BSUPA AGM May 16th at 5.30pm in Bournemouth area. For details contact [email protected]
BSUPA AGM May 16th at 5.30pm in Bournemouth area
Paddleboarding, without adrenaline
I have come to realise a couple of things.
I’m not an adrenaline junky and I’m not massively competitive. Hope that’s OK.
I know we’re all supposed to be-thrill seekers and extreme all the time,
I should be boasting about the size of the waves, my speed, how many bottom turns, etc etc. I should be showing off and claiming it too!
But it’s not me, not my style.
This was all brought home to me by this afternoon’s paddleboard trip (session sounds too aggressive). Gloomy, cold (60C), breezy (10 knots) and no waves (1ft), not an exciting prospect. But always better than the telly or shopping. And it was.
So off to Sandbanks with my new12’6†Bic Wing Cruise/Race board. Nobody else out, Oh well ‘Go For It’ I thought, any hesitation would mean doom. So quickly on the water, and paddling hard (for me) into the wind, practising a few pivot turns and starting to feel warmer.
Now catching a few little waves and learning to get my weight back quickly on these boards with hardly any rocker. Beach walkers huddled in warm coats hardly notice me, there’s no wooping as I pull into the micro waves! It’s a great sensation sliding on the little swells on such a big board, so smooth and stable.
Things are definitely looking up.
Paddle on up to Canford Cliffs for a bit of shelter from the wind and simultaneously the sun comes out and the water is glassy.
Catch another ten 1foot waves and two 2 foot waves, fall in but getting hot now! Fleecy hat off.
Awesome!
Time to head for home, so back out into the wind for a bit of free assistance.
Can’t believe my eyes when I see a couple of dorsal fins, or is it just cormorants?
No right the first time. A pair of Harbour Porpoises join me for my cruise back down to Sandbanks, I’m so close to them that I can hear their squeaks as they surface. I gently follow them and then as they head off towards Old Harry I turn right for the beach.
What a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours. No adrenaline, no moves to boast about, just a relaxing cruise, but I loved it.
RT
Footnote
Paddleboarding has very quickly developed into an extreme sport. We’ve got the wave guys paddling into Jaws and Teahupoo, epic down-winders, ultra-long distance events, white-water on rivers etc. I think that we paddleboarders have to be careful to present our sport to new comers as one that has extreme aspects, but at its core is a family friendly, healthy, accessible and EASY sport for all.
How many potential SUPers are intimidated by the imagery so often associated with our sport? Perhaps we need to learn lessons from windsurfing which is perceived as such a difficult and expensive sport. In fact it is ironic that many SUP boards offer an excellent way back to the ‘fun-for-all’ roots of windsurfing.
My next bit if kit could be a ‘SUPbrella’(Patent Pending) – a light golf umbrella that I can tie it down as I go upwind and then unfurl for a downwind sail. Is that cool?
It is to me! Perhaps I could even lie down for a quick kip as I slide along downwind. That would be cool!
Inland Waterways Access
Waterways accessBSUPA have made efforts to negotiate Block Licence agreements for our members for inland waterways access with both the Environment Agency and British Waterways (now Canals and Rivers Trust). However they was felt that Paddleboarding was not a big enough sport at present to be granted a Licence Agreement having assumed that we are working with the British Canoe Union. Many inland paddleboarders do use their BCU membership for this purpose. BSUPA believe that SUP is a distinct sport from Kayaking/canoeing, with different risks and considerations. BSUPA have made it clear that we wish to revisit this issue in Spring 2013 and it was agreed that negotiations might start again. We need to persuade EA/CRT of the distinct nature of our sport to build our case, and any assistance, especially from inland clubs would be appreciated.
BSUPA Level 2 Instructors Course
BSUPA launched the new Level 2 Instructors scheme –Andy Gratwick and Simon Bassett delivered the new course which has been split into two key areas –Learning Surf on SUP and different levels of SUP touring and distance paddling.The course has much more emphasis SUP school management ,lesson safety ,lesson operating areas as well as specific SUP teaching technique in both surf and touring.
The course was run at X-train West Wittering and had BSUPA instructors/Schools from Key SUP in Devon , ASUPA Essex,Wild Diamond in Tiree , Scotland and Active Adventure Somerset . Andy and Simon are pleased with the way the The BSUPA coaching scheme has progressed with over 212 instructors on the Level one ticket –and increasing numbers of BSUPA schools signing up to the school program.We hope by mid December to get the 2013 instructor dates on the website .
Comments from Simon Harrow (Chairman) and Ollie O’Reilly who attended:
It was with much anticipation that Ollie and I turned up to a blustery beach at west wittering to undertake the new BSUPA Level 2 Instructors course. The course has been over a year in the making and is tailored to those instructors who are looking to expand their portfolio of teaching into waves, distance & touring.
We were warmly welcomed to the ‘Hut’ for a get to know one and other followed by an outline of the two day course ahead of us. Despite the angry seas, dark clouds & 20 knot winds we then ventured into the peaks & troughs of Witterings finest surf (reminiscent of Watergate Bay Final) and were given the opportunity to demonstrate our ability & agility required. The session was followed by an introduction to the Level 2 manual and on flicking through it is evident where all the hours and hours of Simon Bassett & Andy Gratwick’s time has been spent over the last year.
The two day course was executed by Simon & Andy in a polished format that far exceeded ours and our co-students expectations. The inclusion of an exam at the end of the two days kept us very attentive throughout.
I know I speak on behalf of all those who attended when I say that this course lifted our knowledge and ability to new levels of teaching and coaching practices and it is hard to believe that ours was the first course they had delivered.
If you are serious and passionate about your teaching of SUP then this is an absolute must have qualification.
BSUPA for 2013 will be adding more LEVEL 2 instructor courses for next season please keep a eye the website ,as well as BSUPA level 1- 2 day and I day Conversion courses dates for 2013.
New Gallery
Check out the new BSUPA gallery of the BSUPA National Championships. Just click on the gallery tab.
Photography credit to Bob Berry and Rob Jewell
Results for Extreme Academy 2012 BSUPA National Championships – Watergate Bay
Results for Extreme Academy 2012 BSUPA National Championships – Watergate Bay
Mens Open Surf
1st Andre Le Geyt
2nd Jim Richardson
3rd Arron Rowe
4th Titou Minster
Womens Open Surf
1st Maria Buchanan
2nd Abigail Barker Smith
3rd Kath Jones
4th Mi Richardson
Jnr Boys Surf
1st Arron Rowe
2nd Ollie Laddiman
3rd Louie Harrow
Jnr Girls Surf
1st Holly Basset
Battle of the Paddle – Men’s 12’6″ Class
1st Charlie Grey
2nd Ryan James
3rd Oliver Shilton
Battle of the Paddle – Mens 14′ Class
1st Matt Smith
2nd Andrew Pieterse
3rd Tim Rowe
Battle of the Paddle – Women
1st Marie Buchanan
2nd Lizzie Bird
Rapanui Wave Expression Session
1st Gareth Grant
2nd Matt Thomas
3rd Will Rogers
4th Jim Richardson
2012 Watergate Bay Waterman
Andre le Geyt
Extreme Academy 2012 BSUPA National Championships
Extreme Academy 2012 BSUPA National Championships 13th/14th October – Watergate Bay
Last year was a truly awsome event with challanging waves & warm sunshine! This years BSUPA National Championships which will once again be hosted by the Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay on the weekend of 13th & 14th of October. Over the course of the two days there will be competition in both surf and distance racing. Along side the Open Men and Open Women categories this year will also see the inclusion of under 16’s in Waves.
BSUPA would like to take this opportunity to thank sponsors, officials and yourselves for their support in making this the UK premier Stand UP Paddleboard Competition.
BSUPA are please to announce details of competition format along with with details of entry into this years competition. The format for the two days of competition will be as follows:
Saturday 13th October 2012
Men’s Open Surf, Women’s Open Surf, Jnr Boys & Jnr Girls Surf
Due to time constraints BSUPA will be restricting the number of the Men’s Open to 40 entries. Entry for competition is only available via pre-entry the competition via BSUPA website. Entries for the Mens, Women & Jnr Surf.
Entry will close at 12 noon on Friday 12th October.
Competitors wishing to entry just the Battle of the Paddle & Distance can do so on the Sunday Morning before 9am.
Sunday 14th October 2012
Battle of the Paddle Style Race – Open Men & Open Women. Board will be restricted to 12’6″ Race Class
5km Distance Open Race – Their will be not class restrictions open to all.
Rapanui Open Expression Wave Session
All competitors are required to wear a leash for both Battle of the Paddle and Distance. No leash will result in exclusion from races.
Please be aware that the course for both Battle of the Paddle and 5km Distance with be decided on the the day and subject to weather conditions on the day.
In additional to National Titles to be decided, this year the overall positions from this competition will go towards Team Selection for Team GB SUP for the 2013 ISA Words to be held in Peru.
We encourage you to take part as many of these competitions as possible and in doing so enter them in the spirit of fair play and gamesmanship towards all fellow competitors and officials alike.
Full competition Rules will be posted shortly on competition website www.ipaddleboard.co.uk
Finally we are aiming to stage a party on the Saturday night, details for that to follow soon.
Please Register for the BSUPA Watergate Bay Championships 2012:
Extreme Academy BSUPA Championships
BSUPA SUP SURF CAMP COACHING DAY
Please sign up to the BSUPA SUP Surf Camp Coaching Day:
BSUPA 2012 INSTRUCTOR COURSE DATES
We have the following SUP instructor courses in the near future at West Wittering Windsurf Club.BSUPA Level 1 Instructor Course – £199 – 5/6 November 2012
BSUPA Level 1 Conversion Course – £130 – 8 October (8 places)
BSUPA Level 2 Instructor course – £199 – 30/31 October with Simon Bassett & Andy Gratwick
http://www.x-train.co.uk/tuition/instructors/sup-instructor/
BSUPA Surf Camp Watergare Bay £55 3 hours 12 October –Simon Bassett and Gareth Grant
http://www.bsupa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BSUPA-SUP-SURF-CAMP-v2-copy.jpeg
Please contact Simon Bassett: [email protected] 0774 775 8883 or to book Chris at X-train 01243 513077
BECOMING A BSUPA INSTRUCTOR
Why become a BSUPA instructor?
Teaching any sport you need to have a professional and structured approach, for the safety of your clients and you also need to be able to inspire and teach stand up paddle surfing to a high standard.
BSUPA’s aim is to create a teaching platform that combines core technical skills to teach stand up paddle surfing and inspire a new generation stand up paddlers to take up the sport in a safe and fun manner. The courses will provide a recognised qualification to water sports instructors who wish to develop their careers by teaching stand up paddle surfing.
The BSUPA scheme has been developed and written by Simon Bassett BSUPA and owner of X-Train and 2XS, and Andy Gratwick of Easy Riders in Poole both are joint head coaches for BSUPA.
Why X-Train, West Wittering?
Simon, the owner of X-Train and 2XS was one of the first ten SUP riders in the UK and has been teaching SUP since 2006. He wrote BSUPA instructor scheme and is co founder of BSUPA so when you come to West Wittering, you not only get the great location, you also get the top SUP trainers on hand to help you further your career. We are passionate about paddle surfing so you will get expert advice from people who really are into the sport. Plus West Wittering is great place to paddlesurf –flat water lagoons, waves on berties reef and outer banks and great access to Chichester Harbour. We have SUPS for rent and wetsuits if you don’t want to bring your own.
LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR
PRE REQUISITES:
• RYA Powerboat Level 2; for coastal certificates
• Inland certificates do not require powerboat qualification.(see inland limitations)
• Minimum age 16
• Valid first aid qualification
• Paddle competancy,
1. competent on a range of boards sizes
2. Knowledge and execution of all basic and intermediate paddle stokes
3. Timed paddle test
4. Towing test
5. Unconscious casualty recovery
6. Group control and close quarter manoeuvres control
• Current member of BSUPA;
• Students without any previous water sports teaching experience or qualifications will be required to undertaker 3 hours of shadow teaching at a BSUPA School on the course you will be expected to deliver lecture topics on the following subjects (link) you will also be shown personal paddle technique tips and tune ups. You will have plenty practical water time where you will be shown how to deliver the BSUPA lesson plan –group control techniques as well as a paddle assessment and different methods of rescue recovery.Qualification scope
BSUPA level 1 Instructor qualifies an individual to teach beginner learn to ride courses to a maximum of 6 students on a suitable area of water within the infrastructure of a BSUPA recognizedschool
Junior
You can undertake your BSUPA Level one instructor course at the age of 16. YOU WILL NOT BE A FULLY LICENCED INSTRUCTOR UNTIL THE AGE OF 18. You can assist on courses under the supervision of a fully licensed instructor. You cannot be solely incharge of students or extend a class ratio.Inland
For instructors working on enclosed inland water with a maximum distance of 50m from land and no tidal influences. An RYA powerboat level 2 certificate is recommended but not required. See definition of ‘inland water’ below.LEVEL 1 CONVERSION COURSE
If you are a current RYA, BCU, BKSA, SLSA instructor you can attend a one day ‘direct access’ conversion course to become a level 1 BSUPA instructor.
You must have current valid certificates to prove qualification level.
Failure to reach the required standard in any areas of the instructor assessment will result in being required to attend the full BSUPA instructor level 1 course.
BSUPA LEVEL 2 – READY TO SURF AND EXPLORE
Level 2 separates the scheme into two areas, waves and flat water distance and exploration.
Intro to the waves,
• theory weather and tides;
• Getting out through surf and back ;
• Catching and the take off;
• Riding, trimming, turning and use of paddle in waves
• Etiquette, rescue, emergency stops and surf behavior
Level 2 to be taught in small to medium beach break waves on easily accessible surf beaches.
Exploring
• theory weather and tides;
• Passage planning, exit routes, shelter and distance
• Equipment,boards, paddles, supplies, spares and safety gear
• Group size control and management
• Types of tour, distance, water state currents, towing technique and safetyLEVEL 2 INSTRUCTOR
Once you have gained 100 hours of logged teaching experience at a BSUPA recognized school in no less than 6 months, you can apply for your leve 2 instructor course.
Level 2 as above separates into two categories. Waves and distance.
Level 2 is separated into two disciplines which are developed to an advanced intermediate level.
For waves it involves board types, beach and wave selection. Etiquette, getting out, take off technique, turning, trimming, wipeouts, currents and rips and surf safety and ratiosFor distance it involves board types and selection, short medium and longer tours, rivers, coastlines, tides, windage, passage planning and exit routes, safety gear communications and ratios.
PRE REQUISITIES
• 100 logged Hours as a BSUPA level 1 instructor
• BSUPA Level 1 Instructor Certificate;
• Minimum age 18;
• Paddle skills,
1. Complete level 1 paddle test.
2. Demonstrate a medium level of waveriding ability in moderate surf, catching/turning/trimming/getting out and in/etiquette
3. Demonstrate a medium/high level of fitness and experience in distance paddling and passage planning on both tidal and non tidal waters.
4. Provide video or still photos of your SUP technique in waves and on flat water (to be viewed on the course)
• Current member of BSUPA.QUALIFICATION SCOPE
A qualified BSUPA level 2 Instructor can run or open a BSUPA recognized school. Teach in small to medium surf on beach breaking waves with a ratio of three students to one instructor.
Take level 1 ready to ride paddlers on short and medium length distance paddles and tours, with a maximum of 10 students to one instructor.
To book for West Wittering contact Simon Bassett [email protected] 0774 775 8883
For Poole and group bookings else where in the UK -Andy Gratwick [email protected]07980577893
INSTRUCTOR COURSE DATES
BSUPA Level 1 Instructors 18 19 March
BSUPA Level 1 Conversion 29 April
BSUPA Level 1 Instructors Course 13 14 May
BSUPA Level 1 Conversion course September 25th
BSUPA Level 2 Instructors ,8th 9th October 2013
BSUPA LEVEL 1 Instructors -4 th 5th November 2013
http://www.x-train.co.uk/tuition/instructors/sup-instructor/
For SUP instructor courses in the near future at West Wittering Windsurf Club.
Please contact Simon Bassett: [email protected] 0774 775 8883 for details
BSUPA Level 1 – Ready to Ride
Intro to weather, water environment, board and paddle; Paddle technique, stance, board trim and turning; Safety, self rescue and distress signal;
Basic explanation of SUP in surf and SUP expeditions.
Level 1 all to be taught on flat water.
Teaching any sport you need to have a professional and structured approach, for the safety of your clients and you also need to be able to inspire and teach stand up paddle surfing to a high standard.
BSUPA’s aim is to create a teaching platform that combines core technical skills to teach stand up paddle surfing and inspire a new generation stand up paddlers to take up the sport in a safe and fun manner. The courses will provide a recognised qualification to water sports instructors who wish to develop their careers by teaching stand up paddle surfing.
Instructor Candidate Pre requisites:
RYA Powerboat Level 2;
Minimum age 18;
Valid first aid qualification (for example RYA First Aid
or RNLI);
Riding ability, competent on a range of boards
and able to surf in medium waves;
Current member of BSUPA;
Students without any previous water sports
teaching experience or qualifications
will be required to ghost qualified BSUPA
instructors before certificates are issued.
To book for West Wittering contact Simon Bassett [email protected] 0774 775 8883
For Poole and group bookings else where in the UK -Andy Gratwick [email protected]07980577893
British SUP Team enters ISA World Championship
BSUPA are proud to support the UK SUP Team as they prepare to represent their country at the fore coming International Surfing Association inaugural 2012 World Standup Paddle & Paddleboard Championships to be held in Miraflores, Peru.
The team comprising of Gareth Grant: BSUPA 2011 Surf Champion, Mark Stater: BSUPA 2011 12’6″ Race Champion, Jim Richardson: Winner of Mens Surf Expression (Watergate Bay 2011) & John Harvey from Jersey 2nd Overall 14′ Race Division 2011. Over the five days they will compete in a series of competitions in surf, sprint and distance against teams from other countries from around the world, such as Australia, Hawaii, South Africa, France and Brazil.
Gareth Grant; “It is great to see the UK Stand Up Paddle community represented on the World stage. The 2011 BSUPA National Championships held at Watergate Bay provided a perfect springboard to assist in team selection. With sport of Stand Up paddling growing rapidly, this ISA Championships will only increase the awareness and acceptance of the sport throughout the UK.
Mark Slater; “I feel it to be a great honor and privilege to be going to Peru to represent the UK. It is going to be fantastic opportunity for the UK team to put British Paddleboarding on the world map. Whatever the outcome, I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing experience and a great chance to learn a whole lot more about the sport we love”.
Jim Richardson; “You don’t get too many opportunities to represent your country, to surf with the best in the world, to travel to somewhere you had never imagined going to. How will I fare? Watching video footage of the recent international competitions, British Paddleboarding is comparable with the rest of the world so if I can pick the right waves I hope to make it through a heat or two”.
John Harvey; “It was a great honor to be selected for the team, and to have the chance to represent your country doesn’t happen often so I’m taking this seriously. I’ve started a hard core training routine, as the competition will be fierce with some big guns from USA and Australia attending the championships.
BSUPA and the UK SUP Team extend their gratitude the follow companies for their support to enable the team to participate in these Championships:
Gold Sponsors: Penningtons Solicitors, Enhance Group Ltd-Jersey, Sure Mobile, Penguin Recruitment, AE Thorogood
Silver Sponsors: Naish, Starboard, Laguna Bay, Sandles Wealth Management, Excel.
BSUPA sent their best wishes to the UK SUP Team as they embark on their quest for glory and for taking the best of British competitive standup paddleboarding in to the World arena.
To follow the action from the ISA 2012 World in Peru visit: www.isasurf.org