Should I stay or should I go?

One of the hardest decisions I have to make is whether to cancel a lesson or not.

I use two, sometimes three, apps/websites... the main one is Windfinder, then I check on Tides4Fishing and finally Buoyweather. But Whitstable has it's own weather - honestly, it's true! The only way to be absolutely sure of how the sea is is to go down and look at it. The apps might all say that the wind is up, say 10 kts gusting at 15 kts... I walk down to the beach and it's dead calm.

Or vice versa.

My scenario is often that I have a student coming from an hour away, Dartford perhaps, and they need to know the night before, or early in the day. The tide goes out so far here and is out for a really long time. I'll go down to the beach to look and the distant water may look fine but all the apps say the wind is coming up and could be more than I'm comfortable teaching on (12 kts or 13.81mph max).

Luckily I can offer a choice - but only if I have time and the student doesn't mind changing location. There is an excellent river half an hour away and, unless it is blowing a total gale and lashing down with rain, we can usually go there. For a first lesson it's ideal - easy to launch and lots of sheltered places to practice standing and turning.

It's only a 35 minute drive from Whitstable and it's always a pleasure to paddle on the river. I do tend to err on the side of caution and believe the app - even though I have returned to Whitstable to find the sea has been glassy! It's not worth the risk.

So, hopefully the lesson can still happen. I'll check the apps and ask myself, to quote The Clash, 'Should I stay or should I go?' and then I start to load the car!

How to safely take your pup on a SUP

When I first discovered stand up paddle boarding (SUP) back in early 2016 it never occurred to me that Elmo, our long-haired dachshund would want to join me.

My new board arrived and I was so excited to get it out of the box and inflate it. As soon as I had finished Elmo jumped on and sat there as if he knew what it was for! I hope you find some of the tips I’ve learnt about keeping him happy and safe when he comes along with me as my SUP buddy helpful.

1. Buy your dog a buoyancy aid. This is important even if your dog is a good swimmer. There are some great ones on the market. They have improved, are a lot less bulky and have come down a lot in price since I bought Elmo’s.

2. Keep the board inflated and somewhere safe for a few days to a week. Put a toy on the board, or a favourite cushion, along with occasional treats. Sit with the pup on the board and play some games.

3. Teach your dog to get on and off the board, sit and stand at your command. Make it fun and do it little and often. The dog really does need to be able to obey commands otherwise it could get dangerous when you’re out on the water.  Rock the board and tell the him it’s ok, make him/her feel safe and secure and then take the board to the beach or waterside and practice there, playing the same games and using treats as rewards. Remember, take it slowly!

4. Get on the water. Start by kneeling, with your pup in-between your legs if they seem worried. Don’t go out too far, use the treats, stay calm. 

5. Have fun!! 

Most dogs love being on a board and soon get the hang of staying still. They don’t have to sit down, Elmo prefers to sit but I’ve seen plenty of dogs standing. Good luck and let me know how you get on!

Should I buy a cheap ISUP? (Inflatable stand up paddleboard)

There are so many (ISUPs) inflatable stand up paddleboards out there to choose from - where the heck do you start?

My first bit of advice is spend as much as you can afford. There are some lower priced boards - and some of them are good - but it's really worth having a good think about. Ask yourself "what do I want my board for?"

As a rule of thumb, as a beginner, you will want to look at boards ranging from 9 feet to 13 feet, 4" or 6" thick

If you want a board to take out on calm, flat days to just have a muck about on with the kids then a very cheap board will probably do you (by 'very cheap I am taking about under £300). A glorified lilo if you like. But what about the great reviews you've read? Please, take these reviews with a pinch of salt. Most of them have been paid, in one way or another, to get the ad placed there. This blog sums it up...  www.mcconks.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-inflatable-sup/

If you want a board that you can play on, which is stable in a light wind, which is a pleasure to ride on long distances then read on - these are my top three affordable ISUP brands:

                                                     1. Mcconks (www.mcconks.com)
These boards are, in my opinion, the best value for money on the market. They are made by paddleboarders for paddleboarders. They have used similar materials to brands such as Red Paddle Co and Starboard and they really care about the quality of their products. Their 10'6 or 10'8, 6" thick, are good entry level boards, and they come with a fibre glass paddle, a coiled leash, front bungees, a wheeled rucksack, Bravo pump and a repair kit. They offer excellent after care and customer service. At present these are in the sale at £480 - £495.



2. Jobe (www.jobesports.com/jobe-sup/)
Jobe are a Dutch company. They were founded in 1974 and supplied skis. In 2008 they were sold to a sports company and began selling a wider range of goods. The Jobe Lika 9'8, 4" thick, is, while a little short for touring, a good value board. The package includes an aluminium paddle, a straight leash, a simple rucksack (looks a bit like a dry bag) and a simple double action pump.  At present on sale for £599.





3. Slingshot (http://www.slingshotsports.com)
Slingshot are an American company. Boardworx in Whitstable (https://www.board-worx.com) are selling their 2017 Crossbreed Airtech Inflatable 11', 6" thick, in the sale. The package includes a simple double action pump, front and rear bungees, a simple rucksack (looks a bit like a dry bag) and a repair kit. Note, no paddle included. At present in the sale at £599.

So, I hope I've helped you to make up your mind. It's as the saying goes - 'you get what you pay for'. If you love the sport you will wish you'd paid a little bit more and bought that little bit better. In an ideal world it's best to try a board out before you buy it but, of course, that just isn't always practical. And, if you've never paddled before and want to buy a board - try and hang on. Have a lesson or two. You'll be really glad you did!