I’m a lucky lady, but a few weekends ago really took the biscuit!

I wasn’t so lucky this birthday, (well what I actually mean is I wasn’t spoilt quite as much as usual) Steve promised a special present when we had moved and found something I really really wanted which I had completely forgotten about and then a few weekends ago I saw it.

We had been out surfing when we arrived on the Sunshine Coast but in the process we had lost the square bolt for the fin on the beach, so later that day we found a surf shop and went to get a new one. Inside the shop was a lot of nice surfing kit, including SUPs (stand up paddle boards, you might have seen celebrities having a go). Steve had had one for a couple of years and was interested in getting something new as he had progressed as far as he could on his old one. He found one, liked it and asked to take it for a test ride, I was lent a ladies one, so off we went.

We had a great paddle enjoying the sun, the view, watching Pelicans chilling on the sand and the vibe of people fishing, kayaking and generally playing around in the river.

So a few weekends ago we went to pickup Steves new board and I thought I’d have a look at some second hand boards so I could go out paddling with Steve as I really liked the idea of the sport. The board I had taken for a test ride was the same as Steves’ but slightly shorter, however I wasn’t overly excited about having the same design as Steve or the yellow and black colour combo (typical girl!), we would look like one of those couples wearing the same jacket, not very cool out on the water!

As soon as we walked in the store my jaw hit the ground, there was a brand new ladies limited edition board (the same spec and brand as Steves’) but with hibiscus flowers, birds and flowers printed on it, OMG this was it!

And then it got better, the reverse of the board was lush too in an aqua colour with more hibiscus flowers, I WAS IN LOVE!

This is the board and its specifications and full design by the guys that made her from Naish, they’re cool and from Hawaii. It’s very versatile and suits flat water paddling and getting some waves too.

I was super excited and wondered if I would be lucky enough to walk away with this board. After some serious negotiating the dudes did the deal and she was mine!

We paddled all that weekend and battled in the messy surf, we still felt it in our thighs arms shoulders, backs and abdominals for days after. What great fun!

This Saturday we went again and I attempted standing up and trying to catch waves but unfortunately the weather wasn’t totally on our side with a strong onshore wind creating the only waves out there which we’re really difficult get a ride on. Sunday we opted for a paddle on flat water instead.

I’m really enjoying this new sport, it mixes my paddling experience and surfing and it’s even better being able to go on the water frequently, so far we’ve been out 2-4 times a week. Today it’s Monday and I’m already looking forward to the next time Steve is home and we can go out SUPing again, especially to try and catch some waves