From Hayling to Southsea - enjoy socially distanced watersports around our coastline

The owner of Stoked Watersports, at Stokes Bay, Gosport is absolutely right. The number of people hitting the water on paddle boards and kayaks this summer has grown exponentially. Retailers have sold out of equipment and the secondhand market is booming. And it’s not hard to see why. Along with golf, watersports were one of the first outdoor activities allowed when lockdown was lifted with both being naturally socially distanced. Like coiled springs, people were desperate to get outdoors and one of the fastest-growing water activities is stand-up paddle boarding, known as supping. It originated in Hawaii and is a much easier version of surfing, using a paddle, meaning you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy it. Stoked Watersports, which Jonathan runs with his wife Karen, has never been busier. Jonathan, 36, says: ‘There has been a definite increase in people taking part in outdoor activities since Covid, such as kayaking and paddle boarding. ‘Part of the reason is people were stuck in for such a long time. It was like a spring being suppressed and then let go of. ‘People have been coming down from as far away as London, Reading, Milton Keynes. ‘We’re also finding a lot of children have had their school trips cancelled so their parents are treating them. People are just desperate to get out.’ Jonathan believes simple paddle sports create a level playing field on the water whereas sailing is mostly the preserve of those who can afford the eye-watering costs associated with it. ‘To do watersports you either have to belong to a sailing club or own your own equipment – and that can be very expensive’, says Jonathan. ‘There are very few places where you can hire equipment, especially in a beach location like this. Here you can turn up and be out on the water in 10 minutes. It is incredibly beneficial for your wellbeing.’ And there has been a knock-on economic effect. Jonathan says: ‘It’s fantastic for the area, especially at this time. There are a lot of cafes around here that have had a very difficult few months. ‘We’re drawing people in and they’re spending money locally’. It’s a similar picture over at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre on Eastern Road, Portsmouth, where they have seen a massive surge in visitors hiring kayaks and paddle boards and taking courses. Chief executive Richard Percy says: ‘Since our centres reopened last month, we’ve been delighted to see that the appetite for getting out on the water is stronger than ever. ‘Being on the water is a clear antidote to the isolation of lockdown and we know from our foundation-led research that the physical and mental health benefits of being active in this blue space is key, particularly during these times.’ But organisations are still playing catch-up for the months they were forced to close, adds Richard. ‘This is undoubtedly a challenging time for seasonal organisations such as ours. ‘Our centres have to operate at limited capacity due to social distancing measures but we have still been working hard to offer multiple-activity weeks for parents who need that break, most of our RYA courses, private tuition and kit hire. ‘More than ever, we are welcoming the clear demand from our customers wanting to enjoy experiences on the water and on their doorstep this summer.’ As her paddle cuts through the water, Emily McDonald takes a deep breath as her eyes fall upon the glorious vista in front of her. It’s Hayling at its finest, the sun bouncing off the water and sails of little boats on the horizon. Emily, 36, set up Hayling Island Sup Girls last year to encourage more women to get out on the water and has been astonished at the recent uptake. ‘We now have 622 members from all over Hampshire and about 300 of them have joined since lockdown, it's incredible’, she enthuses. ‘We support and encourage each other, and it’s something you can do in a group, but still socially distance.’ With support from local instructors Nick Kingston, and Andy Warner from Sandbar Sup, members have been enjoying regular clinics on safety and technique. Emily has been supping in the waters around the Island since January 2019 – when she was 38 weeks pregnant. ‘There's nothing like it to help you relax’, says the mum-of-two who by day is a careers adviser but loves nothing more than letting her cares slip away on sunset sups. ‘Although I’ve always loved the sea, I’m quite scared of it,’ she says. ‘I had to overcome my fears to do it but, actually, you’re not in the water when you paddle board, you’re on it. ‘It's really helped my confidence and mental health. Before, I wouldn’t wear shorts because I didn’t like my legs. Now I’m at the beach all the time and I just don’t care.’ Paddle boarding is such a huge part of Emily and her family’s lives that she is now an ambassador for Fatsticks – a watersports equipment firm. Jonathan agrees that it’s something the whole family can enjoy. ‘It’s incredibly positive and we always do our absolute best to make sure people have a positive experience. Once they’ve tried kayaking or paddle boarding they can’t wait to come back. ‘That feeling of freedom just can't be beaten.’ Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaigning on your behalf for our city.