SUNOVA’s Waterwoman: Tarryn King Mastering the Waves and the Racecourse

Flowing effortlessly across the waves on a longboard or SUP surfboard and charging through the toughest SUP races, few athletes embody versatility like Tarryn King. A true waterwoman, she has conquered both the surf and the racecourse, winning multiple South African longboarding titles while also standing on international podiums in stand-up paddle racing. Competing at the highest level, she has secured multiple podium finishes at the ISA and ICF World Championships, including a gold medal at the 2018 ISA World Championships and bronze medals at the ICF SUP World Championships in 2019 and 2023. Supported by Sunova across both disciplines, she continues to push her limits, riding some of the most innovative boards in the industry.

Picture: mona.films

Hey Tarryn, so good to have you with us! In the 2024 season, you competed in various races. Which Sunova raceboards did you use for competitions and training last season?

2024 was a fun year of racing. I competed in my first distance races, which I really enjoyed – Battle for Hercules, Barcelona SUP Festival, Lake Rocks Festival in Austria, and the ICF World SUP Championships in Florida. Unfortunately, Florida ended up being one of my worst results of the year, as I had been battling some health issues without even being aware of them until recently! Hopefully, all is sorted now, and I’ll be back with heaps of energy. I really enjoyed these events, but Lake Rocks was my favorite of them all. It was fast, honest racing, which made things exciting! I used the Sunova FAAST Water Pro in all events – 14’ x 20”, which is a great board and super fast!

Picture: ICF

Sunova is constantly evolving its raceboards. How do you experience this development, and what do you appreciate most about the latest models?

I have a quiver of Sunova boards, including stand-up paddleboards and surfboards, and I can honestly say that not only do they look amazing, but their performance is exceptional. The 14’ x 21” FAAST PRO flatwater raceboard is stable, lightweight, and glides through the water like butter. The 14’ x 22.5” Ocean FAAST PRO downwind board is a bit tricky for me to stand on, but it’s incredibly fast and catches every bump it can find. My 7’3” FLASH SUP surfs like a shortboard – super maneuverable and handles top-to-bottom surfing beautifully. The 9’0” REVOLUTION longboard SUP is incredible too – great for nose riding, cruising, and even a bit of rail surfing. I also have a high-performance 9’2” T3 longboard that performs phenomenally in punchy waves with more power, and the 9’6” OLDY is perfect for nose riding and cruising down the line. It feels like there’s a board for every condition, and they all perform like a dream! I absolutely LOVE them.

Do you have a personal favorite board in the Sunova raceboard range? If so, what makes it special for you – shape, speed, stability, or something else?

Definitely the Flatwater FAAST Pro 14’ x 21”. It’s stable, it turns well, and it glides through the water so amazingly!

Picture: jbaytvofficial

In addition to SUP racing, you are also a very successful longboard surfer. Which Sunova longboard do you prefer to ride and why?

I am loving the 9’6 OLDY. This is a big change for me because I have always been a high-performance longboarder. After surfing the OLDY and realizing how amazing it is to nose ride as well as turn, it has made a huge difference in my surfing. Loving it!

Picture: mona.films

Are there any specific features of Sunova longboards that particularly suit your surfing style or that you find unique?

I think they have really got it right with the OLDY because they have given it length and width, so it’s stable for nose riding and easier to paddle into waves, but then it’s also still very maneuverable. It’s the best of both worlds.

Picture: mona.films

Whether in longboard competitions or SUP races – what adjustments do you plan to make for the upcoming season, whether in terms of equipment, technique, or race strategy?

I’ve always played the “juggling game.” Life at home is super busy – being a mom to two active kiddos, a wife, working, and training. It’s a lot, but I try to manage my time as best as I can so I can balance everything and still handle the daily challenges of being a mom, wife, and professional. Good time management makes a huge difference for me mentally. I’ve realized that staying focused on consistent training, being the best version of myself, and keeping my eyes on the end result is key! This will set me up for a good, positive mindset going into events, which is imperative for a solid performance!

Picture: mona.films

You are supported in your training by SUP.Training (led by Christian Taucher, who also acts as a coach). How has this changed your preparation, and are there specific aspects of training you will focus on this year?

Training with Chris has elevated my racing to a whole new level. He’s incredibly technical, understanding, and has a deep knowledge of what my training needs to improve my speed, power, and performance. His guidance is helping me reach the international level I need to compete at the highest standard.

Picture: mona.films

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