Interview: Sarah Thornely of SUPjunkie. Photos: SUPjunkie, Dan Willmore, Andy Kettlewell/Pistyll Productions & Sarah Marshall I first met Dan at Paddlefest in 2018 when we had just launched SUPjunkie in one of my first interviews, I talked to him about aninspirational paddle he had just completed, raising money for Ashgrove School. Over the next few years, we got to know each other prettywell, both having a strong affiliation with the Water Skills Academy and, more recently, paddling together in Scotland. I thought it was time we had a chat!Hi Dan, can you tell us how you got into SUP and some of the highlights of your paddling journey?I started surfing quite late, in my mid-20s, which was my introduction to water sports outside of swimming. I was living in London and worked for the National Autistic Society.I remember thinking it would be incredible for the kids to try, as I had personally felt the benefits. I eventually moved abroad, living in the Alps and Cyprus for a couple of years, and spent much time on the hill or in the water. Eventually, we decided to settle in Wales.I started working at Ashgrove School, now Ysgol Y Deri (YYD) in Penarth, working with differently abled children, and because we were so close to the sea, I saw the opportunity to offer them a surf experience. This was how I started down the instructor route via ISA and SLSGB.I started SUP through a friend; like most people, it was something to do when it was flat. Again, I saw the opportunity to do something special for the kids at school and so set up more opportunities to get on the water. Over the years, working with the kids has been a life highlight, if I am honest.Through this desire to share the sport, I have had some amazing opportunities and experiences. Some of the highlights have been charity paddles. I paddled from The Mumbles, Swansea, to Cardiff in one go.I paddled unsupported the length of South Wales coastline (White Sands to Cardiff). Along with some other bits, we raised around 18,000 for the school to fund the water sports programme, which I am happy to say is still going.Becoming a WSA expedition guide was a huge highlight. I have been lucky enough to guide in the Western Highlands, see some incredible places, and work with some truly inspiring people.I believe I was among the first to paddle (on a SUP) the Nova Varos, Uvac Serbia, their national park. Last year, as part of a new trip for WSA, I went to Sweden to review a trip and had an incredible experience.Generally, whenever I get to paddle, I consider myself lucky. Its been a little tough to get out as much as I would like in the last couple of years, but I am working on changing that now.Do you do any other water sports?I recently started packrafting last year and have been lucky enough to have two friends, Jason and Marianne Taylor from Tirio, who are the two leading UK instructors as mentors. I was lucky enough to be invited on an expedition with Jason and some other friends, crossing Scotland last year, which was mind-blowing fun! I see this as a sport I would like to do much more of. It has huge potential for incredible adventures.I am also being led down the kayak pathway by the team at CIWW, so there are loads of opportunities for fun and learning. What is your favourite discipline of paddleboarding, and why?Thats a really difficult question. I suppose it depends on the time of year and conditions. I started SUP surfing and love it when I can get out. I am a bit fair weather these days and look for those perfect glassy days rather than going out in all conditions for eight-hour sessions.White water is a lot of fun. I have done a fair bit of guiding on expedition boards in terms of low-grade rapids as part of trips; however, I am getting into proper white water paddling, so watch this space. I have never been hugely outwardly competitive, so racing is something I have only dabbled with mixed results.I tend to gravitate towards adventure paddling. I love being out in new or familiar spaces. I would have to say this is my favourite part of SUP. Being out in nature and having that quiet interaction with the space around me.The most important thing is having fun so they will all take a top place at one point or another.Can you tell us more about your association with CIWW, both past and present?CIWW and Porthcawl Surf School were the first places to support YYDs water sports program. CIWW was one of the first places to offer SUP in the UK, so it was a great place to be as the sport was starting to grow. It was where I became an ASI instructor and eventually became part of the WSA in its early days. I started working as a freelance instructor and developed from there.I had other opportunities to train and deliver other activities during my time at the centre.Most recently, I have been back in a full-time capacity as a duty manager (DM) and leading SUP at the centre.How have things changed there since you were last at the centre, if at all?Like all centres, people come and go. I am still in touch with a few and still get to go and paddle with them now and then. The centre itself still offers a huge range of recreational and professional activities and training opportunities, of which I have had firsthand experience since taking on the DM role.What are your day-to-day duties in your new role?Its quite a varied role. There is the day-to-day stuff of running the centre: opening up, daily checks, staffing, etc. We will also still run sessions as it keeps us current, and getting out of the office is always nice. We offer lots of recreational qualifications and staff development training, which we will deliver as a DM team. CIWW is a Rescue 3 provider centre and delivers training to emergency services and other agencies working in and around swift water environments. Working here can vary from day to day.Have you had to brush up on specific skills/learn new skills for this new role?The last six months have been a huge learning curve for me. My first month here was spent completing the pathway to becoming a Rescue 3 SRT instructor. It was a great experience but physically tough going, but we had two great trainers, Mark and Chris. Its safe to say we were ruined come December!Other areas include learning the operational side of the flow rider and safety-critical areas in terms of equipment inspection. All in all, it was quite an intensive six months of training and assessment. Following the sad departure of the WSA, there will also be some time to move over to Paddle UK, but that will be an ongoing process.In terms of brushing up on skills, it has been a challenging couple of years with not a lot of opportunity to get out on the water. I am keen to dust off my skills, so I have been trying to paddle as much as I can.Can you also tell us the long-term plans for the white water centre and where it hopes to be in five years?The centre plans to continue delivering recreational and professional activities as it has always done to a high level.My personal goal for the centre is to make it the home of SUP in South Wales. I am keen to work with local clubs to develop grassroots paddling across the disciplines. I am also keen to offer more opportunities for training and adventure trips for paddlers looking to develop their skills and experience. Watch this space.What do you think the CIWW centre can bring to the wider audience in the UK and not just in Wales?Its a great place for all levels of paddlers to come and learn and play. For those looking to get into paddle sports, the centre is a good starting point. Its a safe, controlled environment, clean, and with access to the river, enclosed flat water, and the white water course. The staff are experienced and super enthusiastic andcan cater to all abilities. From here, people can build the confidence to explore other environments safely.Are there others at the centre that you would like to highlight for their various roles?We have an experienced team of instructors and trainers at CIWW. Matthew (Pod), Mark (Blinky), and Jon (JC) are all IRF trainer assessors and accomplished paddlers. We are a Rescue 3 training provider. The DM team is all trainers at different levels, so there is a wealth of knowledge to draw from.We know you have a regular group of paddleboarders at CIWW; what do you think the centre can offer stand-up paddleboarders, individually or as a club?The centre offers a safe, inclusive space for all paddlers to learn and enjoy the social aspects of paddling. Staff are always on hand to offer friendly advice, tricks, and tips.We have a water sports retailer on site (Get On The Water UK) that can offer demo kits for all types of water sports equipment (SUPs and kayaks), allowing customers to try out different equipment and get sound advice from experienced people.The centre has always championed opportunities to come and learn. We like to support our clubs in any way we can. In the past, we have supported free training with other organisations, and we plan to work with our local race club to try and get funding to support grassroots youth racing.Thank you, Dan! Having visited the CIWW centre many times, I can vouch for their professionalism and the fun they bring to SUP and other watersports. Please do visit them if you are in the area.Sarah PerkinsSarah Perkins helped set up a race training group at Cardiff International Whitewater here are her thoughts on the centre:A secret SUP training ground.As Cardiff SUP racers, we practically hit the jackpot with Cardiff International Whitewater (CIWW) on our doorstep. CIWW has been a game-changer since day one. When we first started training as a group, they surprised us by buying a fleet of six race boards talk about a supportive launch! The location is unbeatable. Need a quick after-work session? Grab a board and you can be on the water, paddling in minutes.

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85 LITRE ALL-ROUND WAVE BOARD TEST 202585 LITRE ALL-ROUND WAVE BOARD TEST 2025: WAVE MACHINESAfter getting their hands on a selection of the latest and greatest 85L wave sleds, our Test Team put them to the testTEST EDITOR: JAMES HARDY // SECOND TESTER: CAM COGHILL // PHOTOS: JAMES HARDY// LOCATIONS: BRACKLESHAM, HAYLING ISLAND & RHOSNEIGROVERVIEW The 85L wave board is an absolute staple in any wave sailors quiver, and for most of us it has been in hibernation through the summer months, so we are eager for the first autumn storms to hit our coastlines and deliver either wind blown waves, or even better, some proper groundswell for those readers lucky enough to be in prime position to score those.Board choice is always dictated by riding style, but also the conditions we are likely to encounter and also the conditions we are primarily attracted too. In a nutshell, its quite personal, even more so when it comes to wave boards as we choose to really express ourselves while riding. Each board of course has plenty of design and development, but if it doesnt click with the way you ride, then you arent going to develop that natural connection with the board its not that the board is necessarily bad. A board is much like a pair of shoes, in the sense that its very personal what I like, can and often is, completely different to what someone else likes. Imagine how boring it would be if we all liked the same thingTranslate this into wave boards and you have a whole host of personal preferences and combinations that we as individuals both want and dont want from an 85L wave board. Do you want speed? Do you want ultimate agility? Do you want complete and utter usability requiring minimal input from the rider? Or at the other end of the scale, do you desire a board that really needs rider input to perform?Its important to note that one board cant have it all especially as you look towards the performance end of the spectrum, which I would suggest we are in with the 85L wave board category. I think its very important we remember that when looking at the boards in the lineup, but also when we are talking to others at your local spot. No matter what the brand says, each board will have its strengths and weaknesses, so its about finding out not only what works for you, but also which board will best suite the conditions you are most likely to ride in.This years selection consisted of a strong lineup and there is something in here for everyone. What was great for myself is that being at the broader end of the scale in stature, the boards carried my stature nicely, thats partly due to them being between the 85L and 90L mark, but also because some the boards feature new shapes and design tweaks. Another noticeable development has been that a couple of the brands have reduced the weight of their boards by eye-catching margins. Without further ado, lets dive into the lineupKicking us off with its lightning pace and an innate ability to position you in the perfect place on demand is the Severne Pyro, which demands a committed attitude. From Starboard we have the Ultra, which based on looks is very wave-orientated in shape, while still offering plenty of comfort when riding. The Ultra is also happy to be ridden off either the front or back foot depending on the kind of wave you are riding. Meanwhile, ultimate usability comes with the Duotone Grip 4 SLS, as it merges performance and ease of use in a tidy package to suit mere mortal riders who like to push into cleaner, more punchy waves. Next up we have the Ultimate Wave from JP, which in its brand-new S-Tec construction is impressively light and loves to utilise the power of the wave to perform powerful and snappy turns. Our penultimate board is the Quatro Cube, which offers a wonderful blend of performance and ease of use, keeping you locked into the wave and the manoeuvres you choose to perform. Finally, the Goya Custom Quad 8 displays ultimate riding agility thanks to its significantly reduced weight, while some subtle design tweaks mean it carries rider weight easily too even when underpowered.THE LINEUP Duotone Grip 4 SLS 87L Goya Custom Quad 8 Pro Carbon 88L JP Australia Ultimate Wave S-Tec 87L Quatro Cube 6 86L Severne Pyro 87L Starboard Ultra Carbon Reflex 86LThe post 85 LITRE ALL-ROUND WAVE BOARD TEST 2025 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

Join Ethan Huff as he guides you through an indoor SUP workout to enhance your paddle stroke! This session focuses on building strength, improving posture, and perfecting the full range of motion for a powerful, efficient [&hellip... Read More

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DUOTONE GRIP 4 SLS 87L: 2025 TEST REVIEWDUOTONE GRIP 4 SLS 87L: 2025 TEST REVIEWThe VerdictThe Duotone Grip 4 SLS offers supportive performance and as such it will assist the rider to provide a forgiving ride, while still allowing you to rip as hard as you desire. The Grip 4SLS favours cleaner conditions with some power behind it, both from the wave and the rig, but it still offers high performance on a slightly messier face.The LowdownThe Grip 4 SLS comes in a brushed mustard yellow with flash of pinkie red at the tail, so while it isnt in your face, it doesnt go under the radar either. On its underside, a deep purple with DUOTONE running up the centreline will light up the wave and grab any onlookers attention. (Please note it was tested here with the 2024 graphics, but the shape remains unaltered, as the new seasons boards werent available at the time of testing). Looking over some key features of the Grip 4 SLS, the footpads are thick due to the Pro Pads, which will support and cushion the rider. Meanwhile, a mini-mast track reduces the user error aspect when placing the mastfoot, while the deck isnt aggressively domed, which will make it feel more balanced and supportive to the rider which is a big hint that the Grip 4 SLS possesses a decent chunk of user-friendliness. Rolling the Grip 4 SLS over only reinforces its plug n play nature as its two mini side slot boxes dont offer any adjustments meaning any tweaking to suit the riders style is done by adjusting the two centre fins instead. Lastly, the hull shape balances performance, manoeuvrability and control with its progressive Vee Double Concave to Vee hull shape. Everything about the Grip 4 SLS screams user-friendly performance in a neat package.Brand ClaimDo you want to rip and fly like a pro at your home spot and wherever you travel? Well then, youve come to the right place, because we design all of our products to work in as many different conditions as possible. Performance Instantly comfortable underfoot, the deck shape of the Grip 4 SLS feels natural. When off the plane, it holds the riders weight well, forgiving a slightly over-eager or sloppy back foot. Getting the Grip 4 SLS moving is smooth; its easy to direct and promotes planing effortlessly as it simply slips onto the plane. With the Grip 4 SLS, its almost like having two gears; first gear provides a comfortable speed for positioning yourself in the straps, while allowing you to maintain a steady pace, avoid trouble, or navigate the break efficiently. Meanwhile, second gear is all about full acceleration, which is easily accessed with a bit of extra grunt from the rig or input from the rider. The upwind angles of the Grip SLS 4 are immediately noticeable with the board holding its quick, accessible pace, even when sailing close to the wind. The Grip 4 SLS handles chop well with the nose avoiding any unwanted bumps, which prevents any inconvenient spray from obscuring your view, allowing you to stay focused on what lies ahead. In steeper chop, the ride can feel a little harsh, but its thick pads help cushion the impact. When settling onto the crest of a wave, the two gears of the Grip 4 SLS really shine, letting you downshift to match the waves pace, or instantly kick back up as you glide down the face, delivering an incredibly smooth, locked-in, and controlled bottom turn. The Grip 4 SLS supports the riders choice of commitment whether you want to fully engage or take your foot off the gas a little. It performs best with power supplied to it by faster waves, but it is also adaptable to the waves characteristics, no matter whether youre sharpening up for radical, progressive lip hits and top turns or taking a more fluid approach. The Grip SLS 4s accessible performance is second nature, lending itself to faster waves with a cleaner face, while still holding its own in less-than-perfect down-the-line conditions.WEBSITE:www.duotonesports.comDUOTONE GRIP 4 SLS 87L: 2025 TEST REVIEWVITAL STATS Price: 2299Volume (Quoted): 87LLength: 225cmWidth: 58.5cmBottom Shape: Vee Double Concave to VeeWeight: 6.3kg (Naked) 7.1kg (Straps & Fins)Fin: Quad x2 Quad 15cm & x2 Quad Side 9cmSail Range (Quoted): Max Sail Size 5.7mSizes Available: 69, 76, 81, 87, 93, 99, 107OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TESTGoya Custom Quad 8 Pro Carbon 88L JP Australia Ultimate Wave S-Tec 87L Quatro Cube 6 86LSeverne Pyro 87L Starboard Ultra Carbon Reflex 86LBACK TO TEST OVERVIEWThe post DUOTONE GRIP 4 SLS 87L: 2025 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

ntroducing Indianas Magic Pump Foil Board 83 crafted with advanced PMI Foam Technology for a lightweight and rigid build. Weighing just 1.85kg, its the lightest production pumpfoil board on the market! Only at the Paddle [&hellip... Read More