Related Content: What'SUP? - a new paddling festival...click here

I bought a ten foot board in 2013 and since then have taken it up as one of my main hobbies.

I was drawn to it because I’m a water person and love the beach. I also think any kind of sport on a waterway is generally good for the soul.

Most weekends you will see me out on Wallis Lake near the bridge or out off Forster Keys.

You really can’t beat an early morning paddle on the lake near the bridge especially on a sunny day -  it’s like a silky blanket of aquamarine where marine life swims right underneath you. You can often have this all to yourself too - if you’re early enough!

Some other places I like to paddle are the surf (which is a lot more challenging) and on the river mouth at Crescent Head.

Just looking around the lake or at some of our local beaches, it’s easy to see why there is such a SUP craze at the moment. 

You can paddle at your own pace on your own and feel relaxed by your surroundings, with a friend or in a group or for those that like a bit more adventure you can go for a longer, faster paddle. 

I think what I tend to enjoy most about it is the surroundings - a couple of weeks ago my partner and I paddled from the boat ramp at Forster Keys up to Smugglers Cove.

We saw so much birdlife, beautifully shaped trees draping into the water and blue swimmer crabs scurrying away. 

I’ve also got my mum into paddleboarding which she thoroughly enjoys. 

SUP is also good exercise I feel as though I have strengthened my core and arms quite a lot from regular paddling. 

But in terms of competition, I have never entered a SUP event before. I don’t consider myself to be a very competitive person but when I found out there was a paddle festival right here in Forster I thought, why not?

We all tend do things for different reasons. So for me, I see it as a challenge but also a lot of fun. 

I’m not out to win anything I’m just out to incorporate what I love doing with other people and have a good time. 

The event takes place on February 15 on the lake off Memorial Drive and is open to all ages. So if like me, you enjoy getting out on the water why not give it a try?