The final instalment of a four part series of paddleboarding Vlogs for Two Bare Feet. In this final episode, Nicole and Robb are joined by Kim for a healthy picnic, an impromptu iSUP race, and one last big splash!
Welcome to the fourth and final part of our SUP adventure series! It’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of our time at Ardingly Reservoir. My friend Kim has just joined Robb and myself out on the water, so now it’s time to paddle to shore and enjoy the amazing lunch Kim’s prepared for us!
A paddleboarding picnic
I know many paddleboarders enjoy having lunch on their boards, but dry land is certainly preferable for me – I’d rather avoid dropping my food into the water! Thankfully, Ardingly Reservoir is equipped with plenty of picnic spots for visitors to rest and soak up the stunning views.
I try to complement an active lifestyle with a fairly healthy diet. However, on long paddleboard excursions like today, serious fuel is required. Carb-loaded meals, such as sandwiches, do an amazing job of keeping our energy levels up!
Two Bare Feet inflatable paddleboards for beginners
Today is only Kim’s second SUP boarding experience. I’m keen to hear what she thinks of the conditions and her new Two Bare Feet inflatable paddleboard.
Like me, Kim isn’t very tall. She’s opted for a 10’6” Two Bare Feet Allround inflatable SUP, which she’s found to be the perfect size; small enough for her to manoeuvre, but with enough buoyancy to handle those beginner wobbles!
Having only used a hard board previously, switching to an inflatable SUP has come as a welcome change for Kim. She was able to carry the board easily on her own this morning. Although we’ve met with her later in the day, Kim has already spent some time exploring the reservoir solo. She needed to transport the deflated board to her chosen launch spot easily, as well as get it in and out of the water without trouble, while fully inflated.
A place where the water is calm and flat also makes for the ideal location to learn basic paddleboarding techniques. A rider will find it easier to maintain their balance and feel safe in these conditions, while they are building up their confidence and proficiency.
One of the aspects of getting a SUP from Two Bare Feet which I really like, is that they bundle their boards with a choice of accessory packages. To me, this is a boon for a beginner like Kim, as it means she didn’t have to deliberate on the pros and cons of the necessary equipment for getting out on the water: leash, paddle, puncture repair kit, SUP pump – it all came with her board, which made her preparations for today quick and easy.
Extra SUP accessories, such as a buoyancy aid, were an easy addition to make to complete the purchase. Two Bare Feet have a really comprehensive selection of paddleboard accessories, saving us from having to shop around – it’s so helpful to have everything in one place.
SUP racing on the reservoir
As much as I would have liked to spend the afternoon sunbathing, Robb decided to ratchet up the pace by suggesting that we have a race. I resolved not to let Robb have his way – he’s not the only one who can be competitive! I also thought it would be interesting to see how well our SUPs would perform during such an intense workout!
As it turns out, we all had a pretty good time when it came to controlling the boards. In part, this was down to the fact that our SUPs were buoyant on the water and reassuringly stable to ride. Straight-line tracking was decent – none of us felt we had to fight to stay on course, even when picking up speed.
Although he started off well, Robb failed to anticipate the fierce resistance Kim and I would put up. After battling for position in the first half, the rest of the race was mine! In your face, my dear husband!
Reflecting on our SUP boarding adventure
Sharing this day with you all has been a privilege. Robb and I feel so lucky to have a location like this on our doorstep, and to be able to introduce more of the world to this tranquil retreat has been a treat.
We’re all impressed by how well our Two Bare Feet paddleboards performed. They are perfectly suited to all types of rider: from experts to absolute beginners. Compared to the SUP boards we’ve had in the past, these have been more buoyant, stable and responsive. Kim found that she had an easy time working on her SUP boarding technique – her allrounder has given her a great foundation for future SUP excursions.
I’d encourage everyone to give paddleboarding a try. Once you’ve given it a go, you’ll understand why it’s one of the fastest growing water sports in the country. I’m already counting the days until the next time I can bring my board back to the reservoir!
And with that, it’s over! Thank you so much for following our progress. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have your company. Maybe we’ll see you on the water sometime!
