WhatSUP Cape Town
WhatSUP Cape Town? SUPping that’s what!
What on earth is SUPping you may ask? Well, I asked that question too. SUP stands for Stand Up Paddleboarding. Far easier than surfing and a great way to ease me into watersports.
At the recommendation of my uber-fit friend, Willie Richards, I paid a visit to SUP Cape Town located in Battery Park, V&A Waterfront.
I met one of the co-owners Rory who gave me some insight into SUP Cape Town, which has been running for the last decade by himself and co-owner Guy.
On the water
At first, I was terrified of losing my balance and falling into the water. Thanks to the guys at Sup Cape Town they helped me pick out the most suitable board for a newbie like me.
After a quick briefing and instructional by Richard, I was released into the wild and left to my own devices for an hour.
How to choose the correct SUP
A few things to consider when choosing a suitable SUP:
1. INTENDED USE OF SUP – Riding waves, racing, touring, yoga or
simply for fun (like me)
2. WEIGHT/HEIGHT – this determines the size (length & width) of
the SUP that’s best suited for you
3. SKILL LEVEL – for
beginners a bigger SUP that’s more stable is ideal
4. CONSTRUCTION – What the SUP is made out of: wood, fiberglass,
carbon or inflatable
SUP sizing – although there are different shapes and constructions of SUPs, they are all measured in terms of Length (feet), width (inches), thickness (inches) and volume (litres). These dimensions all play a role in the stability, glide, maneuverability, and speed on the water and the weight that they can carry.
Click here for a full guide to buying a stand-up paddleboard.
Scenic Splashes
The route is approximately 3 kms long and runs from battery park to the One and Only hotel cape town and back past the City Lodge at the V&A Waterfront. The water in the canals is pumped in fresh from the ocean, so no nasty surprises should you take a dip…which is exactly what happened to me. I like to think of it as a newbie whatSUP Cape Town baptism.
SUPpers (if I may call them that) are a friendly bunch and I felt at ease on the water.
In my mission to #GetOutThere more, my fitness level is not the highest, so the great thing about this sport is that it doesn’t matter how unfit you are. It is a low impact sport that doesn’t hurt your joints, but fully activating your core, arms, and legs which is great for a full-body workout. PLUS, you’ll sleep like a baby…I guarantee that!
I highly recommend the team over at SUP Cape Town if you’re keen on getting your feet wet with this awesome sport.
Here’s where you can find them:
Address: Battery Park, V&A Waterfront, cape town
Tel: 071 603 8388
Email: su*********@gm***.com
Website: https://supcapetown.co.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SUP.Cape.Town/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SUPcapetown
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supcapetown/
Operating Hours:
Winter Months
April to September: 09:00 – 17:00
Summer Months
October to March: 08:00 – 18:00
Tuesdays and Thursdays, they’re open till 7pm as they do time trials for the avid SUP-venturer
Rentals: you can rent out boards per hour or for the day, they even offer corporate team building and parties
With Thanks
Big thanks to Rory, Guy, Richard, and Michael (for the photos and video) for allowing me to experience this great sport!
Big shout out to Single Track for kitting me out with this FAB ladies Tee and buff:
Shirt: R270
Buff: R120
Both available for purchase as well as trucker caps at SUP Cape town store.
So go on and push pause on that gym membership and #GetOutThere
*Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post
