The UK offers diversity for watersports lover as much as it does frustrations. Mother Nature constantly changing her moods ensures those who want to max out their brine time will need to multi-discipline. As such there’s a large number of men and women who, while promoting themselves as belonging to one particular tribe member also practice other sports. So what’s the typical makeup of each of these habitual ocean people? NCW investigates…
Cornwall/Devon
Distinguishing feature: Pasty
Most likely to be a: Aspiring pro surfer
Other sports practised: Prone paddle board/sea kayaking
Vehicle: Ford Transit
Employment: Landscape gardener
Tipple of choice: Scrumpy/Rattler/cider of most descriptions
Quote: ‘Ello me ‘ansome!
South coast
Distinguishing feature: Perma tan
Most likely to be a: Windsurfer/kitesurfer
Other sports practised: Stand up paddle boarding/dinghy sailing
Vehicle: VW T5
Employment: Freelance IT consultant
Tipple of choice: Hendricks G&T
Quote: What a dinlow
North Sea counties
Distinguishing feature: Ice axe/frown
Most likely to be a: Surfer
Other sports practised: Kitesurfing
Vehicle: 4×4 truck
Employment: Fishing trawler captain
Tipple of choice: Stella
Quote: ‘E bah gum
Scotland
Distinguishing feature: Broad sword/kilt
Most likely to be a: Big wave surfer
Other sports practised: Spear fishing
Vehicle: Land Rover
Employment: Monarch of the Glen
Tipple of choice: 100 year oak aged malt whiskey
Quote: Och!
Wales
Distinguishing feature: Fields
Most likely to be a: White water kayaker
Other sports practised: Surfing/MTB
Vehicle: John Deere tractor
Employment: Sheep farmer
Tipple of choice: Brains ale
Quote: Alright butt?
Northern Ireland
Distinguishing feature: St. Christopher pendant
Most likely to be a: Stand up paddle boarder
Other sports practised: Surfing
Vehicle: Quad bike
Employment: Priest
Tipple of choice: Guinness
Quote: Drrink!