Best length paddle for SUP Stand Up Paddling ?

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best paddle length for supping

 

best paddle length for supping

What is the best paddle length for you?

Stand up paddling is such a relaxed way to enjoy your time on the water.

Stand up paddle boarding is becoming more popular each year. So much people have begun to enjoy stand-up paddling having fun on the water, spend time with family and friends. While doing this you can also improve your fitness level.

Perhaps you have found your board and your paddle. You can basically start.

Before you get into the water with your board, it is best that you put your paddle in the correct length.

Step 1

Stretch your left or right arm above your head.

 

Step 2

Enlarge your paddle to the same hight of the arm that is stretched above your head.

 

Step 3

The stretched arm rests relaxed on handle of the paddle. This is the correct lenght.

 

5 tips for stand up paddling in winter

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The summer is over but you still want to keep stand-up paddling in winter?

Well you are so right. Why stop? But you also do not want to freeze your butt of in the cold or come into unsafe situations.

Here are 5 tips to help you along.

 

Tip 1 – What to wear, when stand up paddling in the winter?

Before you step out of the door. Check if you are wearing the correct clothing.

 

The wetsuit

The wetsuit has been the winter choice for a lot of  stand up paddlers. Check out the world wide web for all the different choices, designs and prices. There is a huge choice of wetsuits available from 7mm full on winter suits with built in hoods to 2mm summer suits. It all depends where, when and how long you want to paddle. Just during a bit chilly weather or during deep cold winter days?

 

The thicker the suit the warmer it is but with a trade off in flexibility, and each paddler will find their preferred combination of warmth and flexibility.

 

Wetsuits can be relatively inexpensive, it’s very easy to find one that fits perfectly and they are pretty robust and will last for years with a little care.

 

Dry suit

A new development brought to the paddling world is the dry suit. Filling the space between wetsuits and more traditional dry suits these are designed specifically for Stand Up Paddlers who do not need the protection and bulk of a surface immersion suit, for faster paddling and limited time in the water.

Like the more common dry suit there is no insulation in the SUP dry suit so a base layer will need to be worn underneath, top and bottom. Marketed at those who want to paddle fast the semi-dry suit is also a great solution for many more leisurely paddlers.

 

Do not want to buy a wetsuit nor a dry suit?

Well you can wear a pair of warm longjohns /ski underwear under your rain trousers as an option.

For your upper body, you can wear a warm midlayer, but try to avoid cotton, this soaks in the water and that will keep you longer cold. Over your midlayer a waterproof jacket is fine.

 

Tip3: What to wear for head and feet?

A fleece or neoprene tuque is great for the head. A fleece beanie or anything warm you prefer to wear is also good.

For your feet a pair neoprene shoes are great.

 

You will need some waterproof gloves or neoprene gloves for your hands. Do not want to invest? Then just your wintergloves. Preferable not the thin knitted gloves. These do not protect from the wind.

 

Tip 4: What to take with you during a tour in winter?

  • Keep it safe, use a leash
  • When it is getting darker a waterproof white light attached to your board or body is good for visibility and others can see you.
  • Dry bag
  • Thermos with something warm to drink
  • Water
  • Snack of own choise
  • Towel
  • Waterproof bag for cell phone.
  • Extra pair of clothes

 

Tip 5: Going to paddle in dark cold weathers?

Let somebody know where you will be paddling and for how long you are planning to do so.

When the weather changes a lot that day. Just recheck the weather forecast, so you will not be in the middle of heavy wind or a rain storm.

 

 

Stand Up Paddling – Pearl River China

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Before you can click to the video..

Feel me on my forest gump trip..

That day .. for no particular reason..i decided to go for a little run..

Forrest_BiggestBeard_end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So i had a very forest gump feeling and decided to go for a little paddle…

Lost on the Pearl river China.

After days in the factory it was time to to recover from all the ZEBEC glue damp.

I snatched a FIT OCEAN Touring iSUP from the batch that as waiting ship to Rotterdam and walked to the nearest river connecting to the Pearl River. This river runs all the way down to Hongkong.

I actually run into my friend Phibi on my way down who informed not to be sure things where legal, so it was a quick pump with bystanders looking a the strangest inflatble object ever and hop hop on board.

Paddled 3 hours straight then had enough. Rain, a stinky river, fatique, my gopro battery almost dead, time to exit somewhere with people/ light, possibly a taxi.

It turned out to be at the foot of a snake restaurant here i was kindly invited to eat. Paired with some chinese beer it as quite a nice bite actually.

Exploring on an iSUP is fun, much more then just paddling, can´t wait for my next adventure.

Mark

Equipment used during trip: FIT OCEAN Cruise 12 x 34 x 6 

HAVING FUN IN THE WATER AT HYÈRES

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h2Driving into Hyères, you feel that your vacation is starting. With all the palm trees around you, clear blue sky and a lovely soft wind to cool you down.

Hyères is situated in the South of France on the Mediterranean coast, it is the oldest resort in the French Riviera. With over 30 km of white sandy beaches, 3 beautiful and unspoilt islands Hyères has been a popular tourist destination for years.

There is a stunning old town in Hyères with a wonderful selection of medieval buildings which is well worth a visit. The old town is a dream location for architecture lovers with stunning Gothic churches, renaissance doorways and beautiful châteaus all set against stunning sea views.

Palm trees form an important part of Hyères and can be regularly seen throughout the resort lining the wide boulevards. There is a great variety of Mediterranean architecture around Hyères including a number of exotic hotels and villas which lend the resort a Moorish feel.

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WATERSPORTS

Love to be on the water?

Well, Hyères is a great place to be for your water activities.

Hyères  is a popular watersports destination. The Almanarre bay offers particularly good conditions for sailing, wind surfing and kite surfing. Throughout the year there are a number of prestigious regattas and competitions held in Hyères and a number of top professionals choose to base themselves in Hyères as the ideal spot to train.

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SAILING

Hyères is a superb location for sailing with generally stronger winds during the spring months and calmer breezes during the height of summer. There are plenty of sheltered bays, marinas and harbors and it is an excellent location for both beginners and experienced sailors.

WIND SURFING

Hyères is extremely popular with windsurfers and is often referred to as the European capital of windsurfing. The conditions around Hyères lend themselves particularly well to windsurfing and it is a great location for both beginners and experienced windsurfers.

KITE SURFING

waters of the Mediterranean are the perfect location to develop your kite surfing skills. With a lot of Kite surfers around, there is always someone to help you when you just got started with this sport.

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STAND UP PADDLING

The great thing about Hyères is, that there are great water activities where you need wind. But there are as well enough places, with beautiful beaches for Stand Up Paddling.

Stand up paddle is a great way to discover the hidden paradisiacal creeks, caves and beaches only accessible by water.

As a beginner, you can try the sport out by yourself or get your first lessons. When you get the hang of it you can get more adventurous and try out Stand Up Paddling over waves.

Stand Up Paddling is a great way to relax and still get some exercise done. You can take it to any level where you want it to go. At any time, you can just jump in the water, have a swim and continue paddling.

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Here are five places for great SUP holidays in 2015

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Close your eyes and dream about the warm sun on your skin.

The sound of the waves, slight wind brushes through your hair.

Relaxing in combination with some activities, like biking, jogging or

Stand up paddling.

Here are five places for great SUP holidays to in 2015.

Europe

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When living in Europe, you don`t need to travel far exotic places to find good spots to Stand Up Paddling.

Costa Brava, where the waters are mostly calm and therefore a great place to learn SUP. One of the most romantic, gorgeous, unspoilt stretches of coast in Europe.

What to see

Gloriously wild in parts and tastefully manicured in others, the Costa has some of the finest Blue Flag beaches in Europe, broad and sandy stretches to elegant horseshoe bays and secluded smugglers’ coves.

The Costa is also home to some of the most scenic and important Greco/Roman and Iberian archaeological sites in Europe

When to go

A decent dose of sunshine is reasonably guaranteed most of the year round. If you’re not bound by school holidays and can visit during May, June or September, these are brilliant months to enjoy the joint benefits of warm temperatures and lower hotel rates while avoiding the crowds of July and August.

For sizzling heat, high summer is the time to choose. If you do come during those peak months, you’ll find the region busy but not over-run.

What to pack

When going for a longer paddle session, we recommend to wear a Fitocean UPF 50+ Protect Tee.

CARIBIC

ARUBA

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Aruba: well known for the high winds, where you can find waves to flow of.

The crystal clear water of Fisherman`s huts are ideal for a Stand Up Paddle board session. Because of the standing height of the water you can see both deeper into the water and further across the surface of the water. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and have a good workout.

When to go

The best time is from February until September. With temperatures over 30° Celsius.

The so-called “rainy season” runs from late October into the beginning of January, but most of this rain falls in the form of short, sharp showers and mainly overnight.

What to pack

Your bikini J, when you like to flow of the nice waves you can wear our protect tight.

 

LIGURIA / Italy

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This beautiful place at the nordcoast of Italy is great when you want to learn how to ride the waves on your Stand Up Paddle board.

There are various small hotels and camping places near the sea.

With great italien restaurants, you can relax and enjoy the great sea food.

 

When to go

As we are not that far in the south of europe, it is best to check the weather a few weeks before you plan to go.

Generally speaking, may until october is great.

ASIA

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Phuket is one of the most unique and great places in the world, and provides a perfect backdrop in which to paddle. With stunning views, warm crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches it is hard to beat. So what better way to take it all in than slapping on the sunscreen, jumping on a board and going exploring?

Get your `Om` on. Thailand waters are peaceful surroundings to practice yoga on your Paddle board.

 

When to go

High Season (Nov–Mar)

cool and dry season follows the monsoons, meaning the landscape is lush and temperatures are comfortable.

Western Christmas and New Year’s holidays bring crowds and rates increase 50% at the beaches.

Shoulder Season (Apr–Jun, Sep & Oct)

Hot and dry (April to June).

Beaches aren’t crowded and the ocean provides the air-con.

September and October are ideal for the north and the Gulf coast.

 

Low Season (Jul–Oct)

Monsoon season can range from afternoon showers to major flooding.

Some islands shut down and boat service is limited during stormy weather.

Be flexible with travel plans.

 

What to pack

Think easy, think light. Sweat-wicking layers that can wash and dry quickly, because it can get legitimately hot. Roll in your quick dry Twisted Tank.

 

NORTH AMERICA

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Here a view places in north America that is worth checking out:

Puerto Vallarta’s ideal for stand up paddleboarding. Warm water and the wind-sheltered Banderas Bay. Take a covered boat offshore to Las Islas Marietas, a protected wildlife sanctuary, and spend an afternoon paddling above coral reefs, floating by the arid coastline. (pacificpaddle.net)

Mission Bay Aquatic Center takes beginner paddlers a hundred feet into San Diego’s Mission Bay and teaches them to downward dog (plus a whole series of yoga positions) on their boards. ($39; mbaquaticcenter.com)

Desert Adventure’s two-day SUP trip. You’ll join four paddlers and a guide at Hoover Dam on the lake’s southern shore and paddle down the Colorado River’s Black Canyon, a 600-foot deep cleft in the basalt of Nevada and Arizona’s desert. Camp gear is strapped to boards and nights are spent on secluded beaches. The highlight: paddling to the back of Emerald Cave, a green-water cavern barely big enough for four boards. ($339, all-inclusive; kayaklasvegas.com)

Warm vegetable salad Chicken breast in Almond coat

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It`s raining outside. Dark clouds over the Rigi mountain in Switzerland.

The view is beautiful and dramatic. Rain splashes against the windows.

Nearly lunch time. We are craving for something that reminds of nice weather in the Mediterranean.

What we came up with, was a warm vegetable salad with a chicken breast filled with pest in a an almond crust coating.

Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1  skinless, boneless chicken breast.
  • 1 table spoon pesto
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • butter
  • Garlic powder or 1 fresh chopped garlic clove
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • 1  chopped carrot
  • 1 sliced zucchini
  • 1 handful of arugula salad
  • 2 big brown mushrooms

Method

  • Slice the chicken breast in the length. Not all the way, so it opens like a butterfly.
  • Season the outside with salt, pepper and garlic.
  • Turn the breast around and fill with pesto.
  • You can keep the chicken breast closed with a tooth pick.
  • In a shallow bowl put in the egg white. In another bowl the almond flour.
  • Dip the chicken breast in the egg white and then press both sides on the almond flour. Making sure that the chicken breast is totally covered with the almond flour.
  • In a skillet heat the butter and fry the chicken breast on both sides, until the inside is no longer pink.
  • While the chicken is on, heat another skillet. Add 1 table spoon of peanut oil.
  • Fry the vegetables (except for the arugula salad) until nearly soft.
  • Add the arugula salad.
  • Stir-fry for another minute.
  • Serve.

 

FITSPIRATION

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Every morning you look at yourself in the mirror with a smile or with some criticism.
You want to reach your goal of being fit, toned, sexy or just trying to lose that extra bit on the hips.
Whatever your goal is, do not give up.
You are worth every bit. The road to your goal, might not be always that easy but is possible.

x1
FOCUS
Concentrate on what is important for you. There will be friends, colleagues or family that will try to pull you down. All because they do not understand what you do or why you want to reach your goals. Do not focus on them. Yes, it can hurt but that should not stop you.

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BELIEVE
Trust that you can do this. Even when you see all these gorgeous women. Everybody walks their own road. Success in any form, does not happen overnight. Trust, know you will get there no matter how long it will take.
VISION
See yourself as the person you want to be.
When your vision becomes clear so too do the steps you need to take to make it happen. See all that is beautiful. Don`t concentrate on all the `defaults`.
HONESTY
Be true to yourself. Be totally and exactly who you are. Show yourself, shine your light upon the world.
FITSPIRATION.
Believe in yourself and all that you are capable of. Every positive step that you make, will inspire other women to follow and do the same.
The road to your goal can be the inspiration for others.

x3

Dates and Coconut Brownies. No sugar no flour

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Dates and Coconut Brownies.

 

In the morning I have my ritual of eating my healthy muesli. And for lunch a salad or meat/chicken with vegetables.

Later on the day I drink a coffee, preferable with something sweet.

Sweet snacks, to stop my craving. Then I think about chocolate….mmm. This is for me a no go. So I eat a piece of fruit instead. But doing this everyday gets a bit boring. A woman needs her chocolate, especially at her time of the month. When it is that time and I don`t eat chocolate, well look out. I can get a bit aggressive. So to save others and myself, I made these brownies.

The sweet base, comes from dates. The fine structure is made with shredded coconut and finely chopped/grained almond.

The brownies were already a success, when my kids were licking the spoon with dough.

When the brownies were ready, I wanted to photograph them and  share this recipe with you. So I prepared my photoshoot. Went to the kitchen to get a knife. When I came back, there was a piece missing! Looked at my youngest son, his mouth was full with chocolate. I could only laugh. I guess the brownies tasted good and approved by my kids. I went ahead and tasted also a small piece, my eyes closed automatically as I tasted the sweet chocolate. YES. I found a snack that I could take to work on and eat with my afternoon coffee or tea!

j

Makes 10 brownies

  • 200g dates
  • ½ cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup ground almonds
  • Handfull of your favorite unsalted nuts, chopped
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup raw cacao
  • 2 table spoons coconut oil
  • Pinch of salt

lmm

 

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 180C.
  2. Cut the dates in small pieces.
  3. Put the small pieces of dates in your food processor together with the 3 eggs. Blend until smooth.
  4. Add backing powder, coconut and almond and cacao.
  5. Place into a lined baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle your favorite nuts on the mixture, press very softly into mixture, but still visible.
  7. Cook for about twenty minutes, until you can pierce the brownie cake with a fork bringing it out dry.
  8. Remove the tray and allow it to cool for about ten minutes – this is really important as it needs this time to stick together!
  9. Remove the brownies from the tray, leaving it another few minutes before cutting them into squares.

Enjoy!

 

MY MUESLI GONE ALL TROPICAL ON ME

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For some of us breakfast is not always the most relaxing moment of the day. Especially when you have kids that need to go to school. Before we run out of the door, we eat mostly Bircher Muesli. Normally we eat our Bircher Muesli with fruit as raspberries, banana and blueberries.

This time we looked at all the great fruit that we had and changed our muesli routine by using totally other fruit.

MUESLI

 

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • ½ cap coconut water
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 papaya
  • 2 passion fruits
  • 1 ripe banana

MUESLI2

Method

The night before, put the oats, into a bowl or container, pour over the coconut water and coconut milk. Mix well, then cover and pop into the fridge overnight.

In the morning, chop the banana, into little chunks.

Slice the papaya open, take out the seeds and chop (don`t use the skin).

Mix well.

Cut the passion fruit in half and drizzle over you muesli.

 

A great meal to eat at home, or to take with you in a little container.

Tip: Make more, so you only need to take in the morning what you need.

You can make as well different muesli and safe in the refrigerator. This way your muesli tastes different every day.