Every coastline around the UK has a wave on its day. And every location gets a ridable swell pulsing in. You just may have to wait months for those days when busting out the short board is applicable. And there lies the problem with UK waves: inconsistent and fickle pretty much summing up our general conditions.
Cornwall, Devon and SW Wales are the locations most riders think of when surfing this neck of the woods. And whilst these spots do get a decent amount of swell it’s the quality that can sometimes be lacking. With the best will in the world a straight hander closing out right onto the sand isn’t ever going to help aspiring surfers progress. It might be two foot and offshore but if it’s dumping heavily you’re never going to score a silky ride. Add to the mix Mother Nature’s unpredictable moods, where she’ll send relentless onshore winds for weeks on end and it becomes ever trickier for UK surfers to get it good.
Trecking miles to reach surf locations is a common thing. A large % of UK surfers don’t live anywhere near the coast – let alone the headline put ins. So travel is a must. Yet time can often be a limiting factor. And with less time for surfing comes less time to progress and improve. Add the wave inconsistency mentioned above and it becomes seriously difficult to nail down conditions suitable for improving.
When stand up paddle boarding first came on the scene pre-2010 it was seen as a way to make much better use of smaller, weaker surf. Suddenly coastlines away from the SW were green lit for some wave sliding fun. Even today the UK’s south coast, Channel coast is a prime area for some SUP surfing fun. The oversized nature of stand up paddle boards means even ankle slapping ripples are doable and a whole heap of fun. Suddenly, wave session scores closer to home are achievable.
A case in point being anyone residing in London. Come summer, with longer days and lighter evenings, it’s perfectly applicable to head straight down the A3 and be within easy reach of a variety of south coast surf spots. That makes after work sessions a potential, as long as there’s swell.
As with everything once you start getting fully immersed with something the wants and needs of a stand up paddle surfer evolve. SUP surfing, just like surfing, starts to become more reliant on better and better conditions. What was just a bit of fun in ankle slappers takes on a new dimension as the rider in question seeks out more powerful, better formed and, dare we say it, more fulfilling conditions.
SUP’s beauty is still that you don’t need absolutely macking conditions. But where once a knee high pulse of swell was sufficient he/she suddenly starts looking for head high nugs. But that requires conditions and beaches more open to swell. As such, we can kind of arrive back in the same place we were with our prone surfing shenanigans. Not quite the same but similar.
SUP foiling, whilst growing in popularity (in tandem with other fly above water disciplines), remains a niche within a niche. It has its aficionados but as yet hasn’t exploded in popularity. And being honest may not because of SUP foiling’s perception. The thought from non-initiated parties is that foiling’s hard. For sure, it’s tricky at the start. But with a bit if time and perseverance flying above the waves is achievable.
The other prohibiting factor is equipment cost. There’s no question shelling out for a hydrofoil and foil board is a decent amount of readies. And that cost is often hard to swallow. Especially if the subject in question has never foiled and doesn’t know if it’s a sport for them. But. For any paddler with prior SUP surfing skills adding a foil and learning the art of flight is not as huge a leap as thought.
SUP foiling waves needed, in some ways, are exactly the same type riders would seek out for some SUP surfing fun. The difference with foiling is once elevated it’s like the NOS button was hit. The speed and efficiency – plus frictionless, silent ride – generated from the foil is totally unique and very addictive. SUP foiling is like turbo charged longboard riding. The glide and smooth turning ability (having dialled in the necessary skills) deliver such a high performance way of riding in the smallest of waves.
If there’s a hint of vert on the wave there’s enough ‘shove’ to propel the riding forwards. With the right foil – a product with low stall/take off speed – lift is guaranteed. And once up and flying it’s effortless and all smiles.
The elements that make SUP foiling in waves so much fun and addictive are very similar to the traits that make prone surfing a life labour of love. Speed, glide, carving ability and flow being the main points. And all without the need for waves of consequence. And those locations away from the more recognisable and popular spots of the SW are once again ripe for some foiling shenanigans.
We know from talking to those who partake regularly that SUP foiling (and prone surf foiling) has enabled the rider in question to reconnect with his/her surfing routes. People like this just want to slide and glide. Adding a hydrofoil enables this to a hyper level of performance for the majority of wave conditions you’re likely to come across most of the time. No more chasing low pressure systems, optimum tides and the ideal spot. Simply grab your gear and head to the beach. Session (almost) guaranteed.
And if you SUP surf and surf also. Then when the planets do align, of course, bust out the fin sled once again, thereby maximising every minute of your time afloat. What’s not to like?
McConks don’t do SUP foiling gear (yet). But we do supply eFoiling and wing foiling gear. The addictive and meditative properties delivered by foiling are also on offer with these disciplines. Check out our range of foiling kit in the McConks webshop.
And for more foiling knowledge hit up the McConks guide to foiling page here.
