Su Weeks, a paddler from the HAWKES BAY has completed some incredible long distance SUP adventures over the last eight months, circumnavigating the Tory Channel, Queen Charlotte Sound, Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds in her ‘SUP the Sounds’ adventure, completing a total of 1100kms including a crossing of the Cook Strait!
And that was not the end of Su’s adventures on a SUP this year. As soon as she completed the Marlborough sounds, she headed straight across the ditch (by plane not SUP!) and completed an unsupported paddle of the Murray River from Echuca (a good starting point beyond the white water) to where the river meets Lake Alexandrina in South Australia, a total of 1600kms of solo paddling. Jacqui Simpson spoke to Su about her incredible adventures;
When did you first get into long distance adventure paddling?
I initially decided to Sup the Queen Charlotte Sounds in 2023 as something to do whilst we were staying on our converted tug over summer.
What motivated you to do SUP the Sounds and then the Murray River?
Su: Following my trip around Queen Charlotte I felt a bit braver & decided to Sup Pelorus Sounds/Kenepuru in the summer of 2024 because we hadn’t been there & it represented greater challenges because it was significantly more exposed. After this I couldn’t think what to do so added both expeditions together to create my ‘Sup the Sounds’ trip- this is when it became more a distance challenge than just seeing the Sounds whilst I learned about Sup touring.
Meanwhile I had been researching where else I could paddle and came across the Murray River, which starts in the Snowy Mountains in NSW in Australia & travels to Adelaide. It is the 3 rd longest navigable river in the world. Paddling a river appealed to me because it meant potentially less battling with side-on waves that were a constant companion in the Sounds.There was also quite a lot of information available for paddling the Murray, albeit for kayakers.
What sort of planning, preparation and training did you undertake before these trips?
Su: The planning for Sup the Sounds was quite simple as I had my husband within radio-call distance on our boat & spent each night aboard so I didn’t have to carry much gear- just enough survival gear for 2 nights in case I ran into problems getting back to the boat- which fortunately didn’t happen. I had no time constraints, so I didn’t do any extra training as I just paddled as much as I wanted to- usually having to stop before I wanted due to the wind which was abominable this summer.
For my trip down the Murray I spent 2 years planning & amassing the necessary equipment. I read many books & researched ultralight camping, distances, climate, water flow etc. There was a huge amount of planning to do as it involved everything from getting my gear to Australia & then to the start, food, hydration, communications etc. You name it- it needed planning! Training for the Murray was not needed as I had just completed the Sounds trip so was fairly fit.
What gear (hydration, food, navigation etc) did you have on your board for the SUP the Sounds?
Sup the Sounds wasn’t too much gear but bear in mind that I wouldn’t recommend this trip without boat support as there are stretches where you are unable to get ashore due to cliffs etc, & the weather is very fickle- you need to ‘read’ it as you paddle and might only have 10mins between manageable water & needing to radio for pick-up due to a change in the weather. The inner Sounds are safer if not supported by a boat. I carried enough water, food & clothing for 2 days and a spare battery pack, tow rope & a full pfd if the weather is at all inclement. Food was mainly scroggin which is calorie dense, & clothing included wet weather gear, gloves & a warm hat. Attached to my body I had an inflatable belt pfd, quick- release leash, an epirb, phone, whistle& a vhf radio with which I could call the boat up. My phone was traceable by my husband in most parts of the inner Sounds but the signal was often cut in the outer Sounds. I had a chart(map) of the area but was just following the shoreline so only needed it for communicating where I was. I also memorised what was ahead of me before I set off each day & used the Paddle Logger app to add to my navigation tools.
What type of board and paddle did you use?
I use a RED Company 13’2 Voyager. They have many tie-down points, lots of room for gear & being inflatable they are less likely to sustain damage on the many rocks & razor-sharp oyster shells in the Sounds.
My paddle for the Sounds was a Starboard oval shaft (for my small hands) S40 Lima carbon. For the Murray I needed to be able to take my paddle on public transport, so I used a Quikblade carbon travel paddle. I carried a spare RED 5 piece paddle on both trips.
Any favourite pieces of kit for adventure paddling?
Safety is a big thing with me- provided I have done everything I can to keep myself safe without relying on other people I am happy, but I am pretty fond of all my gear. I consider it quite important to have high-quality gear when at all possible for safety, comfort, and ease of use. After 2+ months of paddling & camping you either love or loathe your kit!
Do you ever get bored on a long paddle and how do you manage that?
On my Sup the Sounds there was less opportunity to get bored as the weather was not particularly good for most of it so I was having to read the water constantly to avoid an unscheduled swim- it is also quite changeable scenery & a lot to see both in and on the water & onshore. The Murray water is quite silty which negates the chance to see the riverbed much- it is also a river with very little flow due to the weirs and lochs along it, so except on the windy days (the prevailing wind blows upstream!) the water was a dream unless you hit a hidden snag (which I did!), therefore less concentration was required. Whilst there is a lot of wildlife & phenomenal scenery, I was on my board for 7-9hrs a day so some choice words were spoken on one occasion as I paddled past a yet another lengthy forest of red-gums.
To amuse myself I try different paddling ‘styles/techniques & speeds which also relieve wear and tear on my body. I write my current blog in my head- it hardly ever gets to being published, I make a point of paddling to see something across the river if it spikes an interest, sing silly songs & often discover I have paddled for 2 hours without noticing ie get ‘in the zone’.
For your trip on the Murray River, you were carrying everything on your board (tent, sleeping bag, food etc), how often did you need to stop to re-stock up on food and supplies?
I carried 3 weeks of food onboard as there are some long stretches without access to any supplies & you can also be delayed by weather. Although the river is very silty, it is fresh water so I used a water-filter and also refilled my 4 water bladders (total 16litres) when there was potable water available. Some of the stores marked on the charts have since ceased trading & those that were still operating were often closed or had only a few things eg ice-
creams or biscuits. I resupplied 7 times – mainly fresh vegetables & fruit as it didn’t last long in the heat.
What are some of your favourite memories from these incredible adventures?
The seals stole my heart whilst paddling the Sounds- they are such characters, but I was also transfixed by the different water colours & the depth and clarity of the water. The Murray paddle was an entirely different experience but equally as enjoyable. Being self- supported & often not seeing anyone for several days, the various interactions with the local river dwellers were wonderful. I also loved hearing the wildlife (including wild pigs, kangaroos & koalas) around my tent at night, the extremely noisy birds at sunrise & sunset & seeing
some emu swimming across the river.
Are you planning any new adventure paddles?
I am hoping to go back & paddle the more challenging section of the Murray (approx 400km) to Echuca then repeat some of my favourite legs & perhaps Sup some of the Coorong near the Murray Mouth which is a wildlife rich area on the far side of Lake Alexandrina where it meets the sea. Lake Alexandrina itself is very shallow & vast so incredibly dangerous- hence no interest in paddling across!
Aside from that, I’m looking for ideas so feel free to make any suggestions!