Ever had that sinking feeling when you turn up to the beach & there are no kites up & no sails on the water? The sun is shining off the glassy sea & there's not a sniff of wind... The forecast has let you down (yet again).
So unless you want to spend the day sunbathing & waiting for wind, it's time to look for some alternative toys, to compliment your wind-powered kit, for when it's just not happening!
Here at 24-7 Boardsports we are big fans of SUP & its seemingly mystical power to make the wind switch on just when you start paddling... and if it doesn't, well, you're on the water having fun.
Paddling makes a great warm up or warm down from kiting. The light sunny spring mornings where it's great for paddling can turn into epic afternoon sea breeze kite or windsurf sessions. A SUP session is ideal cross training for kite & windsurf. It develops your balance, aerobic fitness & core strength as well as your wind & water awareness. After a hard kite session it's great to unwind in the evening & stretch out your muscles with a steady low impact paddle up to the nearest watering hole.
You don't even need much space for storing or transporting SUPs. Inflatable SUP boards have been around for a few years now & the latest boards from companies like Red Paddle Co. and STX are completely legitimate, functional SUPs. Capable of holding pressures around 25psi, with stiffening battens on the rails, these new boards are not only ding proof, but they roll up into a rucksack. Team that up with a 3 piece Paddle & you have winning combination. Don't take my word for it though, next time you're skunked by the wind, drop into the shop & take an iSUP out for a paddle.
