Paddle Boarding in Exmouth
The sport of paddle boarding could truly be described as a sport for all.
With no barriers to entry other than being able to swim and fairly inexpensive kit outlay it is pretty easy to master the basics and opens a world of adventure for all.
From sea to canal, to river to lake there are bodies of water all over the UK just waiting to be explored - on foot so to speak.
Exmouth has become a leading light in the sport for many and has seen a veritable explosion in participants local and visitor alike. Groups such as the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group set up in 2019 by Derek Johnson has attracted over 1,500 paddlers through the door and around the start of the summer each year has seen the inevitable spike in membership as people shake of the gloom of winter and eagerly await trying the sport for summer.
It truly is a sport for all seasons and for almost any water environment. SUP or Stand Up Paddleboarding can be calm flat social paddles, rough water racing, big wave surfing, touring, white water riding and even freestyle making it one of the most versatile sports you can get in to for relatively little expense.
In Exmouth we are blessed by a lot of water and a lot of differing environments to try some of the many forms of paddle boarding. The wide, sandy seafront can generate reasonable waves from fairly small to larger waves attracting surfers and stand up paddle board surfers. Further round the beach into the Exe Estuary you’ll come across a vast open body of tidal water offering some great environments to explore.
From the famous Duck Pond one can paddle over to Dawlish and Cockwood across the estuary, explore Lympstone or further up to Topsham, cross to Starcross and so many nooks and crannies you’d need an entire week to explore them!
A short trip away you’ll get to Exeter canal where you can paddle the entire length until you get to the very top of the Exe Estuary - there is truly something for everyone.
Did you know there’s evidence of rudimentary stand up paddle boarding dating back over 3,000 years?
SUP was identified officially back in 2013 but over in Hawaii it goes back to about 1940 when surfers would use larger boards to catch smaller waves when the breaks weren’t so good.
John Ah Choy was a local Hawaiian who having gotten older was unable to get to his feet to go surfing and would use a canoe paddle to go catch waves - his sons Leroy and Bobby Ah Choy having seen this then mimicked the act and paddle boarding as we know it sprang to life.
So what is it and how do you start? In essence you need a board and these come in all shapes and sizes from small surfing dedicated boards with a lower volume to long, thin racing machines designed for speed but very unstable to the beginner, longer and slightly wider touring boards and hybrids that aren’t as tippy as racers but can be tricky for beginners through to wider more stable platforms. There are essentially two types of board - inflatable boards known as iSUP which are the most popular due to storage and solid boards.
Choosing a board rather depends on a few factors like how will you be using it and what do you plan to do with it. Most beginners will spend less on a board but soon find their feet - excuse the pun - and purchase a board more suited to which way they wish to go in the sport.
You need a board to suit your weight when first starting out and a good SUP supplier can help you with choosing the right board.
At the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group we do advise having a few lessons. You will master things faster and safer than going it alone. That said, many people do learn themselves but it’s so important not to build in bad habits - most people won’t figure those out until paddling in a group when they can’t maintain a straight line or keep up due to habits gained through self teaching.
Joining a local group in your area will certainly help you improve, meet new friends and progress your skills. In Exmouth we are lucky with many groups, shops and training bodies which makes the town so appealing to paddle boarders.
Groups such as the Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group offer regular trips for all abilities you can join and make an ideal place to start exploring the beauty of the surrounding Devon countryside from the water.
Some great spots to paddle include Orcombe point (flat water or waves), Sandy Bay cliffs, Exmouth Beach, The Duck Pond, Lympstone, Topsham, across the estuary to Star Cross, Cockwood and Dawlish - there’s lots to see!
A word to the wise - we are a tidal town and it is very important to know the tidal conditions particularly in the Exe Estuary. The tidal flow at its peak is fast and knowing when to avoid it is paramount to enjoying the water safely.
With safety in mind please respect the ocean by wearing a Personal Floatation Device or PFD, wear a waist leash too - the estuary has several moorings and snaring an ankle leash on one during peak tides can be lethal. Always let someone know where you are going - another great reason to join a group like Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group. Paddle within your own limits and make sure your kit is up to your planned paddle. Carry your phone or a radio with you and above all else carry common sense at all times. Avoid offshore winds greater than 6mph - you are a giant sail and paddling against a breeze can be quite difficult. If you are new to the sport consider lessons - they will progress you faster and safer. Also recommended would be tidal awareness courses so you get some good grounding in tides and weather in general. Above all else - keep a close eye on the weather as the coast in the UK can be unpredictable.
Exmouth is a superb place to paddle and attracts thousands to its shores every year - come and explore it yourself - in safety - and enjoy the our sport.
Derek Johnson
Founder of Exmouth SUP & Paddle Group