Thanks to Keterina for filming!

Contributed by: Jack S

The wave is basically just a close out and there was some big sets coming through yesterday which made getting in and out interesting. I’m already a leash down, I was paddling out yesterday and a big set 6-7ft came in and the first wave broke in front of me and I knew I wasn’t going to make it over so I jumped under, and the leash survived that wave! Then the next wave hit, snapped the leash and took the board right up the beach (no damage though!) which left me with a tough swim in during the biggest waves of the day!

So after Salt Creek I went down the Doheny State Beach (which is where the event was held last year) and had a good session there meeting up with the rest of the UK guys,  we had a fun surf session, with no drama’s as the waves have slightly less grunt to them compared to Salt Creek.

Contributed by: Charlie J

I had an amazing start and managed to get off the line at the front along with Clubvass friend Jay Haysey and the top 3 Peter Bartl, Bart de Zwart and Martjin van Deth.  Jay and I kept them in site for the first 10km and managed to get a gap with the group behind us. At this point I thought a top ten finish could happen, but then as we hit the 16km my shoulder started playing up due to an ongoing injury, and by 19km I could barely paddle on my right side. This was a huge blow as I still felt like I had loads of energy left in the tank! So unfortunately I was now out of the race as I had to stop at the 26km rest stop.

On Day Two I saw two physio’s and they did a really good job on my shoulder and I felt like I could race again. So once again I got a really good start, and me and Jay were even in 1st and 2nd for about 30 meters until the top 3, Bart, Peter and Martjin came flying past us. I managed to get away from Jay a little and he ended up leading an 8 man draft train. I managed to stay in 4th for about 2.5km and then fell in and ended up at the back of the draft train. The train stayed the same until we got to a big lake just before the rest stop. The train got broken up and I went really wide to try and then head directly downwind to overtake as you can see in the picture.

You can also see the top 3 just in front of us! Unfortunately this didn’t pay off and I fell behind the rest of the guys. But in the afternoon I was able to make up some time and finished in 8th on day two.

Day 3 went pretty similarly only I felt a bit weak in the afternoon and finished in 11th or 12th. That night I didn’t really feel too great and wasn’t able to eat that much. The next morning I felt even worse and could hardly eat anything, but I tried to race anyway. But only 3 km in and I had to stop I felt really ill and weak. I went to the doctor as I thought it might have been something to do with this rash on my forehead that appeared the week before the race, the doctor took a look and it turns out I’d got shingles! Not ideal when trying to complete a 220km race, so that was the event over for me.

But I still had had a great time at the event and met loads of awesome people, the level was really high this year and the competition between the top 15 guys was really intense all week long! Huge respect for everyone who competed this year! And even more respect for the crazy racers that did the 220km non-stop! I can’t even imagine trying to do this race non-stop!

All in all not the best event for me! But I will be back next year.  For now I’ve got B.O.P coming up so I need to get myself recovered in time for that!

Thanks to Bray Lake Watersports and Starboard SUP UK for their support.

Also can’t forget my Dad for supporting me all week!

Contributed by: Charlie J

I was out on my new Starboard Flare 100l and new 4.0m Severne Freek which is now my new weapon of choice. The 4.0m is still incredibly duckable for such a small sail. I am getting on very well with the board too it is a bit more user friendly than the previous model which is great for freestylers around my level.

Thanks to my brother Hugh for taking the pics and fingers crossed for some more wild weather this summer!

Contributed by: Jack K108

Billed as the Ultra Race, the 16 miles was intimidating but as this was my home race there was no ducking out of this one.  It’s fair to say I was not alone in being a little worried.  Despite being on familiar territory having paddled the various parts of the course many times, I’d never actually joined them all up before.  Last year I chose the Adventure paddle, completing a slightly shorter 12 miles at a more leisurely pace in keeping with my capability at the time.  The race from Hurley to Windsor incorporating the portage of 6 locks was the longest distance I’d paddled, let alone raced.

Still nursing a few aches and pains gained in training and in the unfamiliar coastal conditions two weeks previously I was keen to finish the race unscathed.  If I don’t push hard enough I’ll be disappointed in myself, but push too hard I may not make the finish at all.  Whilst I know I’m improving my fitness through paddling regularly, being new to this climate of competition I have work to do on my understanding of the fitness, nutrition and hydration needed – When to push? When not to push?  Maybe I’m getting a bit competitive after all.

The sun was shining race day which was great for pre-race banter and milling about.  Race build up is always a good catch up session with familiar and new friendly faces from far and wide. The race briefing detailed the course and safety observations – To avoid a nasty bottle neck at the first lock the classes had a generous start interval – 14′ Men, 14′ Ladies and 12’6 Men all 5 minutes apart and then there I was lined up with the 12’6 Ladies.

Go! Go! Go!

Or not… The start not a great one for me – A couple of my fellow Bray ladies miss timed the start procedure finding themselves side on as the fleet surged forward and I was stuck behind them.  Not that it mattered – my starts have not lit any fires to date so why should this be an exception.  I find it takes me a while to get into my stride and relax into a steady constant paddle and lets face it I had plenty of time to get back anything I could.

I initially settled into a strong long stroke to pull myself into the first lock. Having on a previous occasion witnessed the seriously competitive with skill leap from board to bank, run the length of the lock and determinedly throw themselves and their boards back into the water again I can confirm in comparison my portage to be a much more considered affair.  Glide in easy, place yourself carefully so not to fall in and most importantly don’t damage your board!  Following my Miss Daisy approach to the Portage I took a little advise given to me and put in about 20 quick strokes off the lock before settling back in to a more long game pace.  I wasn’t hitting it so hard that I missed the beautiful scenery or worried about not finishing, but then didn’t give myself the opportunity of taking on the interior design styling’s of the riverside homes, moorings and boat houses either.  It was a pace to allow appreciation of obvious architecture which I could maintain without draft or train as the field was pretty spread now and whilst I always had paddlers in sight I was very much working alone.

More miles, more locks and words encouragement along the way and only one mantra reigned – My race was with the one in front – Whoever that was.  I got into a bit of a stride pushing and easing incentivising myself with a number of gains and new targets in my mantra.  It was hot, and I could feel myself tiring and unlike those unfamiliar with the route and un-researched I wasn’t sure if knowing how far I’d come and had to go was an advantage or disadvantage to the psychology of my race especially as I’d been feeling my shoulder pull since Marlow – certainly didn’t take it long to let me know it was there.

On approach to the final lock I glanced back hoping to have built up a sufficient distance to those behind me to maintain my place knowing I was tiring significantly now – I had – Phew!  As I hit land I could see fellow Bray 12’6 lady Lisa stretching at the far end of the pontoon in front of me, upon seeing me though she promptly jumped on her board unbeknown to her I didn’t have it in me to close the gap.  Having grabbed a sports gel and mouth of flapjack at the previous lock I had hoped it was going to kick in about now – It was not to be.  Just had to keep paddling with whatever I had left.  Being a member of Windsor & Maidenhead SUP Club, Windsor Castle on the horizon is now a familiar sight to me but it has never looked so magnificent as it did to me coming into view that day – Such a welcome sight, but it was not the end.  The final navigation of rowers and pleasure boats felt like the longest stretch until the sight of Eton Bridge and the shouts and cheers from the guys confirming the end of my race.  Whoop! Finished at last!

Exhausted, but such a huge sense of achievement – 13th placed 12’6 Female completed in 3 Hours 33 Minutes.  Happy for now, but plenty of potential for improvement with a bit more preparation.

Thank you & well done to all those involved in making it a great weekend.

Contributed by: Candice

Was that the sun creeping through?  Whoop – Yes! The final 13 country miles winding from Haverfordwest through to Dale were brightening.  On arrival into the bay some of the guys could already be seen out on water so what better way to unwind from a long miserable drive, than to grab an inflatable 10’6 from the boot and get out with them for a cheeky SUP before decamping to The Griffin for a bite and some banter.

Despite the poor outlook, 10 Bray friends and members turned out to be rewarded for their efforts.  Friday morning kicked off at various B&Bs with a Full English to fuel the day.  Gathering on the beach the enviable ponder of conditions and rig requirements commenced.  Following some faffing about, splashing about and profanity with a 5.5 – I got it right the second time.  An offshore provide some lovely flat water for me to get back into a Windsurf on my 4.75 whilst the big boys blasted along the bay.  We earned our dinner and beers, that’s for sure.

Saturday morning saw even stronger winds blowing through.  Was I man enough?  No – sadly not with limited water time to speak of in 2014 and nothing smaller than the 4.75 in my quiver.  Something to work on me thinks.  Instead Chris and I headed out for a morning walk along the coastal path before reassessing an afternoon on the water – glad the wind didn’t change direction and sweep us out to sea as I didn’t have my ruby slippers to hand to take me home – Let’s just say it was bracing.

Whilst the others took to the water in Dale again on the Sunday morning, I decided to head off for a stop on The Gower Peninsula on the way home.  Meeting up with UK SUP event regulars Alan & Emily for a SUP Surf at the beautiful Oxwich Bay.  Something new for me as the last attempt I had at surfing was a body board in Newquay as a child.  A fun few hours, albeit maybe not for the local fishermen.  My cackle was likely to scare off the fish – the whole bay knew I had arrived.  Mental note to self – when trying to SUP Surf – pack the right leash.  Those coils really do work!

Active, but a change really is as good as a rest.

Contributed by: Candice

On the Sunday I had a funny old day. Before heats started a slalom sailors board got blown down the beach and put a decent sized hole in my sail. I didn’t sail particularly badly all day and felt very aggrieved with the judges in some of the heats. I ended up 5th in the amateurs which is not to bad considering that on the Sunday I was very disadvantaged doing switch on port tack in serious chop. I did feel that I deserved a little better though and maybe I should start quibbling! With it being the amateur fleet though arguing feels a bit much and I was trying to live by the moto ‘what goes around comes around’.

The plan for the winter is that I am really going to work on simple moves like spocks and loops for next years series and hopefully I will fare a little better. Kieran Roans has dominated the amateur fleet once again. He is super consistent and always lands 5 or more solid, clean moves per heat. I just need to try and get closer to him in terms of consistency for next year and you never know.

Thanks for reading, Jack K108

Contributed by: Jack S

For those of you who don’t know me, punctuality is not my strong point, but for once I arrived at the event with time for a warm up. I was on fire in the warm up on my new 4.4 Severne Freek but was getting  way too stacked for much freestyle on the way in and was often getting slammed on shakkas. I was really banking on my shakkas to pay off for me today because usually they are consistent. Also the conditions were set up perfectly to do massive shakkas on starboard tack with the chop/waves. As it was still early I backed the forecast and changed down to 3.6 Severne S1 for the heats. This meant I had the smallest sail up out of the competitors (except for the kids). It was the right call and I planed the whole time through all my heats.

My first heat I sailed ok. I landed 2 loops on the way out, and very nearly managed a half switch kono on the way in. I also did some really big shuvitts but the shakka remained illusive. It is all very well controlling shakkas on flat water, when you are not too stacked but they can prove really tricky to control when you are staked and get masses of height off a wave. The heats were only 5 minutes which literally flies by, especially when you are rushing. I was a little gutted to discover that I came 4th, the conditions were super choppy so I was a little surprised. If I had gotten the Kono or the Shakka I would certainly have been in right up there.

My second heat I thought I sailed much the same but somehow managed to come 2nd. Maybe my shuvitts and loop were a bit higher. Usually I only managed 2 or 3 runs in and out in my heats. This makes things very stressful if you crash early! In the third heat, that was exactly what I did, got a bit flustered and only managed one very wet loop and dodgy shuvits. This condemned me to 4th place again and 3 heats sailed, no shakkas!

Sadly this was the last of the action as far as heats were concerned because of high tide and the shore-dump.

Overall I came 3rd equal with Ben Lee, behind Kieren Roan and Ollie Acton. Phil Richards sailed very well in the pro fleet and was narrowly pipped by Oscar Carmichael. I did manage some more windsurfing in the evening with Ricky when he came down. Sundays forecast was not looking promising so against my will 4 of us ended up in a bar in Worthing until the early hours.

Great weekend! fingers crossed for some wind in Eastbourne!

Contributed by: Jack K108

The day was lead by Ryan James and Marie Buchanan. Both well known in the SUP world, Ryan for his ability to make most boards look like they are powered by an engine and Marie for her ability to compete at such a high level that she regularly beats a lot of the men’s fleet, girl power at its best!!

On land clinics included:

• different types of SUPing and the boards for each of the different discipline
• paddle choice and fin types and selection
• simulator session on paddling technique including correct body position, paddle entry and exit and the power phase of the stroke.

Paul Simmons was on hand from Starboard to give the group a low down on the flat water boards and their usage.

After a quick change everyone headed out on the water armed with lots of tips from the top and had the added benefit of Ryan and Marie being on hand to help with putting their new found technique into practice.  Most people were able to receive some one to one time with either Ryan or Marie, allowing them to work on specific areas and it was great to see smiles on faces as the penny dropped and they nailed their new technique!

After lunch we let the boys go off and paddle at speed round the lake and do some man type sessions, but instead of being left with the washing up….. us ladies went out for a ladies only session!

It was brilliant to see so many women on the water, at one point there were about 14 of us! It’s not often that you will catch me doing something that is specifically designed for only women to take part in, however sometimes it’s nice not to have to compete with a group of men for an instructor’s attention or ask a question that most men won’t even have considered!

So our clinic was great, asked what most of the ladies wanted to work on the resounding choice was to continue to work on practice paddle technique, but also to look at the process of turning the board, mark rounding and start line practice. With Marie on hand to give hints and help with any problems, I think the session was helpful to all and everyone finished the session having learnt something new or improved their technique.

The last session of the day was a nutrition talk by Ryan, who gave a great talk on the importance of correct hydration during racing, types of foods to avoid and the types and sort of food you should be eating regardless of sport but as a general rule. As he clearly could have talked for a week on nutrition for sport and athletes and he was only skimming the surface. But the information he gave was perfectly balanced and certainly made me want to change a few things!

All in all the day was a great success, lots of people on the water, lots of boards tested, lots of paddling styles and techniques improved upon! A BIG thank you to Ryan and Marie for running the day and the rest of the Starboard team for promoting the day and providing a few extra boards.

The Monday (1st April) on the other hand was a great success. It’s a really nice freestyle spot and flattest on port tack when the wind is coming from the east, which is awesome for me.  Low tide was in the morning so the cold hands were fairly brutal. I sailed ok considering the cold and landed lots of switch moves on port.

It was only my second session on my new Severne Freeks and Starboard Flare. Really enjoying the “Duckability” of the sails. I only messed up 1 duck out of about 20 which is awesome considering I often used to sail and mess up 20 in a row. I have tried my 4.4 and 5.2 Freeks now, having used the 4.4 down at the Esso Garage the other day.

I’m really getting on well with them and the extra speed of the board is really helping me get a lot more looks at Burners than I normally do.

I think that I might go for a cheeky Birthday windsurf tomorrow and hopefully make some progress with these Burners!

Contributed by: Jack S