You may think paddleboarding is a modern leisure activity, and the last five years has undoubtedly seen an explosion in people using them here in the UK. But far from being a leisure activity, its origins lie three thousand years ago when Polynesians stood on planks of wood to travel between islands. In 1940 paddleboarding took on a modern look when older surfers in Hawaii looked to their ancestors and started to stand on their surfboards, using a paddle to propel them and steer. Bluefin SUP has brought paddleboarding to the height of modern technology, and I am testing one of their latest models, the Aura Fit.
Using the Aura Fit model Stand Up Paddleboard for the first time, I had the song of my childhood ringing in my ears. When the weather is fine, it is surely a sign of messing around on the river. Before I continue, I will say Don't Try This At Home, meaning, please don't take me literally and mess around near any water. Please have fun but stay safe and wear the correct kit for the conditions.
I couldn't wait to pump the Aura Fit SUP up and get out on the sea, as the weather has indeed been fine, with a lack of wind. Ideal sea conditions for a novice like me to start paddling. The Aura Fit came as a complete kit from BluefinSup, containing the deflated board, specialist pump, guidance fins to secure the board and the foot leash. The leash attaches the paddleboard to your leg, so if or should I say when you fall in the water, your paddleboard remains close to you and doesn't float off. The added safety here is that you have the paddleboard to hand to lie across and rest before you climb back on. This action can be difficult when at sea.
The Aura Fit is 10" 8' in length and, as Bluefin suggest, ideal for beginners and those wanting to do yoga. Yes, there is now a trend to perform yoga while floating on a paddleboard as it increases the need for great posture and core muscle strength. However, I want to stand up on it, let alone perform a downward dog or growing tree.
I took all the equipment in the carry bag that comes with the beginners kit down to the beach. I made sure I had the instructions in the bag because, like most men, I will launch straight into setting something up then realise I have done something wrong. You won't want that to happen when you have children desperate to use the board. Or, in my case, two teenage nephews.
