The first instalment of a four-part paddleboarding video blog for Two Bare Feet. Join Nicole and her husband Robb, as they prepare to embark on a day trip to a popular Sussex reservoir – with their new Two Bare Feet iSUPs.
Paddleboarding is easily one of my favourite ways to relax. True – surfing and kayaking are fun, but I just adore how peaceful paddleboarding can be, and how close to the water I feel when I’m on my SUP.
My husband, Robb, and I live in Sussex, where we are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to paddleboarding locations. Our favourite is Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex. When the weather finally started to pick up a couple of weeks ago, nothing could stop us from grabbing our boards and heading to the waterside!
Two Bare Feet inflatable paddleboards
This summer we‘ve been lucky enough to use a pair of Two Bare Feet inflatable SUPs. I chose a double chamber board, which has two separate air compartments, instead of just one. The beauty of a double chamber SUP is that the air is spread more evenly, which means the board is super stable and easy to paddle – perfect for riders like me who are known to be a tad clumsy!
I’m pretty small, so I could have easily sized down my board, but I needed a bit of extra space for our beautiful dog, Rocco! A 10’10” paddleboard will fit both me and the pup comfortably, without being too big for me to manoeuvre.
Robb is over 6’0” in height, so he needs a bigger board. He decided on a 12’6” Sport Air Touring board, which is wide enough to support his weight and can hold extra kit if needed. He’s struggled to balance before when using boards that aren’t big enough, so this size should be a better fit. We sometimes paddle with friends who don’t have their own boards – the beauty of Robb’s larger board is that he can potentially carry an extra passenger in these situations.
For recreational paddleboarders like us, I’d recommended choosing a board that is a little larger than you need, so you have room to carry supplies. Who wants to be caught out without a delicious picnic on a day like today?
Getting set: our SUP accessories
Before I go on a paddleboarding excursion I try to make sure I have a hearty breakfast. Paddling on still water is relaxing, but a day on the water is still a serious workout which requires serious fuel! We also start our day with coffee, for that essential jumpstart. (Robb tends to be a tad cranky without a good cup of joe!)
I’m always excited about getting out on to the water. However, this doesn’t mean I‘ll neglect my own safety. I always take the time to double check our boards and equipment before we leave.
We keep both SUPs in their handy dry bags, but we‘ll still give each board a once over to make sure they haven’t picked up any damage while in storage or on a previous excursion.
I’m giving Two Bare Feet’s Carbon Pro two-piece paddle a whirl today. It’s far lighter than a standard paddle, which means it should float if I drop it in the water. Not that I intend to do that – much! Let’s just say that, from experience, I know what it’s like to paddle back to shore using your hands because your paddle went AWOL – it’s not fun!
Although some paddleboarders choose not to wear a buoyancy aid, we always ensure we’ve got our safety equipment in order. If you‘ve spent as much time as me in the water, rather than on it, you’ll be thankful for a reliable buoyancy aid! Some reservoir sites, including Ardingly, won’t even let you on the water if you’re not equipped with one.I also tend to bring a repair kit along with me, as being able to fix a puncture on the go is way better than having to turn back because your iSUP is losing pressure.
Once the paddleboard and equipment checks are done, we can pack up. The storage bags do double duty as rucksacks, so carrying everything is a cinch. We‘ve tried hard paddleboards in the past, but found transporting them to be a real struggle – inflatable boards are far easier to move and carry, because they can be deflated when not in use and are much lighter.
Our best place to paddleboard
Robb and I love the sea, so living near somewhere like Brighton is a real treat. We often head to the beach to paddleboard on quieter days. However, as we reach the peak of summer, beaches along the south coast become a little too busy for our liking – if you’ve been to Brighton on a sunny weekend, you’ll know exactly what I mean!
On days like these, we head inland for the tranquility of Ardingly. It’s a stunning place to enjoy the British summer. Although we’re fans of paddleboarding, the reservoir is a popular location for windsurfing, sailing and kayaking. There are also some lovely trails around the site – we often take Rocco for evening walks here.
The beauty of Ardingly Reservoir is the huge choice of launch spots. You can choose to make use of the jetty at the activity centre or, like us, hike to a more secluded spot. Whenever we come here, we’re amazed by how serene it is; the water is smooth and the trees that surround the water block a lot of the wind, making for perfect paddleboarding conditions.
Once we reach the reservoir, we give our boards and kit one final quick check before hitting the trail. The launch spot is about a kilometre from the parking lot; our route will wind through the picturesque woodland adjacent to the water.
We’re lucky to have chosen a beautiful day; there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Once the packs are strapped to our backs, we set off. Almost immediately, I can feel the hustle and bustle of the daily grind slipping away, replaced with the simplicity of the outdoors: the hard dirt trail crunching under my feet; a gentle breeze against my face; the occasional sound of a duck in the distance.
I feel at peace – today is just perfect. I can’t wait to kick back on my board and soak up those rays!
Coming up: The Perfect Escape
Keep an eye on the Two Bare Feet blog for my next post, when Robb and I will set up our boards and get ready to launch. Hopefully I won’t spoil the peace and quiet of the beautiful reservoir by ditching into the water! Swing by next week, when I‘ll share how we get on.
See you then!
