SUPer Whale is a community driven project and a brand founded by Anna Nadolna. The SUP brand now 3 years is based in the beautiful university city Cambridge, approximately 50 KM north of London. The city straddles the river Cam, giving paddle enthusiast Anna plenty of water to explore with her customers. Anna Nadolna introduces the historic city and surroundings to TotalSUP.
Hi Anna, Can you tell us a bit about you and introduce SUPer Whale?
I set up SUPer Whale page in 2015 as a visual blog covering our SUP adventures. I first paddled in 2010, in Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Cambridge and I knew right away that that was it. I was hooked for life. I then started travelling around the UK and meeting other riders and SUP clubs. Through these connections I was SUPer lucky to paddle with the likes of Izzi Gomez, Sean Poynter, the UK’s top SUP athletes, Ryan James, Marie Buchanan, and met some amazing ambassadors for the sport across the country. As the tribe has started growing and I was no longer one of the few that were paddleboarding on the River Cam, in Cambridge. So I then took my SUP skills further and did the ISA SUP Flat Water Instructor training with Andy Joyce of Surf Steps in Bournemouth.
Can you tell us what’s special about paddling in Cambridge?
Cambridge is epic and I’m stoked that it’s my SUP playground set against the backdrop of the University of Cambridge. The university is one of the world’s most famous research and tech clusters. I feel it’s a privilege to rediscover this city from my paddleboard.
What is it like to paddle in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire?
Depending on what I want to do my usual SUP spots are various stretches on the River Cam. For SUP training I’ll choose routes outside the city. For social SUP we usually choose a location with a pub nearby. And of course there is The Backs, the most picturesque stretch along Cambridge colleges. It’s a proper treat for SUP friends visiting from across the country. However we also paddle in St Ives, Cambs and beyond.
Can you tell us about the SUP brand that you represent in Cambridge?
I’m a brand ambassador for Yster SUP, premium coastal paddle boards designed in Sweden. I met Per Valbo, the Founder, in Copenhagen during the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships. These beautifully designed boards are totally optimized for northern European waters. The range in Yster SUP includes tourer performance iSUPs, all wood and naked carbon boards. Yster SUP also designs carbon paddles, fins and other premium SUP accessories. I’m a proud owner of both an Yster iSUP and a naked carbon board.
Whats next for SUPer Whale?
2019 is going to be a breakthrough year for me. I’m kicking off my SUP racing adventure with a Winter series of events across the East of England and I hope these will prepare me for some true grind in the new year. I would like to take part in some of the most iconic races next year and I know there’s a lot of work to do. But fingers crossed and see you in some cool SUP racing locations!
For more information check out www.superwhale.co.uk
