Glide Paddle Boards Brave the White Nile!
We made some custom paddle boards for these two daredevils to take down the White Nile in Uganda, Africa.
Introduction
You've probably seen the 8 page spread that Glide team rider Seth Warren put together for SUP Magazine riding Glide 2014 Prototype Whitewater Paddle boards. The "Nile Special" is an almost mythical wave in the whitewater section of the Nile that runs through Uganda. Seth was able to stick the wave riding these new concept paddle boards by our world class designer, Ken Driscoll. It looked like the trip of a lifetime and we are stoked to be a sponsor in Seth's next adventure coming this summer!
Getting the paddle boards to Uganda
Our athlete got some help porting their custom made paddle boards. Everyone was so curious about this new type of river paddling.
So much interest in a stand up paddle board!
The locals were almost as excited as we were to see a paddle board in their homeland. Many were hoping to try this new sport of paddle boarding.
Time to go paddle boarding
After days of wiping out, Seth finally stomps this one! Luckily the ultra durable polymer that has defined a Glide hard paddle board for years came through as these river rapids were truly extreme so our foam core was always protected.
The locals take a paddle board for a spin
Our international outreach program may find future team Paddle Board Riders here in the future!
Inflatable paddle boards would be a bit more comfortable for sitting
Stand up Paddle board or "Sit down Paddle boards"? These local chaps decided that they would rather be ferried around onur hard boards. Surely and inflatable paddle board would be more comfortable.
Surfing SUPs
Although not designed as surfing SUPs, Seth and Kirk had no problem riding waves on the Nile. These guys are seriously advanced paddlers. The performance characteristics of these paddle boards made them perfect for all sorts of river fun. Turning a river paddle board into a surf board is harder than it looks!
Seth and Kirk show a certain mastery of paddle boards on the White Nile by the tail end of the trip.
It takes a certain kind of paddler and paddle board to brave this! Those are long distances to paddle in that kind of whitewater.
Conclusion
A special thanks to Kirk and Seth! Our paddle boards have never looked better! That was the road trip of a lifetime and we're thrilled that our ultra durable stand up paddle boards could make the journey with you!
