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SB / What got you into SUP and when did you first get involved with the club?
JH / Started SUP Surfing in 2010 after Andre let me have a go on his 12ft Gong. Before that I had been a pure surfer for 20 years and SUP made me fall in love all again with surfing. My first SUP surf board was a 12ft Big Easy!
In 2011 I went to La Torche event and competed in the trials making it to the semis. Up until then I didn’t know SUP racing existed. I think I came back from that event and ordered myself a Starboard open ocean and around the same time Tim Rowe ordered his rest Naish. In those early days there was only a few of us with race boards and we start to explore the coast and attempt some hectic DW runs. In the early days we would jump off the rocks in the 6ft plus swells and paddle out past big rock and down troths where you lost sight of everyone else.
With regards to joining the club as I was one of the key people involved with its creation I was there from the beginning.
SB / Do you have any affiliations to a particular brand, what kit do you use?
JH / In the early days I had a deal with Starboard but after competing in the Worlds in Peru in 2012 I got a deal with Fanatic. I tried Hobie for a bit when Fanatic went through that funny board phase but I’m proud to say I’m back on the new 2016 12’6 from Fanatic which is just amazing in the flat and surf.
SB / Is there club kit available for new paddlers to try?
JH / Besides the Red Airs for the SUPER GROMS we don’t have any other kit but we do have a bunch of great members who are always willing to let other try their gear.
SB / Do club members have any other sporting aims, for example triathlon or SUPBikeRun?
JH / I know the normal gang will be doing the rounds in 2016 competing in the UK and Europe. There is a rumor that Andre may be one of 10 doing that crazy race in the States but that needs confirmation.
What will be happening in 2016 is a round the island race on the 23rd July. This year Andre Le Geyt, Aaron Rowe and Chester Mackley did it on 14ft SUP with Rene Rainmondo and Alan Fernandes completing it on OC-1’s
In 2016 we want to get more people involved and create a relay option with teams of 5.
The purpose of this exciting new endurance event is to raise awareness and valuable funds for the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation, a local charity that supports families in Jersey with sick children needing treatment in the UK. More information can be found on the Face book page Jersey Round Island Challenge.
SB / If you had to describe the club as a food item what would it be and why?
JH / Pizza because everyone loves pizza. You can have it savory or sweet, thick or thin.
Although Jersey is a little off the beaten path the vibrant SUP scene and weather that is typically better than the rest of the UK makes it a great destination for a SUP holiday. Nothing could demonstrate this more than the JPC winter race series that’s been running while the rest of the UK race scene deals with unusual winter weather conditions. As a race destination the annual Battle of The Rock is definitely one to check out with close racing in a beautiful part of the UK. You can find out more about the Jersey Paddle Club from their Facebook Page.
If you would like your local club or school to feature in SUPboarders ‘Club Focus’ series then please get in contact with us here via our Contact us form or email Chris Jones at chris@supboardermag.com.