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Author: andy mcconkey

Elementor #698014

Before storing, please rinse all equipment in fresh water and let it dry completely.  Also, even if not storing, please ensure you wash your board if moving from one waterbody to another to prevent the risk of transfer of invasive species. To pack away, lay the deflated board deck-up and place the pump across the […]

Paddleboard press release – Coast to Coast paddle adventure

Paddleboard professionals Chuck and Ant set to paddle 160 miles from Liverpool to Goole in just 5 days carrying all their own gear, starting on New Year’s Day to raise £5k for better mental health. Coast to Coast paddleboard adventure details Photo opportunity: Challenge launch at Bootle with Chuck and Ant, their boards and all […]

Water quality : time for change

WhatSUP Northants paddleboarding

On 12 March 2025, the Government yesterday issued a press release following a consultation on changes to bathing water regulations. In amazing news for our watersports family, the press release said: “As part of this first shake-up to our bathing waters since 2013, the government is developing plans to expand the definition of ‘bathers’ to […]

What makes a good paddleboarding mentor?

What makes a good paddleboarding mentor

Today, 17th January 2025, is International Mentoring Day. So we thought, what better day to ask ‘what makes a good paddleboarding mentor?’ Paddleboarding skills – a mentor can help significantly. Having a paddleboarding mentor can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you’re new to the sport or looking to improve your skills. Here are some reasons […]

What makes McConks paddleboards such great value?

What makes McConks paddleboards such great value

McConks paddleboards are renowned for their exceptional value and quality, making them a top choice for adventure paddleboarding enthusiasts. Here are several reasons why McConks paddleboards are considered such good value: These factors collectively contribute to McConks paddlboards reputation for producing some of the best value adventure paddleboards on the market. Our commitment to quality, […]

Summer sunshine SUP – high season paddling has finally arrived 100%!

Summer sunshine SUP high season paddling has finally arrived 100

Summer sunshine SUP seems to have finally arrived in the UK this week. At time of writing (June 28, 2024) there’s generally been good SUP conditions in lots of areas. Granted, this isn’t blanket wide. But we’ll take it. McConks summer SUP gear. With better weather in mind now’s time to grab yourself some awesome […]

Paddle boarding initiatives 2024 – awesome things McConks are doing this year.

Paddle boarding initiatives 2024 awesome things McConks are doing this year

Paddle boarding initiatives are things McConks believe wholeheartedly in. Whilst we’re a paddle boarding brand, selling equipment (along with outdoor adventure gear) we’re also keen to give back. Every year we try to raise our game in terms of making McConks McConks more sustainable. Or supporting charities and organisations making a difference. Here are some […]

SUP Lass Paddle Adventures Amazon SUP Challenge 2024.

SUP Lass Paddle Adventures Amazon SUP Challenge 2024. 1

SUP Lass Paddle Adventures – aka Caz Dawson – along with Jonathan Gill and Matthew Phillips will be paddling a 330km route along the Amazon River. The Amazon SUP Challenge 2024 takes place between 2nd-10th June 2024 and McConks has been chosen as the team’s board sponsor. Engagement with local communities via SUP. The aim […]

Outdoor adventure locations – 7 fab UK spots for awesome fun.

Outdoor adventure locations 7 fab UK spots for awesome fun

Outdoor adventure locations in the UK are wide and varied. Whatever outdoor adventure type you’re looking for there’s an area that’ll tick all the boxes. In all instances, some of these locations offer the potential of ticking off multiple outdoor adventures. But where to head? Here we listed 7 fab UK spots you’ll find awesome […]

Paddle boarding – looking for inspirational places to paddle in Wales?

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Paddle boarding in Wales is something we love. The very lovely Lisa and Charlie Drewe have spent years exploring every last nook and cove of Wales to put together this inspirational top 100 list of places to paddle board in Wales. Paddle boarding chat and coffee was the order of the day when we met […]

Outdoor adventure combos – 5 fun ways to combine your favourite activities.

Outdoor adventure combos 5 fun ways to combine your favourite activities

Outdoor adventure can be found anywhere – we promote this a lot. But outdoor adventure isn’t just limited to one thing. Sure, you can focus on a specific discipline for the window of opportunity you have. What may be more rewarding, however, is combining two (or more) of the passions you have. Combining activities can […]

Paddle board stock level check – McConks paddle boarding kit.

How to check what paddle board products McConks have in stock If you want to see what paddle board products are in stock, what’s on preorder, and what’s out of stock, or not being replenished, this table will help you. If it shows a number in the last column, that tells you how many we […]

Summer outdoor adventures – 7 marvellous escapes to discover.

Summer outdoor adventures 7 marvellous escapes to discover

Summer outdoor adventures are what all lovers of nature and the wilds yearn for. As an outdoor type, you’ll hate being cooped up when Mother Nature’s not playing ball. But summertime is different. There’s more chance to get out and ‘play’ with your family and friends. Here are 7 summer escapes to consider this high […]

BIGGER outdoor adventures – 7 fabulous experiences to enjoy with family and friends.

BIGGER-outdoor-adventures-7-fabulous-experiences-to-enjoy-with-family-and-friends.-1

BIGGER outdoor adventures don’t mean scaling the summit of Mount Everest or freediving the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench. Everything being discussed in this article is still accessible. For friends and family to enjoy. These suggestions are just a few of what you could enjoy as longer excursions. There are plenty more. A word on BIGGER […]

World Water Day 2024.

World Water Day 2024

World Water Day 2024 will take place on March 22. An annual celebration of clean water the observance day highlights the importance of fresh water. In the times we live, with water quality in the headlines, World Water Day is especially key. World Water Day 2024 theme. Each year World Water Day has a theme. […]

McConks change robes – new in and minus the hefty price tag!

McConks change robes new in and minus the hefty price tag 1

McConks change robes have perhaps been a long time coming. We’ve dabbled in the past, even going so far as to test a bunch of prototypes. There are even a limited number of older McConks change robes being used at present. But this is the first time we’ve gone the whole hog and introduced change […]

SUP instructor / paddleboard coach – how do I find my nearest one?

supHUBUK 1

SUP instructor or paddleboard coach lessons are super valuable. getting a lesson can fast track your learning and help you glean essential info much quicker. But where to get a lesson or lessons? Where to go for SUP instructor coaching and paddleboard lessons? SUP instructor lessons are the best route – especially if you’re new […]

Outdoor adventure equipment essentials for 5 microadventures.

Outdoor adventure equipment essentials for 5 microadventures

Outdoor adventure equipment comes in many different forms. Here at McConks we very much err toward the accessible end of the spectrum. As such we’re not talking about scaling glacial mountains and running huge volume white water rivers. McConks is a family company. And as a family, we prefer those microadventures. The ones which are […]

Not another Black Friday post

We dont do black friday but

Seriously, this isn’t actually another Black Friday post. But we do want to tell you how you can: 1. Save hundreds of pounds on a brand new top of the range paddleboard (and get a new paddleboard package worth over £600 at the start of the year for as little as £350) 2. Get a […]

McConks One Way road trip x Barry Hughes paddlesports

Inflatable paddle boards - so what really is the best technology?

Lots of paddleboard manufacturers say that safety is in their DNA. Or that safety is at the heart of what they do. Most of them say it just to sell you a paddleboard from our experience. Outside of a few brands there’s very little evidence that they actually mean it. Very few of them do […]

SUP4 x McConks – the one way of life road trip

SUP4 x McConks the one way of life road trip

SUP4 x McConks – the one way of life road trip. A few months back, we sent some of our friends on a road trip to some of our partners and friends, to shoot some content and have some fun. SUP4 x McConks – partners we buy into. We chose people and companies who are […]

Planning a Thrilling Multi-Day Whitewater Paddleboarding Adventure

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Planning a Multi-Day Whitewater Paddleboarding Trip intro. Embarking on a multi-day whitewater paddleboarding trip is an exciting adventure that allows you to immerse yourself in nature while challenging your paddling skills. Proper planning is essential. Proper planning, experience, gear, and support are crucial for a successful and enjoyable trip. In this article, we will explore […]

McConks Grand Tourer (GT) 2024 – the ultimate touring board

McConks Grand Tourer and other paddle boards in the 2024 lineup are getting us buzzing. We’re beyond excited about our new range of touring boards for 2024. McConks is all change fo this season! We’ve known we were going to be totally revising our inflatable range in 2024 for a couple of years now, so […]

Paddle board maximum inflation pressure for McConks paddle boards – IMPORTANT

McConks paddleboards | Made for Adventure | Built to last

Paddle board maximum inflation pressure needs to be a certain PSI. We’ve been contacted by a number of customers who have noticed that some brands have been reducing their maximum pressure guarantee, and have been asking if we’re going to be doing the same. Paddle board definites! We can confidently state that we WILL NOT […]

Inflatable paddle boards – so what really is the best technology?

McConks paddleboards | Made for Adventure | Built to last

Inflatable paddle boards are often touted as being the best by many brands. We’ve heard and seen a lot as McConks. We’ve been around since 2015, and have seen technology change massively in that period – always for the better. And the biggest change has been the development of woven drop stitch, making premium quality […]

SUP in France – 6 awesome Alpine lakes to paddle this winter.

McConks international bitesize paddle board guides Lac de Maine Angers Loire France. 1

SUP in France doesn’t mean just heading there in summer. And going to the Alps to ski is so mainstream. So why not go there to paddleboard instead? There are between 3,000 and 4,000 lakes in the Alps, and many of them don’t freeze over in winter, meaning that hardy paddleboarders can hit the water […]

SUP in France – 5 iconic French attractions better from the water 

SUP on the sea – how do I become a coastal paddler? #3

SUP in France for the best views of all those iconic attractions. France has a coastline spanning almost 6,000 kilometres, 80 navigable rivers and streams, and close to 400 lakes. We’re not exaggerating when we say the best views in l’Hexagone are from the water. Ditch the car and SUP in France instead! France may […]

Paddleboard adventures in 2023 that you won’t want to miss!

2023 paddleboard adventures you don't want to miss

Paddleboard adventures in 2023 are abundant. But what if don’t know where to start looking? Paddleboard adventures in 2023 start here. All of our partners are experienced and well qualified instructors and coaches with years of water time. Not only will they keep you safe, they also know their locations inside out – so they […]

Gong hei fat choy – Year of the rabbit

Celebrate year of the rabbit with a surfing rabbit

Gong hei fat choy! Happy Chinese New Year to all of our Chinese friends and partners, and we hope you’re enjoying your long winter holiday this year. 2023 is the year of the water rabbit, ending on 9th February 2024, and the rabbit is a sign of peace, longevity and hope. And according to Chinese […]

Inflatable paddle boards – how do I choose the best 1 for me?

McConks board selector reviews

Inflatable paddle boards and choosing teh right one can be tricky. There are LOTS of iSUPS in the marketplace. When we first had the idea of a web app questionnaire to simplify the complex issue of picking the best inflatable paddle board, we thought it was going to be easy. Oh how wrong we were! […]

“If I started a new paddleboard school now, every board would be McConks”

McConks reviews

Paddleboard schools carrying only McConks SUPs? As flattering as it is to hear this, and to hear this as regularly as we do, it’s also a little frustrating. Paddleboard compliments like this are great. Yes, we know we shouldn’t be frustrated, because compliments like this mean that we’re clearly doing what we set out to […]

Paddle Up Argyll giveaway | Start the new year with a splash

Start the new year with a splash! At McConks, we’re teaming up with our friends at Argyll Holidays and Wild about Argyll to give ONE luck winner the chance to unlock their freedom with this ultimate paddleboard package worth over £1200! The competition will run from January 16th to February 17th 2023, and to be in with a […]

McConks on the box – paddle boarding in Skye.

Rhonas Walk AshaigBeach

McConks on the box (TV)! Well that was a pleasant surprise. We didn’t know this had even been filmed, but it was fantastic to see our paddle boards being used in a BBC programme – BBC2’s Take a Hike. McConks converts. And we’re now converted to this programme as well – we’ll be going back […]

We don’t do Black Friday, but…

Black friday

…it’s tough this year isn’t it? But we do have some great initiatives, changes and offers to share if you read on. What’s going on with 2022 eh? Interest rates going up, energy bills through the roof, food price inflation higher than it has been for decades, and all this while pay rises are in […]

Wing skating – learning to one wheel wing with James Dunstone.

Wing skating learning with James Dunstone

Wing skating is something we’ve talked about for a while. If you follow McConks on Instagram you may have seen a post we published a while back showing James Dunstone getting used to the McConks Go Fly wing on land. For anyone looking to learn the ways of the wing this is the best course […]

McConks SUP boards to make the most of winter paddling.

McConks SUP boards to make the most of winter paddling.

McConks SUP boards to make the most of winter paddling. It’s coming! You know it is… Winter isn’t too far away. Before long those brown leaves will have been shed, air and water temperatures will have dropped with frosts making themselves known. Although we can’t halt winter there’ll be plenty of warmer days – relative to […]

Skatewheel one wheel style – taking it to the land.

Taking it to the land Skatewheel one wheel style.

Skatewheel one wheel electric skateboards offer a unique riding experience. A cross between Marty McFly style futuristic hoverboarding and the same feeling you get when foiling on water, It’s addictive, fun and child’s play. We’re serious! Within a short space of time most adults will be able to pilot the McConks SW without issue. T3 […]

October eFoiling – meditation circles in the sun.

Meditation circles in the sun.

October can be a fantastic month for weather in the UK (if we’re lucky). Whilst it’s certainly autumn – with much cooler mornings, chilly evenings and the potential for wet and windy weather – there can often be a respite. We talk about the weather a lot at McConks. Mainly to give you guys a […]

October half term essential kiddy watersports & adventure ‘toys’.

October half term essential kiddy watersports adventure toys.

Any parent knows that keeping their kids amused during school holidays is a must. It can be a tricky time of year with the weather. But there’s often still an incentive to get outdoors and enjoy the elements (the bribe of ice cream being a good one!). Whether wind or calm being afloat is great […]

Summer’s done: time to hang your SUP up, right?

Summers done time to hang your SUP up right

Pics: Chris Jones. At time of writing the UK is experiencing some late summer heat. With air temperature high, wind levels low and waters still relatively warm it’s certainly still possible to paddle in summer gear. For some, this’ll be all the sweeter with schools back and the majority working again – quiet beaches and […]

McConks international bitesize SUP travel guides: Lac de Maine, Angers, Loire, France.

McConks international bitesize paddle board guides Lac de Maine Angers Loire France.

McConks international bitesize SUP travel guides: Lac de Maine, Angers, Loire, France. Location: Lac de Maine, Angers, Loire, France. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lac+de+Maine,+Angers,+France/@47.4604227,-0.6167934,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x48087f69aa102bcd:0xe1fa7a641fe8eb20!8m2!3d47.4646563!4d-0.5962963!16s%2Fg%2F11h1sx6rj?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Spot type: Sheltered, placid, city located lake fed by the Loire River. No tide but occasionally windy Lac de Maine is Angers’ watersports and outdoor activities focal point for those living close by. Conditions: Lac […]

McConks awesomeness SUP pics – summer sizzler edition.

McConks awesomeness SUP pics summer sizzler edition.

It’s no secret the UK’s weather has been sizzling hot of late. And we’ve been bang on keeping you up to date with heads up pots regarding conditions and how that could potentially affect your paddling. Everyone loves a bit of fair weather for SUP. Granted some days recently may have been too warm. But […]

McConks awesome SUP partner salute #6 the Rapid Skills crew.

McConks awesome SUP partner salute 6 the Rapid Skills crew.

Team Rapid Skills is made up of Joshua Telling, Tom Botterill and Holly Marshall. They’ve been an awesome McConks SUP partner for a while. Specialising in multiple paddle sports the group not only coaches paddle boarding they’re also dabbing hands at kayaking and, in fact, if it’s paddle sports we’re talking Rapid Skills are most […]

McConks awesome SUP partner salute #5 Fenwick Ridley.

McConks awesome SUP partner salute 5 Fenwick Ridley.

One of our favourite wild swimming, paddle boarding and outdoor adventure chaps Fenwick Ridley is next up in our McConks awesome SUP partner series. Not only is Fenwick an avid wild swimmer – utilising spots around his Northumberland home – he’s a super keen bean paddle boarder who puts his skills to good use. Helping […]

Win Gumbies flip flops & a McConks paddleboard

Gumbies x McConks competition

We’ve partnered with @gumbiesuk to give away the ultimate adventure accessories! Enter below to be in with a chance of winning a McConks Paddleboard, 2 pairs of Gumbies Flip-Flops & all other essentials to get you going in the water ?‍♂️ Bundle includes ? ?Paddleboard, Bag, Leash, Quick Release Waist Belt, Paddle & Pump.It’s time to get […]

McConks stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides: Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

McConks stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides Marloes Sands Pembrokeshire Wales.

McConks stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides: Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Location: Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire, Wales Spot type: Open water, tidal, rocky and remote west facing beach break that almost disappears at high tide leaving only reef. Conditions: Being open to the Atlantic Marloes Sands picks up plenty of surfable juice. And at low […]

McConks’ stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides: Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

McConks stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides Manorbier Pembrokeshire Wales.

McConks’ stand up paddle boarding bitesize travel guides: Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Location: Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Spot type: Open water, tidal location that whilst often flat in summer gets a fairly hefty wave on the right swell. More cove like than true open beach there’s a significant reef to the right that you’ll appreciate or not. […]

Soundtrack to our lives | There’s only one way of life

Back in the winter, we spoke to the legends that are The Levellers about using the track ‘There’s only one way of life’ as the backing track to a video we had in mind, promoting the fun and happy side of paddelboarding. We were so sick of seeing the same old paddleboard videos – pretty, […]

Enter our charity competition to win a paddleboard package

McConks spring raffle

Enter our raffle to win some great prizes. PRIZES FIRST PRIZE (one): McConks Go Anywhere 11’4i inflatable paddleboard package with everything you need to get on the water including premium quality board, premium quality wheeled rucksack, double action pump, leash and quick release waist belt, Restube buoyancy aid, and carbon three piece paddle SECOND PRIZE (one): McConks explorer […]

McConks Onewheel review

McConks Onewheel video review – easy to ride and good for your mental health Tom Craven asked to borrow one of our skatewheels a few weeks back. He’s a videographer and wanted to produce some content, and fancied having a go on one of our trotter self balancing skatewheels – our equivalent to the US […]

SUP surfing commitment – staying stoked on wave riding.

SUP surfing commitment – staying stoked on wave riding.

SUP surfing isn’t an easy sport. As with prone surfing there’s much to learn and gain experience with. Yet it’s definitely one of the most fulfilling areas of stand up paddle boarding – if you commit! Whatever your level, be that beginner, intermediate, advanced or pro, commitment is key. Learning SUP surfing’s fundamentals, progressing important […]

What’s new for ’22 at McConks?

Whats new for 22 at McConks

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes over the autumn and winter in our desire to always be improving and innovating. And, of course, when it’s quiet is the best time to be working on website and shop improvements and innovations, because we inevitably break something as we try to improve it! So what’s new […]

McConks Director Andy interviewed at Parliamentary paddleboard safety event.

mcconks at the palace

On 8 March 2022, McConks Chief Exec Andy McConkey attended Westminster to take part in a stand up paddle board (SUP) safety event. MP for Cheltenham, Alex Chalk, QC hosted the event as one of his constituents, Simon Flynn, sadly died whilst on holiday in Cornwall in August 2020 after the paddleboard ankle leash he was […]

International SUP backyards: the Greek Ionian region.

International SUP backyards the Greek Ionian region.

SUP backyards takes in the Ionian region of Greece for this instalment. Sitting west of the Greek mainland the whole Ionian Sea area is vast. It’s been a yachting haven for years, with many a flotilla holiday taking place here. With reliable afternoon winds, calm mornings and hot, sunny summers it’s no wonder this has […]

Time, for learning something new with SUP?

Time, for learning something new with SUP

From the title of this post you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re going to be promoting the fact you should be learning new SUP skills and ways of being with the paddle. When actually what this article is about is indeed how tricky it can be learning something new. Especially when you’re perhaps lacking in […]

McConks SUP travel guides: Ammoudia, Acheron Delta, Epirus, Greece.

McConks’ bitesize international SUP travel guides Ammoudia, Acheron Delta, Epirus, Greece.

McConks SUP travel guides: Ammoudia, Acheron Delta, Epirus, Greece. Location: Ammoudia, Acheron Delta, Epirus, Greece. https://www.google.com/maps?sca_esv=cc6d6b10f485ae1c&output=search&q=Ammoudia&source=lnms&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J5fCQuDw5vrzPt_cVO2GgWUj9lYp6rkuKNKs7T0vX7Q8Lk7PDqB_d8U_Xw31dTwojMPtSpfZp5BfTfcp_LRXNnvS3YL7q5dzlH4CL6wFMTUQAE8nSeYVIZCFcgfp59RZvATV1xjGTLeD8itoihovDp2a-rqX&entry=mc&ved=1t:200715&ictx=111 Spot type: Partially sheltered (in the bay), open water Mediterranean location occupying part of the Northern Ionian Sea. Conditions: Within Ammoudia’s Bay you have partially sheltered flat to moderately choppy water stand up paddle boarding. In summer Greece’s Meltemi […]

McConks SUP travel guides: Dahab, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

McConks SUP travel guides: Dahab, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Location: Dahab, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dahab,+South+Sinai+Governorate,+Egypt/@28.4955963,34.4592265,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x15ab4b29bfad585f:0xac65238d793319bf!8m2!3d28.5091355!4d34.5136344?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Spot type: Semi-sheltered, open water, Red Sea destination. Conditions: Dahab occupies a south facing location that sits in the lee of the Red Sea’s prevailing wind, blowing from the north. A shallow area in front of the main beach gives downwind […]

McConks SUP travel guides: Airone, Sibari, Calabria, Italy.

McConks’ bitesize international SUP travel guides Airone, Sibari, Calabria, Italy.

McConks SUP travel guides: Airone, Sibari, Calabria, Italy. Location: Airone, Sibari, Calabria, Italy. https://www.google.com/maps/place/87011+Sibari,+Province+of+Cosenza,+Italy/@39.7609171,16.4602862,6067m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x133f60c5229ac681:0x9e76a84a2e84fdae!8m2!3d39.7478528!4d16.4532199?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Spot type: Open water, Mediterranean locations exposed to the Mistral wind when it blows. Some chop later in the day (summer) but often flat and calm during the morning. Lots of sand and perfect for families. Conditions: In summer Airone mornings […]

Thinking of starting a SUP business in 2022? Here’s the McConks take.

Thinking of starting a SUP business in 2022? Here's the McConks take.

SUP’s recent boom time has seen a resurgence of interest in stand up paddle boarding as a viable business opportunity. More specifically starting a SUP brand. And even more granular: starting a SUP brand dedicated to inflatable stand up paddle boards. It’s not hard to see why iSUPs, from a business point of view, make […]

SUP fundamentals: paddles and paddling.

SUP defining areas: paddles and paddling.

SUP paddles and paddling define what stand up paddle boarding is. Yet the amount of new recruits that miss this is significant. It’s not hard to understand why. Of all stand up paddling’s component parts it’s boards which are biggest and so stand out most. Even after carefully perusing all potential gear conversations invariably to […]

McConks awesomeness pics (and vids) – eFoil edition.

McConks awesomeness pics (and vids) - eFoil edition.

eFoils are some of the most fun, powered craft on the water. And from a foiling point of view eFoil boards are the easiest to get to grips with. In a small amount of time riders will be up and flying. The handheld throttle control ensures power, speed and momentum are on tap. And it’s […]

McConks awesomeness SUP pics – Instagram edition.

McConks awesomeness SUP pics - Instagram edition.

Usually, we pool the McConks awesomeness SUP pics from our fab McConks SUP paddlers who post in the McConks SUP community Facebook group. This time we plundering the McConks Instagram following. As there are plenty of SUP boarders who post pics there as well. Check out the hall of fame below before hitting up their […]

Paddleboarding, weather and SUP safety – almost everything you need to know.

Paddleboarding and the weather (especially in the UK) go hand in hand like cheese and pickle (OK, we know not everyone likes pickle, but that’s life!). If you don’t know what’s going on with the weather you’ll never enjoy your stand up paddle boarding to its full potential. And from a safety point of view […]

Swedish winter SUP reel with Chris Jones (video).

Swedish winter SUP reel with Chris Jones (video).

Swedish winter SUP looks amazing. How do we know this? Well, take a look at Chris Jones’ images (which you can see more of in the McConks SUP community Facebook group here) and we think you’ll agree. There’s something quite special about sunny blue skies, glassy water, SUP, snow and ice together. The whole thing […]

SUP in tropical esque conditions (right on your doorstep).

SUP in tropical esque conditions (right on your doorstep).

SUP can take paddler anywhere, at any time of year. The weather also plays its part. At times when it should be a bit grotty you may get lucky and discover conditions altogether more idyllic. Such as tropical esque SUP conditions on your doorstep. As is the case here, in this paddler’s from the tail […]

Forcing the (SUP) issue – when ‘it’s’ just not right…

Forcing the (SUP) issue - when 'it's' just not right...

Forcing the issue with SUP can often be the case when ‘it’s’ not right. And by ‘it’ we’re talking about things like Mother Nature chucking her toys out the pram; your mojo missing in action; equipment failures/breakages; the list goes on. But when you’re keen as mustard what to do? Wanting some SUP action (badly). […]

Merry Christmas from McConks

The big day has landed (how quickly has it come around? It only feels like yesterday we were paddling in warm sunshine and toasty water!?!), so we just wanted to take a few minutes to wish everyone a very happy few days. It’s been another tough year for many, and not everyone is able to […]

SUP hack #23904: repairing an adjustable paddle shaft clamp (inner).

SUP hack 23904 repairing an adjustable paddle shaft clamp inner. 7

SUP hacks are extensive. Everyone has their own little ways of doing things to get stand up paddle boarding kit back in workable order. For this SUP hack, we look at adjustable paddles. More specifically we look at how to fix an adjustable paddle clamp. Shop inflatable paddle boards online – McConks online shop. Adjustable […]

Outdoor adventure equipment – the adventurer hot drink break bundle

SIngle hammock relaxation bliss

We all know that getting outdoors is good for our mental and physical health. And that’s even more true in the winter months than the summer months. But sometimes, when it’s cold, wet and windy, when it’s gloomy, it’s hard to persuade our bodies that getting outside is the thing we really want to do. […]

Christmas SUP gifts McConks style.

Christmas SUP gifts

Christmas SUP gifts can be anything applicable to the stand up paddler in your life. And there’s a lot of Christmas gift ideas (and lists) knocking about the internet at this time of year. Here at McConks we’re all about sustainability though – as many of you will know. We try our utmost to stick […]

McConk SUP travel guides: Bude Canal, Bude, Cornwall.

McConks' bitesize SUP travel guides Bude Canal, Bude, Cornwall.

Location: Bude Canal, Bude, Cornwall. Spot type: Manmade, inland waterway sheltered from all weathers and non-tidal. Conditions: Bude canal is very sheltered. Whilst not what you think of when visiting Bude (as the town’s more associated with surfing) the canal can serve as flat water respite when the Atlantic’s not playing ball. The start point […]

What a day that was! McConks Lake 32 SUPtacular

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Well what a great day we had.  The sun shone, the wind blew, coffee was drunk, baked potatoes were eaten, boards were paddled, and there were smiles all round.  Thanks to everyone who made it such an amazing day and particularly those who travelled long distances to come to see us.  We’ve never seen so many […]

Introducing Gloucestershire Bundles

Introducing Gloucestershire Bundles

Introducing Gloucestershire Bundles, our charity of choice for our Winter SUPtacular happening soon. We have supported them periodically as a family for several years, and when we were looking for a charity for McConks to support, they seemed the perfect choice. Gloucestershire Bundles is a charity that provides emergency supplies including toiletries, clothing and equipment to both pregnant […]

Do you want to see more beavers? Have your say

Do you want to see more beavers

We’re keen fans of beavers at McConks. We saw lots of evidence of beavers in Argyll this summer, and actually saw a live beaver through a scope, which was very exciting! But we’d like to see more beavers in the wild in England, and we’ve just responded positively to the Government’s consultation on beaver reintroduction […]

Winter SUPtacular with Lake 32 | Freeze the day | November 21st

Freeze The Day

As you probably know, at McConks, we’re all about making the most of the weather. And the same is definitely true with our friends at Lake 32. There’s no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong gear. As family McConks, we refill our mental health jar with time outdoors whenever and wherever we […]

SUP4 the lifesavers

stand up paddle boarding travel in style

Rachel and 17 other hardy paddlers are embarking on a SUP marathon today (Saturday 4th September) to raise money for the London Air Ambulance. This is a great cause, so if you’ve got some spare change in your digital wallet, please donate to support. And if you’re in the London area and want to support […]

McConks SUP travel guides: Zakynthos (Zante), Ionian Islands, Greece (north).

McConks bitesize international SUP travel guides Zakynthos Zante Ionian Islands Greece north. 16

McConks SUP travel guides: Zakynthos (Zante), Ionian Islands, Greece (north). Location: Zakynthos (Zante), Ionian, Greece (north) https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zakynthos/@37.7885961,20.4768012,99801m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x136740cadc7b5abf:0x27a074dbe04c2ad1!8m2!3d37.7870331!4d20.8998759?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Spot type: The third largest of the Ionian Sea Island Zakynthos (or Zante as it’s referred to) is a well know and well loved holiday hotspot that attracts all kinds. The main town, and Laganas strip, is where […]

Breezy views – overcoming windsurfing’s difficulties and getting involved.

Breezy views – overcoming windsurfings difficulties and getting involved.

Windsurfing is such a difficult sport to fall in love with – fiddly component parts, tricky technique (dictated to in large part by Mother Nature) and an ever fluctuating set of conditions just compounds the problem. Those deciding to learn at home, rather than sunny, warm and consistently breezy overseas destinations (which is also currently […]

Overseas SUP travel – travelling abroad with your stand up paddle board.

Overseas SUP – traveling abroad with your inflatable stand up paddle board.

Overseas SUP travel hasn’t been at teh top of anyone’s agenda for a while. For obvious reasons we’ve held off on publishing articles and posts about overseas. But as we emerge from lockdown, and some foreign destinations have opened (and continue to open) up, is it now time to consider hopping onto the continent (or […]

A sea salt affair: I am someone, I am me. Who are you?

A sea salt affair I am someone I am me. Who are you

I am me. I am someone who lives by the sea and enjoys their toes in the sand, the gently lapping waters of the ocean tickling my skin. I am someone who could do this for hours – days, weeks even! I am someone who enjoys walking barefoot along the coast, gazing out at stormy […]

A brief guide to UK SUP areas and what you might find (broadly).

A brief guide to UK SUP areas and what you might find broadly.

With a thriving SUP scene and participation numbers increasing exponentially and showing no sign of slowing down, there’s a thirst for discovering what type of paddling you can experience around the country. But what can you expect if you decide to hit up this ‘green and pleasant land’ for a spot of sweeping? With staycation […]

Curativate SUP Yoga with the McConks Fitmat 7’3.

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Pics: Curativate Hands up! We don’t give SUP Yoga enough air time on the McConks blog. Even though Mrs McConks practises it and we have gear for all you keen Yogis. As anyone who practises SUP Yoga will tell you the addition of floating on water whilst striking those all important poses is an extra […]

Plastic SUPs and climate change | The elephant in the room

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Did anyone else see the Greta Thonberg documentary this week? Thought provoking, and yet again makes us deeply question what we do at McConks. Is making plastic SUPs sustainable? The science is 100% clear, and has been clear for decades. We need to change our behaviours to mitigate the worst ravages of climate change. Technology […]

McConks SUP travel guides: Polzeath, Cornwall.

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McConks SUP travel guides: Polzeath, Cornwall. Location: Polzeath, Wadebridge, Cornwall Google Maps location here. Spot type: Classic Cornish surfing beach that’s fairly hemmed in, has a vibrant wave riding scene (featuring all types of craft in summer) and a large expanse of sand that can get absolutely rammed. Conditions: Polzeath’s a surf beach, through and […]

Fly McConks Skatewheel dog walking – how do you think that went?

Ever keen to check out and assess new ways of doing things we decided to send Mrs McConks (Jen) off with the dog to see if walking our pooch from aboard the Fly McConks Skatewheel would work. Needless to say you can see the results from the Facebook vid below. What unique methods do you […]

SUP hack #7732: know your basic wind related terminology and jargon.

SUP hack 7732 know your basic wind related terminology and jargon.

Wind can be the bane of many a stand up paddle boarders life. Especially if it’s blowing hard onshore, causing all manner of flotsam, waves and chop to form. Likewise, sideshore and offshore winds can also cause problems – especially offshore types. but hang on, what’s all this mean? Onshore, sideshore, offshore what? Seemingly simple […]

Inflatable innovation unlocked

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If you know anything about McConks, then you will already know that two things underpin our brand: innovation and sustainability. Over the last 18 months we have been working with a number of materials manufacturers from other sectors to develop and innovate the inflatable SUP sector, to improve performance and sustainability. Why have we been […]

McConks SUP user guide #9: how to stand on your stand up paddle board.

McConks SUP user guide 9 how to stand on your stand up paddle board.

McConks SUP user guide #9: how to stand on your stand up paddle board. Having mastered paddling your McConks inflatable SUP on your knees the next step is getting to your feet and learning how to stand on your stand up paddle board. With forward momentum to aid stability, the process should be swift and […]

McConks preorder delivery update

January 2024   We’ve got very limited stock of our 2022 and 2023 boards left.  Check our outlet and clearance shop for massive bargains on what’s left.We’re currently waiting for our 2024 stock to arrive – due around Easter 2024, and available for preorder now

Inflatable SUP paddle board for beginners

SUP noobs

Are you a SUP noob? If so, these are the absolute basics you need to know Standup paddle boarding (SUP) is a fun relaxing and rewarding way to play on water. Relatively gear free, you can get out on the water, playing in river, or lakes or coastal waters. Stand up paddle boards (SUP) offer […]

Can I paddleboard in Lockdown #3 (Jan 2021 – Feb 2021)

Sunrise on the McConks inflatable SUP

Jan 2021: Can I still paddleboard during Lockdown #3? Legally, and according to the letter of the law, and according to the advice given by Sport England on 05 January 2021, the answer is a very clear yes, as long as you can do it on public waterways, and as long as those waterways are […]

What will your first stand up paddle of 2021 be like? #freedomunlocked

What will your first stand up paddle of 2021 be like freedomunlocked scaled

Pic: David Hughes/Brighton Pictures If you’re currently not paddling, because of COVID restrictions or the fact it’s brass monkeys, chances are daydreams of warmer, less stressful SUP days will be flowing through your mind. Daydreaming about stand up paddle boarding is normal. It can be an all consuming hobby – once bitten forever smitten, as […]

SUP safety: how cold is too cold to SUP?

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National lockdowns aside the current UK weather (as of Jan 5, 2020) is on the cooler side to say the least. During the last few days many parts of the country have seen snow flurries, with a few locations having a decent, settled dusting. Even as far as the extreme south coast, where it rarely […]

Counterpoint | fires and marshmallows

Counterpoint fires and marshmallows

by Andy Butcher 2020 was the year when things changed in so many ways. Previous pandemics in recent years died out fairly quickly but as I am writing this, at the beginning of 2021, Coronavirus is more virulent than ever. This however is not about the virus but about the pandemic of bad behaviour we […]

The long and short of it – lengthier SUPs: the best bet all round.

McConks Go Race V 14' long SUP

For most people, with whatever they do, path of least resistance is usually preferred. When talking physical activity ‘feeling’ like you’ve ‘done something’ is certainly desired. After all, if there’s no benefit, and you don’t actually ache a little post-exercise then what’s the point? And of course, the health benefits of moving and doing are […]

SUP for wheelchair users – McConks’ Mega lending a helping hand.

SUP for wheelchair users the McConks Mega offering a helping hand. scaled

Pics: Steve Nelson It’s not always easy for disabled people wanting to get involved with stand up paddle boarding. There are lots of logistics and safety points to tick off and with every disability different, and the way it affects each individual, no ‘blueprint’ exists for getting afloat. Yet, where there’s a will there’s a […]

In case you missed it – McConks on BBC’s Countryfile.

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Did you see it? Stand up paddle boarding on Countryfile this Sunday just gone (November 24, 2020)? As an advert for SUP (and McConks we might add) it’s great to see mainstream media taking notice. And with the theme of ‘countryside healing’ – in light of current global events – we concur there’s no better […]

Lockdown revisited | Should I still paddle? 01/11/2020.

Lockdown revisited McConks

Am I allowed to still paddle during Lockdown #2? We now know a little bit more about lockdown #2, and what the restrictions are on us in England (apologies to our friends in Scotland and in Wales). Whether one agrees with the lockdown or not, it is now unescapable. So what do we know about […]

Happy Environmenstrual week!

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It seems timely to start this article with a little story about a recent trip to Cardiff. Andy suggested it would be nice for he and I to go for a city paddle whilst the boys had a day out with his parents. Reader, he lied! It was quite a traumatic, unpleasant paddle, for me […]

Sunrise SUPin’ – autumn/winter style…

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Dragging the kids out of bed at dawn’s crack, to get on the SUP train for sunrise is made all the more worth it when you get a new day start like the one Team Fam McConks recently experienced. There’re no two ways about it: the weather’s closing in, days are getting shorter and the […]

Carolyn Smith’s Barford to Boston (Lincs) 32m SUP challenge nears…

Carolyn Smith SUP challenge

Carolyn Smith and Phil May (from Yellowbelly SUP School), as we’ve talked about before, is planning on completing a mammoth stand up paddle board journey (in aid of charity) from Barford to Boston in Lincolnshire. Sept 28, 2020 marks the date when Carolyn and Phil are due to set off. Covering 32 miles this is […]

What’s going on ‘ere then? Drums and stand up paddle boarding?

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Here’s an interesting one we spotted over the weekend. Can anyone tell us what’s going on and why these pics of the McConks Go Free 9’8 crossover SUP and KAT Percussion’s KT-200 electronic drum kit have been snapped? No, us either… What we do know is that our friends at SUP Mag UK do like […]

Making 2021 SUP safety year : Waist belts as standard

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With so many new paddlers taking to the water this year, there have been a few near misses. And things can go wrong for relatively experienced paddlers as the recent tragedy on the Camel Estuary shows. We’ve been talking to a few others in the industry over the last few months about our responsibilities as […]

Honesty is always the best policy…

It’s been a rather busy year hasn’t it? It seems that the world has decided that paddleboarding and biking are the perfect socially distant activities post lockdown. We think we’ve already told you that we were nearly 400% up on the previous year to the end of July. That came on the back of being […]

SUP Mag UK reviews McConks’ Go Fly 5m wingfoil/wingsurf/wing SUP wing.

SUPM reviews the McConks Go Fly 5m wing

SUP Mag UK has helped with impartial feedback during the development process of the McConks Go Fly 5m wing off the back of our R&D programme that ran during the latter part of 2019/early 2020. Having gotten hold of initial versions of the Go Fly (of which they also published a review) the model currently […]

Keep ya head up! – stand up paddle boarding’s ‘magic trick’.

Keep ya head up stand up paddle boardings magic trick.

Gazing down into the depths from atop your stand up paddle board and observing the bottom is common practise among all paddlers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re piloting inland waterways or coastal, the instinct to look down is natural. Yet stand up paddle boarding’s biggest ‘trick’ is being able to keep your head up. There’re […]

McConks SUP: a helping hand, where possible…

McConks SUP a helping hand where possible scaled

It’s not just general mental well-being that stand up paddle boarding can help with, there are plenty of other well being areas that SUP can benefit. For instance, we have it on good authority that the right kind of stand up paddle board can encourage people with behavioural problems, or with autism (for example) to […]

National Trust, Windermere, re-opening, gradually and safely (for SUP).

National Trust Windermere re opening gradually and safely for SUP.

We’re pleased to see the National Trust’s locations are going to be opening again very soon – albeit gradually and safely. Already the NT have opened over 100 gardens and parks in England and Northern Ireland via advanced bookings. From Monday July 6 parks and gardens will also start to open in Wales. This is […]

Adventure SUP – McConks style

Adventure SUP McConks style

Adventure paddling can be anything you want. It doesn’t have to mean going all Bear Grylls, eating worms and living feral for days on end. It doesn’t even need to be a long duration. A few hours will often suffice in the right area. Most new stand up paddle board owners will be content during […]

Paddleboards still in stock!

Paddle boards still in stock

So we have limited numbers in stock, but we have another container arriving on 3rd July, and then another arriving in August. So we’ll be keeping levels up this year. These are the SUP boards that are in stock right now! p.s. Unlike some companies, we don’t hold on to your money for weeks before […]

Montenegro or bust | international paddleboarding destinations

Montenegro Lonely Planet image

Here at McConks HQ we’ve spent a happy hour reminiscing about our long-ago holiday to Montenegro following a post on SUP Hacks a while back. It was a real adventure, which only came about because it was the location of that year’s Fat Face catalogue and Jen liked the look of it (true story!). Andy […]

Yogis stand up – top tips for choosing SUP Yoga gear.

Yogis stand up top tips for choosing your stand up paddle board yoga gear

Using a stand up paddle board for Yoga, or rather an inflatable floating platform (as not all Yoga ‘boards’ are actually boards) has been a ‘thing’ for a while now. With SUP’s current momentum, however, there’s a surge of interest in this area of stand up paddle boarding. Here’re a few points to consider when […]

SUP hacks | attaching your leash

Attaching your leash to a McConks SUP

Another child’s play video. Thanks to our Mini McConks for recording this. It might not be as helpful as you’d like, being recorded by an 8 year old. If you need any further instruction, message us!

Amazing customers and awesome reviews

McConks amazing customers

Lots of brands spend huge amounts of money on influencers to get instagram posts like this. But that’s not our style. Follow Indy_love her on Instagram if you want inspiration! View this post on Instagram 6am SUP ? Sun breaking through the clouds over Brighton this morning. Adore my new @mcconksuk_sup and stunning bamboo/carbon paddle. […]

Controlling your breath underwater | Breathe like a dolphin

world ocean day for schools

World Ocean day for schools If you’re one of the very many people a little fed up of home schooling, and your kids like the ocean, this is a winner! A whole day of events planned for 08 June 2020, from rockpool rambles, to environmental awareness sessions with the Marine Conservation Society, to live Q&A […]

SUP hacks. Fixing your SUP pump pressure gauge

Fixing your SUP pump gauge

SUP hacks are designed to help all paddlers with potential ways of overcoming things during their stand up paddle boarding. Sometimes it’s about specific equipment hacks. While at other times is more generalist related to the sport you love. In this one we look at how to sort out a SUP pump pressure gauge. Shop […]

That was the week that was. SUP gone mad, and Yosemite here we come.

That was the week that was. SUP gone mad, and Yosemite here we come. This year is turning out to be a little bizarre isn’t it? And that’s the understatement of the year! Before lockdown we were desperately trying to get gear out to our SUP schools and partner companies in a timely manner before […]

Making sense of it – SUP jargon and terminology

SUP terminology and phrases

SUP jargon and terminology can be unfamiliar. If you’re new to stand up paddle boarding then you may be wondering what all this new language and SUP related jargon is. Even if you’re a seasoned paddler some terminology may have gone straight over your head. With this in mind we’ve listed some of the more […]

Buy and Try your McConks stand up paddle board; NO QUIBBLE 28 day return period.

McConks Buy and Try a SUP scheme scaled

Thanks to Kathy Marston who snapped the above pic. Check out her Instagram for more – https://www.instagram.com/happiestwhenoutdoors/?hl=en Can’t decide whether SUP‘s the one for you? Not even sure if you’ll stick with it having purchased your McConks stand up paddle board (even though we know you will!). Maybe there’s an issue surrounding the actual kit […]

SUP’s just SUP these days…isn’t it?

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Stand up paddle surfing, SUP racing, touring SUP, white water stand up paddle boarding, recreational paddling and so on…You’ve heard all the terms, no doubt read all the pigeon-holed descriptions and are probably aware of a few more disciplines within the discipline, so to speak. And that’s how it’s been since stand up’s renaissance in […]

A car is just a car right?

A car made in one factory is just the same as a car made in another factory isn’t it? So a Merc is the same as a VW, is the same as a Honda, is the same as a Daewoo right? They’re all made of metal, have engines, steering wheels and tyres, and there’s no […]

SUP fundamentals – stand up paddle board stance types

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SUP fundamentals articles from McConks have always tried to guide stand up paddlers in the right direction. Where you stand on your SUP board can have a profound effect in terms of performance and feel – not least it can be the difference between staying dry and getting wet. Stance, as much as anything, is […]

Lockdown 2020 | Can I stand up paddle board again? | update as of May 13, 2020

Can I SUp again

Many people are itching to get back on the water, and it seems that some regions of the UK might be starting to slowly release their lockdown. So what’s the current position across the countries of the UK? For Scotland and Northern Ireland, it’s a straightforward no. You’re only permitted to leave your house for […]

All inflatable SUPs are the same aren’t they?

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“All inflatable SUPs are the same aren’t they?” That’s something we hear quite a lot. Another one is “All iSUPs are made in the same factory aren’t they?” Well, let us take you on a little journey… Back in 2018, when we started making SUP apparel, we thought that one organic fairtrade cotton tee was […]

PRESS RELEASE: COULD YOU WALK 100km IN 24 HOURS?

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27/04/2020 Contact: Andy McConkey [Wye Valley, Gloucestershire, 27/04/2020] – Serial charity fundraiser, Stacey Smithson-Grey,is attempting to walk 100km non-stop in 24 hours in May 2020. Stacey is a passionate mental health campaigner, having been impacts by suicides during her job as a Highways England Traffic Officer, therefore is challenging herself to raise […]

I’m alright jack just doesn’t cut it right now

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I’m alright jack just doesn’t cut it right now | what McConks are doing to help So we’ve been happily telling everyone how much we’re enjoying lockdown. Pizzas and camping in the garden, no commute to work, exploring the woods and picking wild garlic, listening to woodpeckers whilst studying wild orchids, and a whole heap […]

Bounce back (BIG) to SUP #2

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Bounce back (BIG) to SUP #2 The BIG SUP bounce back is in full effect. Paddlers everywhere are preparing themselves for when beaches and waterways are available for stand up paddle boarding once again. We’re not suggesting everybody’s fully out of the woods just yet – as far as COVID-19 goes. There’s still a long […]

A change is gonna come | the perfect song for our times?

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A change is gonna come | the perfect song for our times? Hope you’re well friends. It’s Andy here. I’ve recently been asked to do that social media chain thing – 10 albums that influenced your life, no description etc etc. Being the kind of person that I am, I straight up ignored the rules […]

Let’s do it #LetsStayInside

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Let’s do it #LetsStayInside For those of you of a certain age, who loved (and still miss) the genius wordsmith and comedian that was the late great Victoria Wood, you will 100% love this very topical version. A massive well done to BBC Radio Oxford for brightening up these strange days. Some genius lines of […]

RNLI #Water Safety Wednesdays – #WaterSafetyWednesdays

Water Safety Wednesdays scaled

RNLI Water Safety Wednesdays Are you wanting to ensure that your kids stay safe in and around water once this current lockdown is over? And maybe more importantly, are you looking for more informative and fun stuff to keep your offspring busy during lockdown? If so, the RNLI has launched to your rescue! The lifeboatds […]

Win a McConks SUP package in association with SUP Mag UK.

SUPM prize draw

Win a McConks SUP package in association with SUP Mag UK. As the saying goes: you’ve got to be in it to win it. We may be facing difficult times as far as stand up paddling goes but when we can head out it’ll be all the sweeter. One way you could potentially bag some […]

McConks Coronavirus GoInspire hardship fund

SUP with kids

GoInspire hardship fund – helping where we can We’ve been really inspired how different companies have stepped up the mark in these times of crisis, and doing all they can to help. From work canteens doing free delivered meals for the vulnerable, to restaurants turning themselves into shops, to some of the amazing things that […]

Coronavirus and McConks SUP | Business continuity

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Coronavirus McConks SUP| Business continuity Changing plans We were meant to be publishing a post right now about how we were going to be helping dozens, if not hundreds, of kids get up running with stand up paddling this summer. A network of SUP instructors around the country willing to give up their time to […]

Trees for life, carbon neutrality and rewilding

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GoBeyond – trees4sup As part of our #GoBeyond initiative, in 2019 we made ourselves a commitment to do more to support rewilding initiatives, and to move towards carbon neutrality. And then we found out about the rewilding charity #treesforlife. And decided that we could probably combine the two commitments! We can’t make any bold claims […]

Win a McConks Go X Wild or Go Explore 12’8

We’ve teamed up with the Paddler eZine and Stand-up Paddle Mag UK to give away an inflatable SUP package. Here’s how to find all the details… New early spring issue of the Paddler magazine… The International magazine for recreational paddlers – Check it out online @…Free tablet and smart phone HTML5 optimised edition: https://paddlerezine.comFree Joomag […]

It’s all about trust: setting up a successful stand up paddle boarding business

Setting up a Successful paddleboarding business

It’s all about trust: setting up a stand up paddle boarding business Stand up paddleboarding, (SUP) is riding the crest of a wave right now. The ever growing popularity of paddleboarding has led to a big growth in the paddle board market, and lots of business opportunities for people looking to escape from their day […]

Rewilding forests can’t be done on the cheap

Planting a tree in the right place

Ever since McConks started investigating rewilding and tree planting back in early 2019, we’ve been concerned about the long term sustainability of some tree planting schemes. We know from our work with organisations like the Woodland Trust that planting a seed can cost as little as £0.10, but that growing a seed into a viable […]

Let’s talk about sustainability and ethics in the inflatable SUP world

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It’s fashionable to claim to be green and ethical. Everyone is at it these days, with all sorts of claims. So let’s talk about what it really means to be #ethical and #sustainable. ? To us it’s about a whole lot more than planting a few trees, using green energy or doing plastic litter patrols. And being ethical […]

What is SUP? This is SUP!

SUP and the web are wide-ranging. When you look at most paddleboarding content on webpages and social media, you might be forgiven for thinking that paddle boarding is just for young, slim, pretty people, who also happen to be cool and hip. But paddle boarding is about so much more than that. Stand up paddle […]

3 reasons why you should consider paddleboarding for the first time!

Group SUP on giant SUP boards

3 reasons why paddleboarding is easier than you think it might be One of our customers customers (that’s not a typo!) has recently written a blog on why paddleboarding is so accessible and easy for everyone! You can read the full article by clicking the button at the bottom… but what did Claire from Weekend […]

Pros and cons of a Compact lightweight paddleboard

Why don’t you…? Compact inflatable paddleboards SUP The idea of a compact SUP is very alluring. Something light and that fits in cabin baggage seems like a game changer. And in many ways it is exactly what most inflatable paddleboard paddlers want. And we know this because lots of people contact us to ask if […]

The stiffest race ISUP on the market?

McConks Go Race

Typical stiffness of an inflatable SUP board According to SUPboarder reviews, and their published results of inflatable SUP deflection tests*, the stiffest iSUPs on the market have a deflection in the high single number mm – 8 or 9mm. That is, then bend by up to 10mm when a person of 75kg stands on them […]

Breaking the myths | Fatter can be faster | McConks race SUP

McConks 14 Go race

Breaking the myths | Fatter (boards) can be faster | McConks race SUP If you’ve been anywhere near the paddleboard race scene in the last few years, you can’t have helped notice that race boards are getting narrower. And obviously a narrower board has better glide, has less friction, and must be faster right? That’s […]

Paddleboarding with disabilities

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What’s your excuse? It’s very easy to get caught up in reasons not to do something. Especially if you’re feeling a little low, a little less than your normal self. Too cold? Too wet? Not feeling it? Don’t think you’re good enough? All easy reasons to decide not to get on the water. Well hopefully, […]

Should I buy an inflatable or a rigid paddleboard?

McConks Go Further 14" inflatable SUP

The truth about inflatable paddleboard performance If you want to race at a high level, and enter sprint and endurance events, or be on the podium for surf SUP comps, you’re almost certainly going to need a quiver of hard boards. But for everyone else, an iSUP is ideal.  Let us tell you more. Despite […]

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Who actually is the #1 SUP in the UK

There must be at least 6 companies who claim to be #1 SUP in the UK. But have you ever seen any evidence to justify it? Red Paddle claim to be the biggest selling SUP brand in the UK, and that is probably true. But the other companies who claim to be the best, the […]

Beating prejudice and helping dreams come true through SUP.

Beating prejudice and helping dreams come true through SUP.

It’s 2019. We’re meant to live in a modern, liberal, progressive society. But peer pressure, shame and guilt often still play too big a part in this world. People are still held back from achieving what they feel they’ve been born to achieve. Sometimes it’s the individual themselves. Sometimes it’s their family. Sometimes it’s their […]

Electric SUP pumps: which is best?

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Electric SUP pumps: which is best? For a while, there’s been a settled view amongst experienced paddlers that the 12v pump in grey is the most reliable and fastest pump out there in the £75 – £150 bracket. Admittedly, it has its detractors, with some people having melted pistons and had switch and valve failures. […]

SUP paddles – the 5 top myths and fallacies.

Top five myths about SUP paddles

SUP paddles have a lot of myths and fallacies attached to them. Here are the top five we hear all the time. 1. “The stiffer the better”. A shaft that’s too stiff for your biomechanics is very likely to cause shoulder injury, especially if combined with a less than perfect paddle stroke. At the elite […]

Paddleboarding (SUP) in the Cotswold Water Park?

Where to paddle

Where can I SUP in the Cotswold Water Park? The Cotswold Water Park is an area of 40 square miles, with more than 150 lakes, set across the countryside of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire. It’s one of Europe’s largest lake systems, and is a haven for wildlife and watersports. Therefore any sane person might […]

Be free

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Some pics from my Bruce adventures , sea sup , river fun , doggie sup , Love and freedom

How important is sustainability?

We loved listening to Monbiot on Boyle tonight.   We’ve long been fans of George Monbiot. Andy first met him when working as a policy and campaigns volunteer at Friends of the Earth Cymru years ago.  And listening to the likes of George Monbiot has totally shaped our views on sustainability and environmental protection. Here’s a few […]

Do I need a kids size inflatable SUP?

Do I need a kids inflatable paddleboard?

Do I need a kids size paddleboard? Many column inches have been written elsewhere about why a kids size SUP is essential for young riders. We agree that there are many reasons why a SUP that’s biomechanically designed to fit a kids frame can be important if you want your kids to be the next […]

Tried, tested and trusted | rugged inspiration

McConks iSUP

Tried, tested and trusted | rugged inspiration When you’re looking to buy a new piece of sports kit, who do you take your inspiration from? The very biggest sport brands, whether this be the likes of generalist sports brands like Adidas and Nike, or specialist watersports brands like Fanatic or Starboard, want you to take […]

New for 2019 | McConks SUP

Who makes the best SUP?

We’ve had a few customers ask us what’s changing in 2019. So we thought we should tell you! Heat pressed fusion technology Sound familiar? That’s because we’ve been using fusion technology since we changed to our new high tech factory in 2017. So fusion technology is not anything that’s new to us or our factory.…

Bath SUP and McConks

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Bath paddle board centre runs instruction and tours across the South West. Once you’ve got some experience you can then SuP with our group, Bath SUP. Check out our recent photos!

Chris Freeman SUP photos

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Chris Freeman is one of the most prolific SUP photographers in the west of of England.  He’s also one of the nicest paddlers you’ll meet. Which is good, because if you ever get into difficulties in the Severn Area, Chris is one of the trained volunteers who might come to your rescue with SARA (Severn […]

Champagne River

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Nice cruising Day in Champagne. Alone between fields. sun, birds, great board, what else ? In this part of France, not many folks ride on a SUP – more fool them! Lots of people were surprised 😉

2019 production nearing completion

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2019 production nearing completion Just a few photos from our factory in China. Look how clean it is. Find out how and why cleanliness is so important when you’re making an iSUP by heading over to this link

Team McConks album

Team McConks photowall

Team McConks photowall We get lots of photos sent from our lovely extended family – holiday photos, fun photos, photos of kids growing up.  We love getting them, and we love seeing our kit being used around the world. It makes all the late nights and hard work worth it to see those smiles! But […]

Cleanliness is next to unleakiness

Cleanliness is next to unleakiness If you’re looking for top quality, bombproof SUP without any airbubbles or imperfections, a clean  factory is a good place to start. The video at the bottom of this post was taken today of our McConks boards in production by our quality assessor. Things to notice: The floor is lined. […]

Is this the start of something big?

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Is this the start of a beautiful relationship? McConks are looking for independent instructors, organisations and companies who share our vision and ethics to join us in our mission to get more people on the water. If you already know who we are, how we can help your company grow, and are just after our preorder […]

Deferred gratification

Do you get the most gratification from having what you want, when you want it? Do you get a thrill from being a little impulsive with your money? Or do you get the biggest emotional pick me up from planning wisely, choosing, and then looking forward to something in the future? These two types of […]

When things go wrong

So. We’re finally in France on holidays. Tent’s pitched, new McConks van pride of place, boards pumped up, barbecue lit, cold beer in hand. It should be bliss. We’ve worked damn hard all year to look forward to these two weeks. But all is not as relaxed as it should be. In fact, we’re pretty […]

the good news and the bad news

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An explosion in SUP popularity It’s been a while since we’ve blogged, which gives you an idea how busy this spring and summer has been.  It has been an unbelievably manic year, both for our SUP and accessories sales business mcconks.com and our hire business SUPbyPost.com. Why is everyone sold out of SUP boards? Why […]

WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN

  Fancy winning an inflatable SUP, or a SUP experience in Cornwall? Or winning a family weekend  SUP hire by post? Lots of prizes to be won, just for spending 10 minutes of your time completing this survey on SUPhubUK. Find out more by visiting SUPhubUK.  

Bigger, better, stiffer, faster, stronger. Masculine words for a male dominated sport?

I paddle for equality

We’ve recently been involved in a very passionate online debate. It was about why women are under-represented in the adventurous outdoor activities sector.   As always with online debates, things quickly got out of hand. There was name calling, and abuse. Strong beliefs and opinions made the thread more an argument than a debate, with reasoned […]

Finding your nearest SUP litter pick with SUPhubUK

Find your nearest paddleboard litter pick

Maps and events planner SUPhubUK is a great resource for all things SUP.  Whether it be finding your nearest race, finding the nearest SUP club for your holiday in Scotland, or whether it be finding out when the next SUP retreat is going to happen, SUPhubUK has it covered. And now there is a new […]

British Canoeing SUP working group

British canoeing SUP working group

Supporting a positive future for SUP Just a little something else McConks will be doing to give something back to Stand Up Paddleboarding. Andy is now volunteering his time on the British Canoeing SUP working group. First meeting on 5th Feb. Interesting times ahead.  Read more . This is all part of McConks desire to […]

SUP River fins

Focus on iSUP fins

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Hero_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] SUP river fins – demystifying the whole thing. SUP river fins are a niche within a niche. We put together a blog article last year to demystify paddleboard fins.  We tried to turn all of the jargon into a short, simple article that anyone can understand, even if you don’t have a degree […]

Adjustable or fixed SUP paddles?

McConks 100% carbon SUP paddle

Fixed or adjustable SUP paddles. What SUP paddle do you need? Are you wondering about whether you need a fixed or an adjustable paddleboard paddle?   Do you struggle to understand the performance differences between 1 , 2 and 3 piece SUP paddles?  Don’t worry. You’re definitely not alone.  But fret not, this article will hopefully […]

Standup paddle the source of the Thames

SUP’ing the source of the Thames If you’re into your river SUP adventures, this is one of the most ephemeral or difficult to complete challenges. For most of the year, it’s not possible to SUP England’s most famous river Thames from its source. That’s because for most of every year, and for all of some […]

Facts and figures of 2017

2017 – all about the numbers McConks are not about long celebratory blogs about how great 2017 was.  Or how big 2018 is going to be for us. We could talk about how great our customers are, and what great reviews we’ve received of our inflatable SUP boards.  We could say how we’ve loved being tagged in our […]

The four stages of Santa

So how do paddleboarding Father Christmas’s, Santa SUPs and festive elves fit into the four stages of life? First, you believe in Santa Secondly, you stop believing in Santa Thirdly, you are Santa And finally, you look like Santa. We’re not sure what stage all of these Santas are at.  But they’ve certainly raised eyebrows […]

To Dryrobe or not to Dryrobe? 13 points to consider.

To Dryrobe or not to Dryrobe 13 points to consider

Are you thinking about buying a Dryrobe this Christmas? Either as a present for yourself or for someone else?  Dryrobes are a great gift idea – who wouldn’t want a warm, waterproof and windproof tent to hide in whilst getting changed?    Dryrobes have an excellent reputation amongst their customers, and having tried them ourselves, we think it’s a well-deserved reputation.  They’re well designed, well thought out and fantastic quality.

Talking story – McConks’ Q&A

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Every brand has a ‘face’ behind the scenes. In the case of McConks SUP that’d be Andy and wife Jen. To get more of an insight into the inner workings of this new kid on the SUP company block Andy was recently put on the Q&A grill to find out what makes him tick, what […]

The wait is finally over. It’s here. Brand new for 2018

New for 2018

Be a happier paddler in 2018 Want to buy the very best and newest kit in 2018?  Want new kit that not only helps you SUP better, but actually be a better person, feel happier, and live a more fulfilled life? Scroll down to find out more… Have you been looking longingly at new boards, […]

Boardin Skool & McConks | McConks SUP

McConks sup Boardin akoo?

We asked a few of our bigger customers (number of boards not weight or height of customer) for a couple of words about McConks – why they choose us, if they were happy with our service, with our kit etc.  We were only really expecting people to complain. After all, it’s a given that the […]

SUP fins 101- all about them | McConks SUP.

Focus on iSUP fins

SUP fins are essential on surfboards and paddleboards, but lot’s of people don’t know why.  Everyone has a vague understanding that they help SUP go in a straight line and give control when surfing, but scratch much deeper, and most don’t understand how fins work.  So, we thought we’d put this blog together to help. The importance […]

Penbryn Sands – Ceredigion

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Cardigan Bay is renowned for it’s marine life, it’s scenery and it’s beaches.  And quite rightly so.  Pretty much anywhere you choose to put in, you’ve got a chance of seeing seals and dolphins (Cardigan Bay was one of the first protected marine zones in the UK thanks to the Bottlenose Dolphin Community), and you will […]

How to choose the right size inflatable SUP board

What type of board

How to choose the right size inflatable SUP board If you’ve decided you want an inflatable SUP board rather than a rigid board, but you don’t know what size board to get, then this article is for you.  If you’re still not sure whether you need a rigid or inflatable board, then check out this article.  And […]

all about the rocker

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We’ve said time and again that spotting good from mediocre, or telling bad from outright dangerous, is a little difficult for those new to the sport. So lot’s of people turn to local shops for advice, which is normally a good choice.  However, some retailers might be more interested in the margin that they make on certain […]

Focus on iSUP bags

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One of the factors that makes iSUP so attractive to so many people, is the ease of transport.  You don’t need a van or roof bars, and it’s much easier to travel on planes, with the weight of whole packages of top end kit (including paddles) being only 15kg. But all of this lugging them […]

Is SUP a sport?

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Hands up if you think the answer is yes? By answering yes then maybe you think that stand up paddling has a competitive edge. After all, one of the definitions of the word ‘sport’ according to an online dictionary is: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against […]

Whitstable SUP & McConks

They say you can you choose your friends but not your family.  So the friends you choose say more about who you are than your family do.  And as a SUP brand, although anyone can buy and use our products, its the companies that we choose to call our partners that say a lot about […]

SUP hack: separating a stuck stick (paddle).

SUP paddles are very similar to windsurf masts. And windsurfers have been battling with this problem for years. How to separate two pieces of carbon fibre/fibreglass that have seized up after a bit of neglect? Windsurf masts, as with two and three piece SUP paddles do have a habit of fusing sometimes. The two and […]

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

We’ve just been listening to the back catalogue of an old friend of McConks.  Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Not a friend as in someone we know personally, but a friend in the sense of someone who we’ve known for a very long time, whose advice we admire, and who makes us smile whenever we […]

Focus on… McConks Carbon SUP paddle

Carbon SUP paddle | Bamboo SUP paddle | 3 piece adjustable SUP paddle

In an ideal world, every paddler would have a whole plethora of paddles. One for racing, one for surf, one for whitewater, one for training, one for travelling etc.  And each would have different size and shape blades, different angles of attack, different amounts of flex in the shaft, and different length shafts.   We’ve […]

Our Story

McConks Story

As a young(ish) couple with a couple of children, we felt that the big brands no longer ‘spoke’ to us.  And from talking to the people we met on beaches and at breaks, on river and in lakes, it became clear that we weren’t the only ones who no longer felt a connection with the […]

“Going training”: SUP speak for paddlers

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People have been using slang, jargon and colloquialisms for many years to reinforce identity and exclude outsiders.  And it still goes on now.  You know that feeling when you listen to a politician or Chief Exec on the news, and despite hearing all the words you still can’t quite understand what they’re saying?  Or when you hear teenagers using words that […]

Are you full of Coastal Spirit?

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Coastal Spirit… You know it when you feel it.  Whether it be the feeling that you get when you see the mist over the sea at sunrise, the adrenalin rush when you nail that session, or the inspiration you feel watching a watery blood red sunset. It’s also the name of a great company in […]

Get your big blue adventure: exploring the world through SUP

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Every now and then, we’re going to let our blog be taken over by a company that inspires us and who’s principles align with ours. This article, by Big Blue Adventures based in Cardiff South Wales, is the first in the takeover series! Thanks to Dan and Heleen for the article. ‘Exploring through adventure’, that is one of the […]

Yoga and SUP

SUP yoga for the soul

As someone who’s always enjoyed adventurous activities, I’ve had my fair share of broken bones, pulls and strains. The most significant of these being a broken shoulder about 8 years ago (dumped on a sand bar at Praar Sands after failing to commit/pop in a double overhead situation), and a broken neck when I was 18. […]

Focus on All round SUP

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There are some people who like following the crowds, who will buy the biggest selling boards because everyone else has bought one. It must be the best if everyone has one right? Nothing to do with marketing or dealer margin eh? There are others who like to do their own thing, who like to create […]

SUP hack: Stronger, faster, longer – upping your SUP game

George Jackson

It might not be in your game plan to be stronger, go faster or paddle for longer. Which is fine. After all, standup paddleboarding is meant to be a fun pastime, not a boot camp. But we keep being asked for advice from SUPers who’ve been in the game for a while, and who want […]

SUP hack: Time on the water – quantity over quality?

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The old saying: ‘need more time on the water’ is usually used when referring to required improvements in personal SUP performance. And there’s no question racking up the hours will pay dividends.  But is quantity more important than quality?  Is five days straight stand up paddle surfing in average conditions better than one session in groomed […]

Sad demise of Origin paddleboards: impact on the SUP scene

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It’s been announced in recent days that Origin Paddleboards is no longer trading, and that many of the kickstarter backers have lost their money. First up – to all those of you who’ve lost your investment – that really sucks, and if McConks could afford to give you kit for free to in a small […]

Everyone deserves a chance to SUP

At McConks it’s really important to us to give something back to the community.  And to that end we like to work with charities and groups who work with the disadvantaged in our communities.  Stevie Nelson from Beyond Boundaries East Lothian (BBEL) has written the piece below to share their experience of working with McConks. […]

Big wave surfing: the “Eddie would go” mentality

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22 years ago this week, the 36 year old celebrated big wave surfer Mark Foo flew to the recently discovered big wave spot Mavericks for the first time. It was his last time surfing Mavericks.  And his last wave ever.  After disappearing beneath the behemoth wall of water, he was found two hours later still leashed to […]

5 reasons why experiences make the best gift.

5 reasons why experiences make the best gift.

Economic and behavioural science tells us that having an experience may actually make you more happy than buying the latest new gadget or pair of shoes. I know many aren’t convinced, but the science is seriously solid. Experiences are really where it’s at. 1. We Get More Excited About Future Experiences It turns out that anticipation […]

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