It was with a fair amount of excitement that my wife and I returned to our adopted island of Lanzarote this last September after our annual Cornish Summer. Generally I’ll be coming back with some sort of plunder, perhaps a new Bilbo tow-board or a nice sleek ‘Island Series’ semi-gun for those magic winter days. This time, however was the first time we’d arrived on the volcanic shores with stand up paddle boards and after a summer’s Cornish fun and a quick jaunt to Bali we were keen to see what there was to offer...................................

Of course we discovered that SUP, being as versatile as it is, provides a gazillion ways to enjoy a water lover’s paradise like the northern most of the Canary Islands. Julie, not being too into waves (yet!) was loving the flat water paddling. We checked out the familiar north shore when the surf was small and I was stoked that Julie could finally see the skyline of volcanic cones from the perspective that’s so normal to us.... from the water. We had great sessions in La Santa, Caleta Caballo and under the imposing backdrop of the 700m high Risco de Famara. The leeward side’s long coast has a bunch of great spots too. I reckon that somewhere along the east and south coasts there’d be a safe spot for any level of stand up paddler almost every day of the year. As we cruised along the beaches I noticed the reaction of the tourists. All eyes on you as you pass them slowly cooking in the sun. Stopping of along the way for a quick plate of gambas alajillo and a sneaky beer (sin alcohol of course!) and then disappearing down the coast leaving bewildered sun worshipers in your wake has become a favourite form of flat day entertainment for us !

This interest in SUP spurred me to add it to the services we offer at our guesthouse Casa Penelope through my 28north activities. With just our own kit I checked out Starboard’s web site for teaching boards and sent a quick e-mail off to John Hibbard for advice. Going with his suggestions (thanks John) I ordered a 10’5” Drive and a 10’ Whopper to get the school going and somehow managed to convince everyone it was essential to get a 14’8” Point too! I’d been dreaming of downwind paddling for ages and figured it was now or never. With the formalities complete John e-mailed me to say the kit was on it’s way.

In the meantime I’d been surfing my wife’s 9’8” Starboard swallow tail and having a ball. With the ‘hardcore’ rep Lanzarote has I’d mostly stayed away from the high pressure ‘name’ spots and used the paddle to get to out of the way waves, zip up and down the beach break and also get stoked on some of the less perfect waves that often get overlooked. Very much a case of seek and you shall find. I even had a solo paddle out to Las Bajas... and outside reef that will throw up XXL nominations in the next few years as tow surfing gets more accepted here. From the beach it looked to be just about capping (how can I make such a stupid mistake after 30 years of surfing ???) but on arriving 10 ft peaks exploded all over the huge reef complex. I snagged a couple, saw a hammerhead, almost got caught inside and called it a day. What an experience ! We tow there but this was completely different... I’d love to have a go with some other paddlers one day but until there’s a gang it’ll have to wait!

Finally (all of about a month!) the boards arrived. I unpacked them in the street outside the house and within minutes my neighbour and SUP maniac Gonzaque was down to check things out. The Drive and the Whopper looked pretty much as I expected but the Point was an altogether different craft. With Gonzi off for a surf at Famara, Ju and I took the boards down to the La Santa lagoon and had a fun afternoon getting familiar with them. Naturally a chilled beer followed as the sun set after a great few hours in the water.

Since then I’ve used the Whopper quite a few time to teach on and have to say it’s a fantastic bit of kit. All the students have been up and paddling in the first lesson and it handles quite a bit of movement and chop too. Julie enjoys riding the Whopper (I had to get it in somewhere !) when there’s a bit of roll and I take her  for surf now and again because it amuses me to be surfing a 34” wide board. Goes too. I can’t recommend the Whopper enough as a teaching board or just as an easy to use FUN SUP board. Similarly the Drive has been really functional as a school board, especially for progressing students or those moving into riding waves. I tend to surf it either when the waves are up a bit or really small and I fancy a longboard feel, so good choice there too.

The Point has been one of the great revelations of my recent surfing career and I haven’t felt so excited about a board since I first rode a tow board. The downwind opportunities here are INCREDIBLE and there’s definitely no room here for them just now !! Check out:

http://paddlelanzarote.blogspot.com/

So all in all it’s been a really stimulating introduction to SUP here on Lanzarote. Whilst Fuerteventura has a big SUP scene it’s still quite embryonic here but growing fast as people suss onto the fun they can have. I can see that SUP will open up the water to those that might not be attracted to surfing and give those of us who already know the water more ways to enjoy it. And for me that can only be a positive thing for the island.

As we discover the good downwinders, beautiful SUP beaches and catch some waves I’ll post them here and see if we can entice you over to share the fun.

www.guesthouselanzarote.co.uk

www.28north.co.uk