just be mindful of where you are intending to go and cold water shock. I'm north east Scotland and 90% time in a winter wetsuit 4/5mm. In summer I just roll the top down or jump in the water when too hot. Inland water is warmer etc so winter wetsuit is overkill.
Another plus point for wetsuits is they add buoyancy
Another plus point for wetsuits is they add buoyancy
Although, as pointed out to me by the instructor on my first 'go' on a SUP, you are strapped* to a huge buoyancy aid if you fall in...
*assuming you wear the tether properly....
I bought the 32 ITwIT toured mentioned earlier in the thread as a tender for our boat once I lost use of a council jetty. I can paddle a 5 year old daughter, cool box, associated family outdoor gear in various rucksacks and heavy electric outboard no problem. I have my phone in my pocket I am so confident that I won’t fall in the Thames. It really is a barge and it is really stiff.
true but leashes can break... unlikely for a novice but can happen in surf etc
If I'm going out touring round the cliffs I have this on me just in case. Or it goes on the kids when they are out
https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/2020-red-paddle-original-airbelt-pfd-grey-p-27287.html
All depends how much you want to get into it. But £500ish on an inflatable SUP (research deflection tests before you buy it) and £100ish on a decent branded winter wetsuit will see you right 100% of the time. Just don't be like the fools I see on the Aldi specials
blockquote>true but leashes can break… unlikely for a novice but can happen in surf etc
If I’m going out touring round the cliffs I have this on me just in case. Or it goes on the kids when they are out
Yep, have a proper BA when needed, but just for pootling around it's fine. Kid always wears a BA irrespective.
Hopefully moving a few mins from the beach soon, very SUP curious! Read some of the threads on here. Definitely getting the feeling that, cost aside, rigid is the way to go - both for less faff & performance in windy conditions. (Although I suppose just leaving an inflatable inflated is an option!) Also a decent paddle from the outset sounds like a good investment!
Any good bargains about, or have they all been snapped up like the bikes?!
Any good bargains about, or have they all been snapped up like the bikes?!
There was a thing in one of the Sunday papers which said because of the earlier heatwave, many places had sold out, but I expect that could be the cheaper ones - I bet you can get Red etc!
I did have a look the other day, most places sold out waiting on the 2020 stock to arrive!I bet you can get Red etc!
I have a Bluefin Cruise 15' - 2nd year of ownership. I use it on rivers and lakes - on my own and with the family. It's not an every weekend thing but its a couple of times per month. I weigh 250lbs and am tall so the bigger board was necessary. I've no problems paddling it on my own.
Upgrading to a good carbon paddle is a massive improvement. It makes everything so much better.
Why not eh. You are only here once and all that.
I just bought one today.
Canal and river is just down the road and always surfed so it’s just long overdue. Plus kids will love it as a snorkelling mother ship. Exciting change from cycling too
So in the true spirit of man maths, I’ve gone from looking at a amazon cheapy to likely buying a bluefin cruise 12ft. STW strikes again!
honestly you won't regret the Bluefin, they are one of the top boards for deflection tests
We've got a couple from these!
Great customer support and great boards - they're really relaxing ...once you know what you're doing!