#sb team

“Yahoo! We did it!” The red haired woman pumped her fists in the air.

“HOW do you still have that much energy after-”

The blond woman was interrupted by a smaller voice. “We-we did it. We seriously did it!”

Many years have passed since SUPboarder did their first interview with the young gun, and so after his recent win at the BSUPA UK SUP Surf Nationals we thought it was about time to catch up with the slightly bigger and hairier Aaron Rowe…

A little less hairy but just as many boards!

SB/ So Aaron, where are you living now and what are you up to aswell as SUPing?! AR/ I’m currently living on the sunny island of Jersey, working full time as a welding and fabrication apprentice. This year I mainly focused on work and a few competitions e.g the BSUPA series. And when I’m not working or competing I’m probably just kicking back or surfing normally.

SB/ You’ve got where you are today by working hard on and off the water. How did you manage to do it all? – SUP and study? AR/ As long as you have the correct balance between work and play its easy. But there’s usually more play than work haha…

SB/ You could have easily gone off and chased more of the competition scene, but instead when you left school you decided to get an apprenticeship. Was that a tough decision and do you feel it was the right one?! AR/ I don’t feel as if it was a tough decision it felt like the right thing, as once I have a trade I can take it all over the world and use it to set my self up.

SB/ You’ve been working with Lokahi for a few years now. How ‘s it all going? And what kit are you riding at present? AR/ I’m loving it, the guys are all super cool and accommodating. They listen to feedback and work on it. I feel we have a really close working bond. I’m currently riding the 7,4×26 custom pro. For race I have the Canoa 12,6×24 and my secret weapon is the 14×21!

SB/ Congratulations on your recent win at the BSUPA British SUP Surf Nationals. You’ve come close many times before, so how does it feel this time to have finally won ? AR/ Yeah probably the best feeling to date, I’ve been chasing it since I was 14 and it feels so good to have finally accomplished one of my goals.

SB/ Competition surfing is very different from free surfing, and not for everyone. Which do you prefer? AR/ I would probably have to say I prefer competition surfing as I love the edge and competitiveness. But on the other hand nothing beats a good free surf. The key to both is just have fun.

Photo : Tim Axford

SB/ What changes have you seen in SUP since you started paddling? AR/ SUP has changed so much since I started. The boards have got smaller, narrower and a lot more progressive. It has also grown so much, theres a lot more people paddling now and definitely more surfers making the switch.

SB/ Paddle height is always a hot discussion topic in the SUP world. What height do you have your paddle set for surf/racing and why?  AR/ My surf paddle is about level with my nose, and my race is below a full arm extension. For racing my paddle is longer so that i can gain more reach with my paddle strokes, I also have a shorter race paddle that i use for sprint races or BOPS as the shorter race paddle allows me to have a quicker paddle stroke. My surf paddle is short as it’s easier to manoeuvre around whilst on the wave and isn’t getting in my way, the shortness also allows me to sprint for waves.

SB/ Who should we be looking out for on the SUP grom team at the moment? AR/ I would have to say the Axford brothers ( Sam & Toby) they’re both killing it at the moment.

UK BSUPA Nationals Photo : Tim Rowe

Footage filmed by Time Rowe at the UK BSUPA Nationals. Competition surfing isn’t always about surfing in epic waves. It’s about speed, flow, paddle changes and making as many changes of direction as possible in the critical section of the wave. So watch and learn kids!

SB/ Tell us your best SUP moments to date AR/ Winning the World Tour trials at La Torche Getting a wild card into the main event in la torche a year later Representing Great Britain in Nicaragua Competing in the trials of the world tour in California Winning the British Title

SB/ Everyone seems to have a SUP wish list. Whats on yours?!!  AR/ I would have to say anywhere with barreling left handers with the sun shinning and a pizza and beer waiting for me when I’ve finished! Oh and I’d like a trip to the wave pool in Dubai as haven’t been there yet.

Aaron competing in Nicugrua Photo : Simon Bassett

SB/ What are your 5 top tips for younger paddlers wanting to get into SUP? AR/

Don’t listen to the haters

Stay focused

Work hard

Set goals

Most importantly have fun

SB/ What advice would you give to someone wanting to paddle a more unstable board? AR/ The key is to find the balance point of the board, set a nice comfortable stance up and just relax for the more you tense up the more you’ll wobble and be swimming with the fishes.

And this photo pretty much sums Aaron up. Racing ASBO style. Give him a free ride and he will take it but always with a smile on his face. Photo : Tim Rowe

SB/ And finally, what are your goals for the year ahead? AR/ Finish my apprenticeship, hold on to my British title, and work on doing some more contests abroad.

Great catching up with you again Aaron. The SUPboarder team wishes you all the best over the next year on and off the water. 

About time / Aaron Rowe interviewed

Aaron Rowe or ‘ASBO’ as he’s better known in the SUP world, has grown up with a board under his feet.

Many years have passed since SUPboarder did their first interview with the young gun, and so after his recent win at the BSUPA UK SUP Surf Nationals we thought it was about time to catch up with the slightly bigger and hairier Aaron Rowe…

A little less hairy but just as many boards!

SB/ So Aaron, where are you living now and what are you up to aswell as SUPing?! AR/ I’m currently living on the sunny island of Jersey, working full time as a welding and fabrication apprentice. This year I mainly focused on work and a few competitions e.g the BSUPA series. And when I’m not working or competing I’m probably just kicking back or surfing normally.

SB/ You’ve got where you are today by working hard on and off the water. How did you manage to do it all? – SUP and study? AR/ As long as you have the correct balance between work and play its easy. But there’s usually more play than work haha…

SB/ You could have easily gone off and chased more of the competition scene, but instead when you left school you decided to get an apprenticeship. Was that a tough decision and do you feel it was the right one?! AR/ I don’t feel as if it was a tough decision it felt like the right thing, as once I have a trade I can take it all over the world and use it to set my self up.

SB/ You’ve been working with Lokahi for a few years now. How ‘s it all going? And what kit are you riding at present? AR/ I’m loving it, the guys are all super cool and accommodating. They listen to feedback and work on it. I feel we have a really close working bond. I’m currently riding the 7,4×26 custom pro. For race I have the Canoa 12,6×24 and my secret weapon is the 14×21!

SB/ Congratulations on your recent win at the BSUPA British SUP Surf Nationals. You’ve come close many times before, so how does it feel this time to have finally won ? AR/ Yeah probably the best feeling to date, I’ve been chasing it since I was 14 and it feels so good to have finally accomplished one of my goals.

SB/ Competition surfing is very different from free surfing, and not for everyone. Which do you prefer? AR/ I would probably have to say I prefer competition surfing as I love the edge and competitiveness. But on the other hand nothing beats a good free surf. The key to both is just have fun.

Photo : Tim Axford

SB/ What changes have you seen in SUP since you started paddling? AR/ SUP has changed so much since I started. The boards have got smaller, narrower and a lot more progressive. It has also grown so much, theres a lot more people paddling now and definitely more surfers making the switch.

SB/ Paddle height is always a hot discussion topic in the SUP world. What height do you have your paddle set for surf/racing and why?  AR/ My surf paddle is about level with my nose, and my race is below a full arm extension. For racing my paddle is longer so that i can gain more reach with my paddle strokes, I also have a shorter race paddle that i use for sprint races or BOPS as the shorter race paddle allows me to have a quicker paddle stroke. My surf paddle is short as it’s easier to manoeuvre around whilst on the wave and isn’t getting in my way, the shortness also allows me to sprint for waves.

SB/ Who should we be looking out for on the SUP grom team at the moment? AR/ I would have to say the Axford brothers ( Sam & Toby) they’re both killing it at the moment.

UK BSUPA Nationals Photo : Tim Rowe

Footage filmed by Time Rowe at the UK BSUPA Nationals. Competition surfing isn’t always about surfing in epic waves. It’s about speed, flow, paddle changes and making as many changes of direction as possible in the critical section of the wave. So watch and learn kids!

SB/ Tell us your best SUP moments to date AR/ Winning the World Tour trials at La Torche Getting a wild card into the main event in la torche a year later Representing Great Britain in Nicaragua Competing in the trials of the world tour in California Winning the British Title

SB/ Everyone seems to have a SUP wish list. Whats on yours?!!  AR/ I would have to say anywhere with barreling left handers with the sun shinning and a pizza and beer waiting for me when I’ve finished! Oh and I’d like a trip to the wave pool in Dubai as haven’t been there yet.

Aaron competing in Nicugrua Photo : Simon Bassett

SB/ What are your 5 top tips for younger paddlers wanting to get into SUP? AR/

Don’t listen to the haters

Stay focused

Work hard

Set goals

Most importantly have fun

SB/ What advice would you give to someone wanting to paddle a more unstable board? AR/ The key is to find the balance point of the board, set a nice comfortable stance up and just relax for the more you tense up the more you’ll wobble and be swimming with the fishes.

And this photo pretty much sums Aaron up. Racing ASBO style. Give him a free ride and he will take it but always with a smile on his face. Photo : Tim Rowe

SB/ And finally, what are your goals for the year ahead? AR/ Finish my apprenticeship, hold on to my British title, and work on doing some more contests abroad.

Great catching up with you again Aaron. The SUPboarder team wishes you all the best over the next year on and off the water. 

“I’d like to thank Charlie Grey for getting me to where I am now, without his custom shapes I wouldn’t have got to where I am. However a new opportunity has been offered to me with a brand that one of my main sponsors “Gone paddling” stocks. Lokahi is not a well known brand in the UK but they have been around for a little while now and produce some great boards. They were kind enough to lend me a 14’ board to take part in the Euro Tour this year and it helped me to get ranked in the top 50 on the SupRacer ranking list. They then helped me out getting a 2016 surf sup to take to the Huntington Pro where I made it to the semi finals in the trials. After winning the open class in the recent French 14’ Championship race at Crozon (I placed 7th overall) Sylvain from Lokahi approached me and asked if I would like to paddle for their international team. I borrowed their 12’6 flat water board for the local race here last Sunday and in some bumpy conditions won the race which helped make up my mind, I already knew the 14’ and surf shapes worked. I am looking forward to working with Sylvain and Lokahi and can’t wait to get my 2016 race board in the new year. ” Words : Aaron Rowe

Photo : Colin Crowther

Mid season sit down with Peter Kosinski

Peter Kosinski has been working hard over the last couple of years juggling exams and starting his Summer SUP school at home in Ireland. But now over the next few months he is focusing on racing. We sat down with our SUPboarder rider in Costa Brava, Spain and found out a little bit more about the Irish race guru what his plans are for the rest of the season.

Andre Le Geyt & Aaron Rowe paddle ‘Round The Rock’

Many of us enjoy the cruising side to SUP. But there are also many SUPers who enjoy a good SUP challenge! Paddling challenges are becoming very  popular across the world and can take so many different forms, from long distance marathon style races, to setting your own personal challenge. Last week the ‘Round The Rock’ ultra marathon running race took place on Jersey in the Channel Islands. Rather…

Tim Rowe (Aaron’s very patient dad, coach and driver!) tells SUPboarder all about Aaron’s weekend of racing…

After a not such a great weekend racing in Bilbao (but a great after race party!) Aaron woke up with a hangover in Noja for the Deep Sup Euro Tour race. He hadn’t particularly wanted to go but as Oleron was cancelled and there was still a week of the holiday left he was kidnaped and taken to Noja. Noja turned out to be as beautiful as it had been described and the days before the start of the race weekend involved a few gentle paddles in the bay, a 2 hour quad bike trek with a Spanish guide called Tito (who carried a large machete strapped to his back called El Kutter!) and a bit of surfing. Steve Trott who had been at Bilbao also turned up as did Marie Buchanan and PJ (Paul Simmons).

Friday evening was the start of the weekend’s fun with knock out sprints on Red 10’6 x 24 inflatables on a pond on a golf course. The water was pleasantly warm which was lucky as a lot of the adults found standing let alone sprinting on the small boards a challenge. The men’s final came down to Aaron and Roman Frejo with Aaron losing out to Roman by inches.

Saturday morning was the start of the Euro Tour event which involved 3 races with equal points on each race. It started with the 14km distance race. Conditions were good with light winds and a bit of swell. PJ made a great start missing the larger set that took out quite a few of the racers, and headed off followed by one of the local paddlers. Aaron on the 14×21.5 Lokahi powered his way out over the breaking waves showing some amazing balance on a narrow board and set off in pursuit closely followed by Roman and then the rest of the pack. The paddlers soon disappeared from sight between the rocks and out of the bay heading towards the next bay and the turning point. As they returned into sight it was Roman leading from Aaron with no sign of PJ (he suffered from arm pump and had to back off). Roman turned the last buoy with a small lead on Aaron and headed for the beach picking up a nice ride on the way in, increasing the gap on Aaron who had a good lead over 3rd place.

Early evening was the sprint races which involved a water start from a buoy about 100m off shore with a sprint to the finish line on the beach. Aaron made it through to the final but slipped taking his leash off and dropped to 5th place.

Sunday was the final race which was a 3.5 km technical beach race. Aaron was starting the race in 2nd position overall. Again conditions were good but there was very little swell. What swell there was seemed to come in just as the race started and Aaron was uncharacteristically caught out and slipped. He was soon back up and chasing the lead pack to the first buoy and was back into the mix after the first turn. There was a short beach transition then out to the 2nd marker. Aaron was first out to the turn and took it on the right. As he rounded it Roman and Pepe came round it on the left telling Aaron he had gone the wrong way. Aaron decided they must be right and turned to round the buoy on his left, he fell got back up and went round the buoy the same way as Roman and Pepe. This caused the following pack some confusion and PJ went round the buoy both ways! Roman and Pepe had pulled away from Aaron but he went hard to catch them and had done by the last turn. He followed them round the last turn concentrating solely on catching them and paddled his heart out to make up for the earlier fall. By the time they hit the beach he had passed Pepe and was level with Roman, both paddlers hit the beach running for the line which was around 100 metres up the beach. Aaron ran his hardest and halfway there left Roman who cheered him on. Both of them crossed the line breathless only to be told that they had rounded the last buoy the wrong way and were disqualified. Roman had rounded 2 buoys the wrong way and Aaron 1.

Aaron who had studied the course diagram and attended the briefing let doubt get into his head when a more experienced paddler (who hadn’t attended the briefing) went the other way. A hard lesson to learn but he’s not the first (Lost Mills 2014). Even with no points from this final race he still placed 5th overall. I think this is the only Euro Tour event with 3 races that count towards one result and also the only one where the sprints carry the same points as the distance.

Aaron would like to give a big thank you to Sylvain Aurenche and Lokahi Boards France for the loan of the 14’ board and to Jim Terrell at Quick blade for the V drive paddle.

Words by – Tim Rowe

SB rider Peter Kosinski give the 2015 Starboard Astro racer going over

SUPboarder team rider Peter Kosinski has recently won the Battle of the Bay in Ireland. Peter as we know, is a top SUP racer who trains hard and has secured many podium finishes. For Peter having the right kit is just as important as being race fit. Competing in the inflatable only event last weekend meant Peter had to exchange his usual Starboard 12’6’’ hard race board for a Starboard iSUP.…