GET TO KNOW JO
WELCOME TO MY SUP BLOG
The biggest hello from me, Jo! Thank you for checking out my paddle boarding blog, I love that you have stopped by!
I wanted to share a little bit about me and my journey to creating this New Zealand SUP travel guide and resources.
My Journey to New Zealand
An experienced Paddle UK qualified SUP coach and guide, I have run my own award winning business (Paddle Cabin) and taught and guided over a thousand people (blimey, I just counted up!) on stand up paddleboards since 2020. I loved that my office was on the water and I am so proud of what we (my business partner and I) created, but I was itching to travel further afield, and live somewhere with incredible places to hike, paddle, climb, swim on my doorstep (say hello, New Zealand).
I would say that my approach to life is to be gutsy, take a risk and enjoy the journey it takes you on. So, I sold everything I had, and made the move from my home in the UK to New Zealand in 2023 on my own, with the purpose to push myself in the outdoors. And what a place to do that.
With the most beautiful places to paddle in New Zealand, I immediately researched the best spots to paddle board, and found very little resources to help me find them. So, here we are - here's me sharing my journey with you as I explore New Zealand by paddle board.
WHY I LOVE PADDLEBOARDING
I love paddle boarding because it can be anything you want it to be - restorative, mindful, wild, fun, enduring, competitive, adventurous, connecting, sociable, personal. It can be rivers, seas, lakes, white water, surf, down-winding, racing, games.
For me, life is all about joy and I find that on the water. It's also about freedom, and with paddling knowledge, confidence and skill, comes freedom. I love empowering people at all stages of their SUP journey. I am a big believer in the power of blue space (the water) for improving your mental health and lapping up the amazing benefits of blue therapy.
As I travel across New Zealand seeking out new paddleboarding adventures, I would love to help you in person with SUP Coaching and private or small group sessions for new paddle boarders, paddlers wanting to develop their technique and build water safety and water confidence too.
I believe in buying once and buying well and investing in quality good gear. I am an ambassador for Red Paddle Co paddleboards too so ask away about anything Red. I also love my Moana hard board and SUP surf board and paddle so feel free to ask me about those too!
Based in Nelson when I am not exploring, you will find me on the water at Moana Paddle Nelson or MD Outdoors, getting my adventure fix. I also freelance for small outdoor companies with business support, freeing up their time so they can spend more of it outside, doing what they love.
I hope you enjoy my blogs, guides and advice for your own SUP journeys. And I would love to hear from you so to chat more, get in touch.
Until then, happy paddling!
Love Jo x