KNOWLEDGE – SURVIVING: THE BOAT TRIP AND OTHER TIGHT SPACES
I’m not the best at confined spaces and travelling in groups because I got claustrophobic and need time on my own each day. However, over the years, and after many SUP, kite and surf trips, I have evolved and can tolerate more and remain calm in most situations…
Words Kirsty Jones // Photos Ludovic Franco
This feature originally appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of SUP International. Print and digital subscriptions for readers worldwide are available HERE.)
Most trips I have been on are with photographers, other pro riders, clients, colleagues, bosses, mainly in a group, and with very varying, sometimes strong personalities. Every trip I learn something about myself, about others, about human beings, and about life. Therefore every trip with a group of people can be a fascinating experience, or really uncomfortable, it just depends how you choose to experience it.
Breaking the ice
Camping, laughing, joking, cooking together, having a daily beer or coffee together, giving each person a role and funny name all helps to ease the transition into a comfortable, fun time. Usually it’s the most basic, simple, ways that are the best. Use your instincts and imagination!
Dealing with the inevitable alpha
There seems to usually be a confident, dominating/ leader type, which is good for a trip, unless they are a complete control freak! Just let them be the boss/ leader so you can relax and enjoy the scenery and moment more! But if someone wants to be a leader they should deal with the difficult situations and negotiations along the way also. As long as there is respect and no negativity, it’s better to just let people express themselves, and take their natural role. It’s how we react to situations and people that can cause conflicts in a group and inside us.
Encouraging the Omega types out of their shell
Encourage them, talk to them, find their strengths and skills and build on these. Ask them advice on things they know about, make them feel useful, share thoughts and experiences, feelings and fears, joke and laugh and be yourself to encourage them that they too can just be themselves and not care about what others think. Most of us can be a little nervous going to a new place, with new people, unknown waters and waves, so it’s always nice to bond with others in the group and make everyone feel comfortable. I always think the best way to ease people out of their shells is to go in the sea together, get a good salt water washing, go for a paddle, then have a coffee, juice or beer together! We also have to accept that everyone is unique and special in their own ways, and also everyone has quirky, strange, annoying points too!
Causes of disagreements to anticipate
Where to surf and shoot photos is usually the main discussion point. I only travel as a group if it’s for a photo shoot, or when I’m running kitesurf and yoga courses, so I maybe don’t experience the more normal type of disagreements in a group of friends travelling.
Understand that things can get ridiculous
I think the smaller the space, and the more time people spend in a small, confined space together, the smaller and stupider the debates can become! I remember having a discussion with a camera man on a shoot when I was on a boat trip, about Pro riders and how we are human beings with feelings and sensitivities, and not machines who perform at the touch of a button! We got into a heavy, discussion and I really needed to escape and jump into the sea afterwards!
Make time for yourself
Get on your SUP and paddle anywhere! My favourite way to have time alone is to take my SUP and snorkel to some calm waters, or SUP to the shore and go exploring or do yoga on a deserted beach. SUP
“ Don’t rely on others, don’t have expectations about others, and don’t let others effect you ”
Some ground rules for an easy time
* Know your crew, their personalities, budgets, and what they want from trip; BEFORE the trip is better. Then decide if it’s a compatible team.
* Have a rough plan and prioritise what’s important for everyone
* Go with the right attitude – staying positive, calm and seeing the brighter or funnier side to most obstacles and challenges along the way.
* Respect each other, the locals, the environment and the elements, no matter how harsh they can be in all cases!
* Never SUP in a really local surf spot unless you want to risk having your board, paddle or head broken.
* There are no problems only solutions – try to always keep this in mind even if everything is going wrong.
* Be prepared for anything, everything and nothing.
* Don’t rely on others, don’t have expectations about others, and don’t let others effect you.
* Give each other space each day, and take ear plugs, eye mask and sea sickness tablets if you are going on a boat trip!
Here’s a nice relevant quote to wrap it up: ‘Only the guy that isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat’ Happy tripping and paddling everyone!