Progress in our modern world is a given. We innovate more, we advance – it’s the human way. But sport is cruel, progress is not always a linear path, more a zigzag, back and forth towards the next level. Finn Mullen offers some practical tips for an aspiring SUP surfer looking to keep their progress on track.
If you ever feel disheartened by your own performance then let me offer you some advice - misery loves company. And in sport, you have plenty of company to choose from. In the past week I’ve watched major ath-letes and teams ‘choke’ at the final hurdle. Their past accomplishments and skills seemingly ancient history as they fail to reproduce former glories. We know more now than we ever did about athletic performance in terms of diet, mental techniques, training methods and human kinetics, yet still progress in performance is not a given. At this point in professional sport the business of analysis, coaching and advice from endless experts kicks in. And it’s big business, but what about when you’re at the other end of the scale. Standing on your SUP on an isolated beach is a world away from high performance sports labs and coaches videoing your every move, yet, with the right approach, it is still a stage for progress. I don’t have access to any of the high-end coaching tools or techniques and through injuries, work and family commitments spend a lot more time off the water than on. But I use some simple and practical solutions that help me make the most of my training periods. There’s no science…or profit behind these, just some inspiration for how to keep your level on an upwards trajectory.
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This story is from the Spring 2019 edition of SUP International.
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This story is from the Spring 2019 edition of SUP International.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Turning Points
With spring in the air and the start of a new decade, thoughts naturally turn to what we can do differently in the name of betterment. Finn Mullen reflects on some changes to consider when looking to improve your SUP surfing.
THE CLOSE OUT- TREV'S GREAT BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE
I have had my fair share of great birthdays, usually coinciding with a national holiday in a country that I’m visiting. But this one was a bit different.
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At this time of year, the rate of infection for colds and flu normally tends to slow down as we enter warmer, springtime months. However, if you’ve been anywhere at all in the world recently, then there’s one word you can’t escape at the moment: Coronavirus. Infection rates, mortality rates and prognostic data are changing daily at the moment. As a new virus none of us have previously been exposed to it, meaning that currently, we have no immunity to it. It’s only through being infected by a virus that our bodies are able to make the right antibodies to not only enable us to recover but to also help protect us from any recurrent and future infection from it. If you’re keen to stay well and keep getting out on your SUP board this spring, then focussing on boosting your immune system is a positive step to take.
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In 2019, the Polar Bear showed the world his teeth. After a fourth place in the toughest SUP race in the world, the Red Bull Heavy Water, the now 19-year old Christian Anderson became World Champion in November in the Technical Race at the ISA World Championships in El Salvador. He also won the U-18 title on the Euro Tour with an 11th place overall. What’s behind the young Dane's rise to power?
SHADENFREUDE
TEST REPORTS
Desire Lines
We were on the outskirts of Helsinki, scouting a new destination for our sup camps. Just 45 minutes’ drive from the city, the untouched nature of the Nuuksio National Park stretched out before us. Mirror-smooth lakes, wild herbs and an impressive fauna waiting to be explored over on board or on foot via the many desire lines made by the land mammals.
Magical. Mystical. Epic.
Alexandra is a club ambassador and SUP racer for Bray Lake; relatively new to the SUP scene she completed her first race season in 2019. She participated in her first international event, the Gla Gla, 2020, and placed 1st Brit, 8th lady and 81st overall, out of a mass start of 637 paddlers. Here she shares the highlights of her first Gla Gla experience.
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Depth Charge
Many of us have are staying away from the beach for a while, some are confined to our homes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still train for the surf. If you try the following for just one week you’ll see results, never mind three months…
