Standing room only

THE WEATHER FORECAST is for a gentle nor’ easterly. In theory, the onshore breeze will flatten out the water at Cass Bay near Lyttelton and make for an easy morning for my first Stand Up Paddling (SUP) lesson.

The weather hadn’t heard the forecast, however and a nippy wee southerly was blowing bumpy little waves onto the beach. Not ideal conditions for learning SUP-ing, the world’s fastest growing sport, says James Bradshaw of Red Adventure Sports.

But what the hell … The sun’s shining, it’s a beautiful day in Canterbury and if Jennifer Aniston can paddleboard so can I.

The sport of paddle boarding has ancient origins in Hawaii but was revived some 50 years ago after surfing instructors in the islands would stand on their boards, to get a better look at their students, and to see what wave sets were forming in the distance.

“It can look intimidating but paddle boarding is really easy to learn and there’s a huge sense of accomplishment. Take it easy or be adventurous, it’s really up to you,” says Bradshaw who does both.

Pre-quake, before the estuary became polluted, he and a friend would head up the Avon River at a leisurely pace ending up at the Dux de Lux for lunch – but he’s also whitewater rafted on a board.

We’re going for ‘leisurely’ this morning and start on our knees paddling discordantly off into the breeze towards Quail Island.

“When you’re ready,” says Bradshaw, “jump up onto your feet, keeping in the middle of the board. Don’t look down, and use the paddle for balance.”

I’m no sooner up than I’m down again, splashing heavily into the water. “Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it soon,” he says, far too kindly and far too optimistically.

It’s supposed to be easier for women to stand up and balance because they have a lower centre of gravity. Hmmm, maybe not all of us. I spend a fair amount of time in the water.

But it’s not long before I’m up for relatively longer and longer periods. I’m re-discovering long forgotten muscles, which makes me understand why paddle boarding was this summer’s hottest fitness craze overseas. Turning our back to the wind and heading back to the shore my core, thighs and shoulders were all getting a workout.

 SUP-ing is a really hassle free sport says Bradshaw, “Take your stuff, throw it in the water and have fun.”

Bradshaw’s solved the problem of the 11ft (nearly 4m) boards and 6ft (2m) paddle with a range of inflatable boards, known as Red Air Paddleboards.

“They are the perfect travel accessory,” says Bradshaw because you just roll them up and chuck them in the car. When you find a good spot for a paddle, unroll and inflate them with the foot pump that comes with the kit.”

You can either buy your own or hire a board from Red Adventure Sports and head off to explore the waterways around New Zealand.

“There’s almost nowhere that a paddleboard can’t go,” says Bradshaw.

Learn to stand-up paddleboard in Christchurch with Horizons Unlimited. They offer 90-minute adult beginner lessons at Cass Bay for NZ$65 per person. Equipment (board, paddle, leash, PFD) is included.

*James Bradshaw has since been headhunted to become managing director of Red Paddle Australia and moved back to Perth, Australia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Kim Triegaardt

Kim Triegaardt is a journalist, corporate communications specialist and – as regularly as she can manage – travel writer. Kim’s professional career has taken her around the globe, but she calls the New Zealand city of Christchurch, in the South Island’s Canterbury Region, home. Kim is the founder of the corporate communications company Totally Write, which she continues to operate.

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