Newcastle Standup Paddlesurfing (SUP)

Why are surfers of all types picking up a paddle, and how are they using their superior paddling power wisely?

North Belmont surfer Simon Dodd, has just returned from ascending the 'Mt Everest' in his chosen sport, the 52km Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race, a gruelling long distance event through the Molokai Channel.

"It's regarded as the unofficial world titles in the paddling world," says Dodd.

"It's a very gruelling race and very challenging, and I was stoked that I finished it."

Part of his training regime includes long distance paddles in the open water between Newcastle and Swansea, as well as 'flat water paddles in strong currents, to mirror what I was going to experience in the channel'.

"If there's a strong north-east wind, I'll do a paddle from Newcastle down to Redhead, or down to Swansea, and actually surf the swells down," Dodd says.

"I've grown up around the water all my life and found that I've had multiple toys to play with, but I've found that stand up paddle surfing covers all those bases.

"It covers all disciplines."

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Standup Paddlesurfing
• SUP
• Simon Dodd
• Newcastle
• Mark Richards