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It’s not long to go now until Team GB will be heading out to South America for the ISA Worlds in Nicaragua. The ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddle board Championships (WSUPPC) will be held between the 3rd -11th May 2014. The surf side of the competition will be held at La Boquita, and the flat water /distance competitions will be held on Lake Nicaragua. Athletes from 24 countries worldwide will be battling it out on the water in four disciplines – SUP Surfing, SUP Racing Technical, SUP Racing Distance and Paddleboard Racing (Technical and Distance).
This year GB have a strong team, selected from the BSUPA Nationals in 2013, and will be taking part in all disciplines apart from the women’s prone paddleboard.
Team GB manager, John Harvey has high hopes for Team GB in 2014 –
“Last year the team finished in the top 10 and I think they surprised a lot of people out there and at home. Ollie Shilston and Marie Buchanan were both stand outs in the racing and I think they turned a few of the top guys heads when they saw these unknowns biting at their heels! Ollie was on a hire board and Marie was on an iSUP so their boards were no match for the carbon models in the water next to them. Andre Le Geyt stepped up in Peru and in addition to competing in the surfing also took part in the prone events to help the team get some valuable points.
This year the team are stronger than ever. We have Ollie and Marie back, Matt Barker Smith competing for his first time in the Worlds in the SUP Surf category, young gun Aaron Rowe surfing and racing for the team, Andre Le Geyt returns to the team but this year in the prone event and joining him is Robbo Connor also from Jersey and as quick as a whippet on a prone board. This is also young Holly Bassett’s first year joining the team and it’s great to see such young talent making the team.
Also this will be the first year with the help of financial backing from 2020 BrightStar Mobile Distributor the team have been able to afford to send out their own equipment to the event. It’s always been a massive challenge to get race boards to the events due to the locations but with some good work from Tim Rowe this year we have it all arranged.
All in all the team are strong, training hard and focused on flying the flag.” – John Harvey
The SUPboarder Team have been in contact with the Team GB riders to find out more about their pre-event training, choice of kit and more;
MARIE BUCHANAN – SUP Racing and Long Distance
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? I’m thrilled to be representing team GB for the second year running. Competing at the Worlds in Peru last year was definitely the highlight of my 2013 racing calendar. Its a very special and rewarding experience performing as part of a team and representing your country. Last year the support from the SUP community, friends and family during the event was fantastic, something I was keen to experience a second time around!
How have you been training? And how’s it going? After a long 2013 racing season (which kicked off at the ISA Worlds in February, and included winning the 220km 11 Cities Race and finally the Paris Crossing in December) I decided to take a complete break from competition and on-water training over the winter. Since January I have taken up CrossFit and have been training two or three times per week at Unit6 CrossFit with the specific aim of developing my strength and increasing work capacity. I have also done a bit of SUP surfing, and worked at a slower pace on the water focusing on my technique. This has enabled me to address a few niggling aches and pains which often develop from doing lots of mileage in any sport… SUP included! Its only in the last 4 to 6 weeks that I have really started stepping up my intensity on the water and I’m feeling good; powerful, refreshed and eager to go racing! I have just won the first race of the UK SUP Clubs National Series at the Head of the Dart so it seems to all be working well!
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? Meeting all the competitors and teams from the other countries as well as spending some quality time with Team GB both on and off the water. I’m really excited to experience Nicaragua for the first time and most of all I’m looking forward to racing and hopefully kicking some butt for Team GB!
What are you least looking forward to?! Attempting to converse in Spanish!
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? To be honest I’m not sure which other individual female competitors will be competing in Nicaragua. In terms of teams, the Australian, French and South African teams were all up on the podium last year and are bound to be strong competition for Team GB.
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to meeting whilst out in Nicaragua? There’s this guy called Ollie Shilston from the UK, he’s representing Team GB and he’s a total legend. He’ll be one to look out for in the racing for sure!!
What equipment will you be taking out with you? For the racing I will be shipping over a Starboard Allstar 12.6 x 25″ and 2 x Starboard High aspect paddles. I will also be travelling with my Starboard 7.4pro for a spot of free surfing!
Who are your sponsors? My main sponsors are; Starboard International & Starboard UK, Unit 6 CrossFit, Waterborn SUP and Tideford Organics. I’m extremely grateful to them all for their support.
What is it you particularly love about stand up paddle boarding? I love its pureness and simplicity for getting you out on the water…. just me, my board, paddle and whatever the conditions are that day – no excuses! I also love its diversity; it fulfills all sides of my personality and satisfies all my moods! SUP surfing, exploring, coastal trips, down-winding, competing, chilling with friends and even fishing from my SUP, its all out there!
How’s your Spanish?!! Practically non -existent!
OLLIE SHILSTON – SUP Racing
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? I’m really looking forward to racing at the worlds again this year. It’s a great event with some top notch competition. Hopefully Team GB can improve on last years performance.
How have you been training? And how’s it going? Training has been going well. I have been getting in some consistent training in since the new year with plenty of interval sessions, long paddles and gym work with the guys at Ocean Sports.
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? Some nice weather and good waves and getting some decent nights sleep after my wife and I had a baby boy two months ago!
What are you least looking forward to?! Being away from my wife and boy.
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? There’s a lot of big names competing this year but Casper Steinfath is a great paddler.
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to meeting whilst out in Nicaragua? I’m looking forward to racing the Americans this year. Slater Trout in particular.
What equipment will you be taking out with you? My amazing new Bark 12’6 and two of my favourite ZRE paddles.
Who are your sponsors? Surftech, ZRE Paddles, Lavacore Clothing, LeashLok, Vestpac hydration packs, Ocean Sports training.
What is it you particularly love about stand up paddle boarding? I love paddling far out to sea and catching runs downwind.
How’s your Spanish? !! Gran!!
AARON ROWE – SUP Surfing and Racing.
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? I’m pretty stoked. It’s not something you can get to do every day.
How have you been training? And how’s it going? I’ve just been getting on the water as much as I can. It’s going pretty well and I got 3rd in the first race of the season which is a good confidence booster.
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? Barrels and sunshine!
What are you least looking forward to?! The traveling part… haha.
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? Everyone. It all depends on how people are performing on the day.
What equipment will you be taking out with you? Ahhh… my 7’4 and my 7’6 custom CG paddleboards. And for racing my 12’6×24 CG paddleboard.
Who are your sponsors? Gonepaddling, CG paddleboards, SUPboarder and Forest enterprises.
What is it you particularly love about stand up paddle boarding? Being able to get in the water in all conditions.
How’s your Spanish?!! Hola amigo!
HOLLY BASSETT – SUP Surfing
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? I’m really excited about going to Nicaragua for the ISA Championships. I think it will be an amazing experience to go and paddlesurf with some of the worlds best.
How have you been training? And how’s it going? Yeah, I’ve been training in and out of the water – been working in the gym, working on my balance and strength, as well as getting as much time on the water as possible.
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? Surfing with some of the best paddlesurfers, and riding waves which are different to what I’m used to.
What are you least looking forward to?! Coming back for exams.
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? Not too sure, as I am not very familiar with many of the women who will be going to the competition.
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to meeting whilst out in Nicaragua? Can’t think of one particular person, but really looking forward to meeting some more girls who are doing the sport; as well as everyone who will be competing in the other disciplines.
What equipment will you be taking out with you? I’m going to be taking out my 8ft Fanatic Pro Wave and also a new board I have arriving from from Fanatic which is 7’’11 along with 2/3 paddles, and 3 leashes – as well as a different fin set up.
Who are your sponsors? Fanatic Intl, ION, Kialoa Paddles Intl, Prosport, 2xs, Freestyle Watches.
What is it you particularly love about stand up paddle boarding? Getting out on the water and the surfing aspect of paddle boarding is what I particularly like.
How’s your Spanish?! Shocking!
MATT BARKER SMITH – SUP Surfing
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? It’s nerve racking. It’s all too easy to sit back and watch and say… ahh I can surf better than that guy. In a competition its about the mental game – you either have it or you don’t. I just hope I can hold my mental game and put on a performance I’m happy with.
How have you been training? And how’s it going? Early mornings for the past 3 months, I feel I have achieved some gains. I have been training my legs intensively… smaller boards need stronger legs.
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? Shouting on my team mates and feeling that surge of adrenalin as the team competes against the worlds best !
What are you least looking forward to?! The hour journey to the beach.
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? Who ever is taller than me!…….
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to meeting whilst out in Nicaragua? Kai Lenny. It would be fantastic, if he is going to be out there.
What equipment will you be taking out with you? 7’9 and 8’2 Barker Rapture and Ultra model
Who are your sponsors? Barker Paddlesurf, Ke Nalu, Wavehunters, The SUP HUT.co.uk
What is it you particularly love about stand up paddle boarding? Being out on the water regardless of the conditions.
How’s your Spanish?!! Que ?
ROBBO CONNOR – Prone Distance and Technical Racing
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? I feel very proud to represent team GB at a world event. This will be a massive experience for myself and hopefully I can do the team proud and get some points on the board!
How have you been training? And how’s it going? I have been doing a lot of paddling in the cold winter months. Also I have been doing some Vipr and CV training, so hopefully it all pays off.
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? Looking forward to travelling half way around the world which should be good as this will be the furthest as I have travelled. Also I get to spend two weeks in a hot country paddling… what could be worse?
What are you least looking forward to? I’m looking forward to every part of this trip as I have never done anything thing like this before and will hopefully be one of the best trips I will go on!!
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? Everyone!!! I think as this is my first event of this size I’m just going to get some experience and hopefully get a couple of tips off the top guys in the sport.
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to meeting whilst out in Nicaragua? Hopefully I can get the chance to speak to Brad Gaul from the Australian team as he is a current world champion and one of the best guys in prone paddling boarding at the moment, so it would be really good to have a chat with him.
What equipment will you be taking out with you? I will be taking my Surftech bark 12foot race board out with me.
Who are your sponsors? The team has managed to gain sponsorship from Aqua Pack, life proof covers and 2020. Personally I have a local sponsorship with gonepaddling.com
What is it you particularly love about prone boarding? The best thing about prone boarding is that you don’t have to wait for the swell to build to go for a paddle as you can go in more less any type of conditions or weather.
How’s your Spanish?!! My Spanish is very poor but hopefully it might improve while I’m out there.
ANDRE LE GEYT – Prone Distance and Technical Racing
How do you feel about representing Team GB in the World Paddle Boarding Championships? It feels amazing to be part of Team GB again, to represent your country is pretty special, and the atmosphere at the event is something else! It really inspires you to push your limits and gives you goals to aim for.
How have you been training? And how’s it going? Training has been going well. I have been doing circuit training, running, paddling prone and sup and getting back to my roots loads of surfing.
What part of the trip are you most looking forward to? I’m looking forward to some warm water and waves for sure! I’m also looking forward to watching the top guys do their stuff as seeing it live is something else. I’m also looking forward to seeing Marie on a proper board, hopefully she will medal ?? I also think Ollie will do something special out there as well, it’s going to be exciting.
What are you least looking forward to? I suppose the prone distance race! Hopefully no fog this year?!
Who do you see as your biggest competitor? Well I would say everyone in my race. I would love to move up a few spots from last year and get close to the top ten!!
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to meeting whilst out in Nicaragua? I’m looking forward to catching up with Casper and Belar as we had a great trip in Peru after the world’s last year!! Again all the top guys you can learn so much from just watching them do their thing. They are also very approachable and happy to share their knowledge. It just pushes your own levels.
What equipment will you be taking out with you? For the event I will be using a 12’ bark prone racing board kindly lent to me by the guys at gonepaddling.com here in Jersey, so I’d like to say a massive thanks to them. I will also be taking a couple of Stark shortboards and looking for a barrel or 2??
Who are your sponsors? I’m kindly supported by Snugg Wetsuits, Hatstone Lawyers, Tako Apparel, CG Custom Paddleboards and Stark surfboards.
What is it you particularly love about prone boarding? I love being able to get out on the water everyday on all different things. SUP gives me so many more different options, flatwater to waves to downwinds. It’s hard not to go out there with a smile on your face every day!!
How’s your Spanish?!! My Spanish uhmm!! Dos Cervasa por favour!! What more do you need??
SUPboarder will be following Team GB and the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships in Nicaragua, and bringing you live updates and videos from the event. Go Team GB!
Team GB would like to say a big thank you to all the team sponsors who have made this trip possible including Brightstar, Aquapac, Penguin, Lifeproof, 2XS, Prosport Suncreen, ION, Waterborn, Palmera Local and gonepaddling.com.