fancy a shot of them, no probs.
Cheers mate - i'll probably go for the Itiwit one, read a few reviews saying the extra width is really handy & the wee one will be jumping on too at some point... and maybe also the dug but she's only wee
Castle Semple is like pea soup some days with algae - mouth closed if you ever fall in there!
Lol, I was at a lovely local spot that is surrounded on either side by a paper mill, pharma plant, quarry and a landfill not too far away! (can't see any of them from the water, whaich is nice)
One of our principal scientists at work tests it fairly regularly, as he trains there with the other tri club folks, and it's very clean, surprisingly.
If it's deep it makes a difference - Castle Semple is only 5/6ft deep so it warms up quickly, was at Loch Lubnaig at the weekend with the kayak, lovely there with a wee takeaway cafe & toilets but get in early!
Aye, it falls away really quick, proper deep, the complete opposite of Prestwick beach. Reggie Perrin would have died of exhaustion before he faked his drowing.
Got a week in boat of Garten next week, need to pester @scotroutes for a location that's not loch morlich 😄
We got a paddleboard from Intersport in France . 180 euros . it is a Firefly . Spent a week in the Gorges du verdon and Lac de Ste Croix , used it everyday . good value for money .
Hmmm... so I took the GF and kids to an AWESOME spot near me over the weekend... lovely grassy banks near a basically still river.. beautiful!
BBQ and splashing and swimming...
Loads of people had iSUPs... Kinda got me a bit tempted... I'd quite fancy one I can fit the kids on as well as quite a few dads were pootling along with a kid or two jsut sat on the front!...
Reckon the Aquaplanet max is a good beginner buy???
DrP
LINK FIXED
Looks good DrP, go for it.
Hmm, good sport DrP, I’ve not come across Aquaplanet before. Am liking the look of that Max and maybe the bigger Jupiter for taking the boy out.
All looks genuine judging by their customer photos and Insta.
Might have to take a punt.
I've the aqua plamet fusion, not quite as stable as the itwit 11', but still pretty good.
I've a pace from aquaplanet.
It's been a decent entry board for us.
Do think my next will be 12ft plus though.
Anyone recommend a SUP kayak seat? Fancy one for fishing.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079RJXDSB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_H8PZZ9C1FJ635XJFBQ3R
I hear this one's good 🙂
Been out a couple of times on the Lidl Special ... really good.
Was out with a pal on a £500 worth of Aqua Planet really sure there was much difference, although the Aqua Planet did have "quick release" fins (all three) they are handy compared to the Mistral's.
Another thing that is a small let down on the Mistral is the paddle it's very basic, fine but basic. Anyone upgraded their paddle ? Any recommendations please ?