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I C O U L D T R Y. . .
Stand-up paddle boarding Paddleboarding was already growing in popularity even before social distancing and outdoor activities became our best option to stay in shape. William Ham Bevan finds out what’s involved TAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING – SUP for short – has been one of the fastest-growing water sports of the past decade. The Covid-19 pandemic delivered a further tidal surge in its popularity, as people sought socially distanced ways to get outdoors and shake off the after-effects of lockdown.
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A great part of the sport’s appeal is its accessibility, says Matthew Barker Smith of SUP Gower (supgower.com), which provides tuition and excursions on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales. “They’re like bicycles of the sea,” he says. “Anyone can jump on a bike and learn to ride it, and it’s the same thing with SUP.”
Where can you do it? In the UK, there are few restrictions as to where you are allowed to paddleboard on the sea, but plenty of places where you shouldn’t. Local knowledge is essential: Sup Hub UK maintains useful maps of where you can find it at suphubuk.com firstvoice.fsb.org.uk
24/05/2021 13:50
