The dramatic coastline of the Isle of Man lends itself well for watersports, and Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) as it gets called is growing in popularity on the island as more and more people discover the sport. Michelle from Saltworks SUP tells us some more about this new paddlesport.
We have some fabulous locations around the island from sheltered sandy beaches to more adventurous coastal paddles around headlands covered with sea birds and even a few shipwrecks along the way. Venturing out onto the sea it’s amazing to be able to see our island from a different perspective with the silence allowing you to see seals, other marine life and amazing explosion of colour as you glide over various varieties of seaweed. If we are really luck we get the chance to have some close encounters with common seals, who seem especially keen to see us humans appearing to stand on the water. Seals can follow us from a distance and suddenly we can catch a shimmer in the water as we see them swimming beneath the board. It has even been known for them to try and hitch a ride too!
Stand up paddle boarding is a lifestyle that can really draw people in …imagine the feeling of being at one with nature as you paddle, just before sunset with Peel Castle in the background seals and sea birds all around.
The unique perspective that you get once you start feeling the water beneath your feet is a sense of adventure, freedom and camaraderie whether exploring new places or simply paddling out from the beach. It’s a great paddle sport and one which SUP enthusiasts naturally want to share with other people just one of the many reasons why it has grown on the Isle of Man .
As with all water sports we recommend getting a lesson from qualified instructors to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time on the water.
Saltworks SUP is an accredited SUP school with www.waterskillsacademy.com and offers everything from Discover SUP (beginners session) through to SUP Safaris and WSA ISUP SMART safety courses.
https://www.facebook.com/SaltworksSUP.paddleboarding/
https://www.saltworks-sup.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/saltworks-sup-paddleboarding/
Port Erin Paddleboards is a Stand Up Paddleboarding Centre on the south west coast of the Isle of Man.
Providing Private and Group Lessons, Eco-Adventure Tours, Board Rentals (seasonal), SUPYoga Classes, SUPHoop Classes and SUPFit Classes
https://www.facebook.com/PortErinPaddleboards
https://www.porterinpaddleboards.com/
https://www.instagram.com/porterinpaddleboards/
Photo credits: Saltworks SUP and Port Erin Paddleboards.
