There is only DO!

Have spent the last few days in Durban with the NAISH Stand Up Paddle guys, promoting the sport, riding waves and meeting new and old friends. Durban is a warm city with many beaches and hundreds of waves.

I have been spending a few hours every day surfing waves that I never thought I could surf. Now why did I think that? What's with that... 'I never thought I could...' There is no thinking, right, there is only do, or not do, right? And up until the last few days, I have not surfed these kind of waves and now I have, and I hope I will keep doing things 'I never thought I could', and you know what, even better- I will stop thinking them silly 'never could' thoughts.
I am so excited. So in love with the blue water, clear below, waves above, whatever she gives me, I am grateful for. Loving the ocean and thinking less...

Over under Ocean Adventures: enter NAISH!

The last few days I have been walking on clouds... and water! Naish have given me a beautiful, brand new, fantastic STAND UP PADDLE BOARD! She is yellow, 9 foot tall, quite slim- and I have named her Beastie.

About to enter the water at Kommetjie for Beastie's virgin paddle... and many laughs!

I tried SUPping (as Stand up Paddling is fondly known as) for the first time last year at Earth Wave in Muizenberg, and from the moment my feet touched that deck, I was hooked. I have been a passionate (yet amateur) surfer for a couple of years, but this was something altogether different and magical. It is like walking on water. Back straight, knees slightly bent, chin up... one paddle and you glide along the surface as if you're an ancient Ocean Goddess or River Queen!

Wilderness lagoon, sunset paddle... magic!

It truly is an exhilarating experience! As the board is bigger than a normal longboard, you can catch waves further out and have a longer ride. But I must say, it's the moments between the waves that are transformed into the most incredible ocean encounters...

I intend to use Stand Up Paddling not only as a way to catch waves, but another way of exploring my greatest love, the ocean. I ended 2009 in Wilderness up the east coast of SA where we SUPped at Buffelsbay catching sweet little waves, up the Kaaimans river to the waterfall, family paddling around the lagoon and catching dodgy waves under the bridge.
This is truly an exciting way of approaching the sea!

Family paddling on the Kaaimans River! The more the merrier!

I plan to do all manner of aquatic adventures together with new friend Beastie: catching waves, longer river paddles, expeditions out to sea visiting islands and sea friends- strap a mask to your board and the ocean is your oyster!

The unforgettable day Jeannie and I met the friendliest Dusky Dolphins in all of the Atlantic Ocean, paddling off Glen Beach

Bring on 2010, not only under- but on top of the water!

For more info on boards and learning, check out www.sup-culture.com