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Day 1 – Paddle across Scotland Winter 2020

 

Day 1 – We arrived in fort William with a day to spare for a reason, prep time. We were well aware that we needed a chance to go over our gear one last time and also prepare the boards as well as our heads for the journey that lay in front of us, rushing this just wasn’t an option. Having some spare time to check out our first landings was also a huge advantage as we knew these would be in the pitch black bays of Loch Linnhe and navigating the shoreline at Caol would be more then difficult with zero visibility.


As the day drew onward the nerves began to creep in and we were all feeling apprehensive about what lay ahead. Every spare moment was spent looking out to the lochs and checking the weather forecasts and tide times. During the afternoon it became apparent that the conditions were worsening and we could see the evidence of this from the hotel window, the clouds began to form out at sea and roll toward land and the wind slowly crept upward until the water was filled with white caps and the hail started lashing down. We always knew that this was a real possibility. During the winter, conditions were never going to be on our side but I think in our heads we were all praying for calm waters on launch morning, however no such luck.


We spent the evening preparing the boards and then headed out to Corran ferry for one last check of the launch point. When we arrived the rain was relentless and looking out into the darkness of loch Linnhe was slightly intimidating. We were all well aware that in a few hours we would be launching from that spot into the abyss like blackness of the night to catch the incoming tide and the weather was showing no signs of letting up. Accepting the inevitable, we headed back to the hotel and tried to grab a few hours sleep before the chaos began and the journey finally got underway.

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Is it worth getting up early for a paddle?

Back in March 2019, we were having a few good days of weather, cold in the mornings but heating up nicely through the day. We made the decision to go for an early paddle and watch the sun rise. This all sounds good until you start to look at the sunrise times and what time you need to meet up, what time to get on the water ready for the sun to rise.

 

We met at 0510 am, so a 04.30 am wake up. Now I really do love my bed and it doesn’t take much for me to make little excuses up in my head why I shouldn’t get up. I was meeting a friend so this helped motivate me, I can’t let Pete down, he knows where I live. The van was loaded up the night before but I didn’t anticipate scraping ice off the windows.

We arrived at the Barbican Plymouth, just a little way up towards the sound. It was still dark but you could see the light starting to show on the horizon. The water was like glass, not a ripple to be seen or anyone else for that matter. We paddled out and headed right towards the Tinside Lido and towards Millbay docks. The sun didn’t disappoint, it rose magnificently glowing a deep red staining the water with a red glow.

The cold fingers, the tired eyes, the early rise was all worth it! Until the next time my friend……

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HISTORY OF HATHA

Established in 2013, by Dan Sulsh, whom has over 20 years of experience in surfing and river kayaking, has merged his skills and knowledge into the stand up paddle boards we know today. The SUP boards on the market at this time were based on large surfboards or modified windsurf boards. He had the initiative and knowledge to make paddle boards not only look better but perform to the highest standards. He took the basic design and developed them to unite the board with the user, maximising performance and efficiency. Whether it is the unique hull design on the Crane or the layered bamboo veneer on the Eagle, the same level of craftsmanship oozes from every board in their range. Hatha Paddle Boards strive to use the latest technologies, their commitment on improving board design makes them true innovation leaders. His vision was not just to make high quality paddle boards but he also wanted them to be affordable for everyone to enjoy.

The meaning behind the logo

The name Hatha derives from the practice hatha yoga, which means “wilful or forceful”, it is also known as the yoga of activity, the sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha).

All of the stand up paddle boards have names that relate to yoga poses, cobra, plank and even the warrior. The Hatha logo has a variety of meanings on first look it is a water drop or even an inverted SUP paddle blade.

The deeper meaning is that it resembles the yoga posture “raised namaste”. The water droplet being the person’s head, with shoulders and arms stretching above, with hands together. Stand up paddle boarding is a core strength practice/sport just like yoga, so the basic principles apply to them both. Not only is it about using the correct form and posture but it is also about channeling inner strength.

Hatha Paddle Boards are continually evolving their products and ideas. They not only have the first hybrid paddle board in the UK, the mighty “Crane” but they also have the “Warrior” a hybrid board that has merged a wing tailed surfboard with a general purpose cruiser. Please continue to follow Hatha Paddle Boards through their continual journey and help us to carve the future in stand up paddle boarding.

HATHA is not just a brand it is a lifestyle.