A DECADE AGO, you probably hadn’t heard of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), let alone seen it in action. Neither had I. Today, though, it’s the UK’s fastestgrowing paddle sport. Perhaps that’s because it’s an activity that people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels can master. It’s also a wonderful way to see the world from a different perspective and, as watersports go, the equipment and training needed is minimal.
Last year I moved to rural Sussex and, with a river on my doorstep and the coast not far away, I soon noticed paddleboards, kayaks or canoes were everywhere. Wetsuits were the new workout gear. Watersports clubs were the new gyms. Parents, kids, grandparents, even dogs were doing it. Not one to be left out, I decided to join the club