Q & A with SUP Away
A paddle around the Kingsbridge & Salcombe Estuary
Paddleboarding is a fun and easy way to explore South Devon’s beautiful rivers, estuaries and coastline. We caught up with Phil Way of SUP Away, a local company who rent and deliver paddleboards direct to your holiday cottage, to pick up some hints and tips on this growing sport and discover some of his favourite local haunts.
What is stand-up paddle boarding, aka SUP?
Stand-up paddle boarding or ‘SUP’ for short is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Using a very large, stable board (similar to a surfboard) and a single blade paddle you can navigate your way along coastlines, rivers and lakes. Experienced riders can also surf the waves on them. You can paddle on your knees or on your feet when you have the balance. It is a great way to experience the outdoors and an enjoyable means of getting some good exercise.
Why are Kingsbridge’s creeks and Salcombe’s shores such great places to learn how to SUP?
There are so many different beautiful areas to explore, dependent on what you’d like to get out of a trip, your experience level and also what the weather is doing as many areas are relatively sheltered. You can have a great trip, dependent if you’ve only got an hour to play, or a full day.
What can our guests expect when they book with SUP Away?
SUP Away offer the complete package from delivering your hire boards to your accommodation, through to offering lessons and tours. Their website offers tips and information to get the most out of your hire and their experienced staff will be on hand to offer advice. We recommend people book boards for their whole holiday, giving maximum flexibility about where and when they’re used. The longer you hire them for, the cheaper it becomes per day. The kit is always quality and the latest models.
Why is SUP such a great holiday activity for families?
Anyone can pick up paddle boarding in a relatively short period of time, so it really can be enjoyed by the whole family. Those with younger children can also fit an adult and small person on each board. Whether it’s just splashing about in the shallows, or going on a river journey with a picnic on route, it’s a great way to get on the water and explore areas away from the crowds.
What’s your best bit of advice for someone trying to master the art of stand-up paddle boarding?
You can start on your knees and then as you gain in confidence stand up. The main thing is to relax, enjoy your surroundings and have fun.
Are all SUP boards the same?
You can get hard boards or inflatable SUP boards and boards that are designed for specific disciplines such as surfing or touring. All our SUP boards are inflatable (meaning that they will fit in a car boot when deflated) and are general all round boards.
Is it easy to recover after making a SUP splash?
It is fairly easy to get back on your boards after making a splash! All our boards are fitted with a leash, which means it will never float far away from you.
What are the golden rules for safe stand-up paddle boarding?
Make sure you wear a buoyancy aid (we supply these), wear your paddleboard leash, never go out to sea in an off-shore wind and make sure you take a telephone with you, if you are going on a journey.
Can you share with us a couple of your favourite SUP haunts around the waterways of Kingsbridge & Salcombe?
Hope Cove is a fantastic sheltered spot to explore, as are the upper areas of Kingsbridge estuary around Bowcombe Creek.
Are there any local waterside pubs you enjoy visiting for your Après-SUP?
Apres and during… the Crabshell in Kingsbridge is great, and you can moor up alongside and have fab pizza, and the Pilchard on Burgh Island is another unique setting for your Apres SUP.