Paddleboarding – Fad or Fantastic?

Our British waters have been invaded.

Fleets of paddleboarders have taken to the lakes, rivers and seas in what, when one first witnesses it, appears to be quite an odd leisure activity. Standing up, on a surf board, with a giant canoe-paddle? Peculiar. So, is this new craze here to stay or is it to be yet another short-lived fad, as easily forgotten as it has seemingly managed to take over as the latest cool-kids’ water sport?

Last summer, a little hesitant as to whether this strange kind of boating was really worth the effort (wouldn’t I be happier sitting down in a kayak?), I inelegantly wobbled atop a rigid paddleboard for the first time. And it was brilliant!

With the beautiful Brownsea Island as my backdrop, I soon found my balance and glided atop placid waters in Poole Harbour on a gloriously warm and sunny evening with my cousin. It was surprisingly easy to get the hang of and steer – I even managed to negotiate the large wake of the Brittany Ferry as it went past, without falling in.

Amazingly stable, I was quickly able to stand up on the board without fear of falling in. Paddleboarding, I decided, would be the perfect mode of transport to leisurely explore a harbour or river with friends.

I paddled around until the sun set (saying a cheery hello to fellow paddleboarders as I went) before reluctantly heading back to shore. By that point I had decided that I must purchase a board immediately and I would use it all the time. I have to say that, regrettably, I am still yet to purchase one, which brings me to the pros and cons of paddleboarding…

It is obviously very easy to set up and also easy to use – without any training (beyond my cousin telling me which way round to hold the paddle!) I just hopped on and went. It’s also very sociable if your friends have got boards too, as you can calmly chat as you paddle around.
However, paddleboards are a big initial expense as well as being bulky and difficult to transport (I did recently product-test two inflatable paddleboards which I found much easier to carry around and transport, as well as being cheaper than rigid options – check out my review). If your friends haven’t got one, I imagine solo-paddling to be a little lonely – this final point is perhaps the main reason for me having yet to dip into my savings.

So, are paddleboards here to stay? I think that they are, particularly in sheltered areas such as Poole Harbour where several hire companies have set up shop along the wall. They are (generally) much cheaper to buy or hire than windsurfs or kiteboards (which are two other popular activities in Poole) and can be used when there is no wind at all. The inflatable options mean the sport is accessible to everyone as they are much easier to transport (no roof rack or van required) and we are all qualified to use them. Whether they will remain popular in traditionally surfing venues is hard to say – I think that the Cornish, for example, will generally remain a surfing crowd.

Either way, the next time you’re on the coast or by a river and you spot a paddleboarder, by all means have a giggle – it does look funny. But, when you’re finished, make sure you give it a go. I promise you, it’s a lot of fun.

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