Everything Awesome

What board should a beginner buy?

I quite often see posts where people are asking. What should I get for my first beginner board? 

That’s actually two questions. 

What should I get for my first board? 

What’s a good beginner board?.

Now that is where a huge contradiction is in place. 

Most people buy a board at the budget end of the spectrum for their first board, it will be 6 in thick and inflate to around 15 psi.

Unfortunately, the fact is these boards do not make a good beginner board. Former beginner they need a board that is rigid not floppy, they need a board that will make self-rescue straightforward. They need a board where if they break the fin they can replace it easily. 

Much as I wouldn’t walk into a fine restaurant and ask for an oil change on my van, because that’s not their field of expertise, why would anybody assume that a shop that sells bicycle parts, maps and hiking shoes would have expert knowledge for paddle boards? 

There are some absolute experts in their fields in the UK, and some very highly qualified and experienced instructors and coaches. Ask the opinions of those people about paddle boards and you will get a vastly different reply than you would do asking on a Facebook group 

Www.mcconks.com

www.supinflatables.co.uk

www.fatstickboards.com

All the above not only have a great selection of boards for sale but also have a deep knowledge and can give advice. 

If your in the Yorkshire area,  

www.everythingawesome.co.uk

These guys won’t try to sell you a board, but can help with beginner lessons.

As will many others in your local area 

The idea of a “personal car park” usually conjures images of concrete slabs and reserved spaces, but for me, it’s something far more magnificent: the entire expanse of the Peak District National Park. It’s where I escape the hum of daily life, trading traffic jams for winding lanes and the claustrophobia of the urban grind for the endless horizon. This isn’t just a place to park my vehicle; it’s where I park my worries, my stresses, and my digital distractions, allowing my mind to breathe freely amidst nature’s grandeur.

Stepping out into the Peaks is an immediate sensory feast. The air, crisp and clean, carries the scent of damp earth and heather, often with a hint of sheep on the breeze. My eyes drink in the undulating landscape – the soft, rounded hills of the White Peak giving way to the dramatic, rugged gritstone edges of the Dark Peak. Each turn of the road, each ascent up a well-worn path, unveils a new vista, a fresh masterpiece painted by ancient geological forces and centuries of human interaction. Sunlight dapples through ancient woodlands, illuminating moss-covered stones, while the calls of curlews echo across vast moorlands.

This “car park” offers more than just stunning views; it offers solace and rejuvenation. I find myself drawn to the quiet valleys where crystal-clear streams tumble over rocks, or to the exhilarating heights of Mam Tor, where the wind whips through my hair, carrying away every last shred of tension. Whether I’m tackling a challenging ascent up Kinder Scout, enjoying a gentle stroll through a charming Dales village like Castleton, or simply sitting by a drystone wall, watching the clouds scud across the sky, I feel an profound sense of connection and belonging.

It’s a place of contrasts, of raw beauty and gentle serenity. The wild, untamed expanses remind me of nature’s power, while the cosy pubs and quaint tearooms offer warmth and respite. Every visit feels like hitting a reset button, a chance to recalibrate and reconnect with what truly matters. My personal car park is far more than a parking spot; it’s a sanctuary, an adventure playground, and a constant source of wonder that always leaves me refreshed and ready to face the world, until my next return.

An interesting day with Chris from Beyond the Edge taking the NNAS Tutor award course.

Launched in 2016, the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Tutor Award was created to recognise that just because one can personally navigate, it doesn’t follow that one can teach it.

On this one day course, you’ll look at different methods for teaching navigation to beginners from simple games to learning strategies. You’ll see how a Bronze Navigator Award course can be delivered and learn more about the Navigator Awards and the NNAS itself.

Successful completion of the NNAS Tutor Award will also enable (after approval by NNAS) those without a higher hill or mountain walking qualification, but with experience and interest in the outdoors, to help teach on a Bronze award under the guidance of a registered NNAS Course Director.

The course is a mixture of classroom and practical sessions and offers the opportunity for candidates to discuss their own methodology as well as learning new techniques from others.

Successful completion of the NNAS Tutor Award also counts for one CPD (continued personal/professional development) point for qualified members of Mountain Training Association (MTA), Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML).