Interview: Peter Tranter

Photos: Will Reddaway –
WRPhotography

Brendon Prince

A chat with Brendon Prince

In September 2021, after over 140 days on the water, Brendon Prince became the first person to circumnavigate Great Britain with his epic adventure challenge ‘The Long Paddle 2021’. Now Brendon brings you SUPTwelve, a race born out of his experience in Florida where he competed in ‘Last Paddler Standing’. We speak to Brendon about these events plus his various charities including ‘Above Water’. Take it away Brendon…

Before we start – just let our readers know a little about yourself, your family, your background etc.
I was raised in South Wales on a farm beside a small river. I spent my childhood jumping in and out of boats, making rafts and generally messing about in the water. In my late teens and early 20s, I discovered expeditions. I put my developing climbing skills and white water paddling to the extreme in Iceland, North America, Pakistan and China. This was the late 80s and early 90s, so you didn’t see many others on the mountain or in the river. I took a physical and outdoor education degree at Exeter, which led me to become a PE teacher. After a few years in the big smoke of London, I returned to the southwest for what I thought would be a six-month job. Twenty-three years later, I left Torquay Boys’ Grammar School to pursue my life calling of promoting water safety, drowning prevention and paddling. I live in Torquay, South Devon, with my wonderful family overlooking the stunning water of Torbay.

Your latest project is SUPTwelve – a pretty unique endurance competition in the UK – can you explain what happens?
I have been so excited by the passion shown by so many for SUPTwelve, in its first year. Over 50 people entered, with 32 starters for the 12-hour challenge. I love endurance paddling; spending time at sea pushes the body mentally and physically, and I wanted to bring this style of event to the UK. The conditions on the 1st of April were mixed with all the competitors experiencing the wonders of paddling for 12 hours with tide and weather conditions changing.

The event concept is straightforward, everybody starts at 07:00, and you can paddle for as little or as much as your mind and body will allow in 12 hours. Once this time passes, you finish the lap you are on (each lap is approximately 3.5km). If two or more competitors are on the same amount of laps at the end of 12 hours, then it is a race to finish that lap. The first person to finish the lap wins! This year, we had a very clear winner at 30 laps (Bruce Smith) and an amazing second place at 29 laps (PJ Simmons), but two competitors were competing for third place. This turned the event into a very exciting finale, with Fox Butler taking the third spot at 26 laps over Dom Hook. A special mention goes to Emily Evans, the first female with 25 laps. SUPTwelve 2024 will have separate male and female categories with separate junior races.

And where did you come up with the idea?
I’ve wanted to bring the concept of endurance paddling into an event for the last few years. The events I have entered previously are typically over after 10 or 15 km, which is where I start to warm up. After competing in the awesome ‘Last Paddler Standing’ event in Florida at Christmas, I just had to bring an endurance paddling event to the UK.

Unlike LPS, I wanted to bring changeable weather and tidal conditions into the mix, with a time frame letting the competitor experience the full range tidal range. With these additions, every lap of the course paddles differently.

Where’s your local paddling spot?
The coast of Devon both south and north.

So, just in case anyone here doesn’t know, you became the first stand-up paddler to circumnavigate mainland Britain called ‘The Long Paddle’, which we featured in the Paddler. Is anything similar planned for the future?
This year is about promoting AdventureSUP and helping people understand what is involved when attempting to paddle ‘around the corner’ or ‘into the unknown’. I’ve got some fantastic mini adventures planned for the board, including paddling a destination I’ve always wanted to visit- the Faroe Islands, which basically are islands that resemble ‘Naria’ but in the North Atlantic.

The big one for 2023 is ‘7 Days at Sea’; I plan to paddle out from my home town of Torbay and spend seven days eating, sleeping and paddling, demonstrating how to paddle with the conditions so it’s all about the journey, as I have no idea what will be my destination! I will announce the special board I will use for the world first very soon!

‘Above Water’ is one of your charities involved with SUPTwelve – can you tell us a little about ‘Above Water’?
Above Water is the water safety in education charity. We set up hubs in areas around the UK and invite schools to send three or four potential Young Leaders to come and learn about water safety and drowning prevention. Those Young Leaders then return to their schools and teach their peers how to stay safe when in, on or around water. This method helps thousands of children to get annual water safety and drowning prevention teaching, plus it helps the Young Leader concept of getting children to volunteer and stand up in front of their friends. Having the responsibility to teach such a vital topic gives tremendous motivation to Young Leaders.

How does SUP give you satisfaction?
It ticks all the boxes for me, adventure paddling, surfing, and fitness, giving plenty of ‘blue space’ thinking time.

Besides SUP giving you a buzz, does sea kayaking, canoeing, or WW also float your boat?
I spent a decade in the white stuff when I was young and haven’t ever gone back to it. I used up my nine lives and knew it was time to move on as I was pushing it beyond my limits. I still love my Surf Ski and want to take on a few races in the next few years.

If you could capture just one ‘feel-good moment in your times of paddling – which would it be and why?
I feel blessed to have experienced and survived many’ moments’ with the paddle. Paddling the upper Indus in Pakistan at 18 was very special, but the best feel-good would have to be completing the circumnavigation of mainland Britain. Returning to Torbay after turning right for 141 days with thousands of welcoming faces to cheer me will always be a life-affirming moment.

Are there any other similar ideas you’re thinking about?
Yes, the best way to experience adventure paddling is to paddle for 24 hours, so, of course, SUPTwentyFour is in the planning. Watch this space!

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
I’m not one to look that far ahead; I just about understand what I’m doing next week!

Have you ever been scared, and if not – what would it take?
Ha ha, fear is a big part of paddling, but I find this healthy. Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nelson Mandela once said, ‘There is no passion to be found playing small, settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living’. I am blessed with a body and mind that rises to this challenge every day.

Which brands do you work with, and how do they specifically help you?
Again, I am blessed to be working with several brands that provide all the kit I need, and it feels like one big team! Appropriate equipment for the challenge is a must and makes the task much easier. I’m a sponsored paddler with BlackFish Paddles, and SIC (Maxtracks Distribution and Get on the Water UK) provide most of my boards. Yak, Crewsaver, Baltic, Change Robe and ShowersPass provide all my clothing, jackets and PFD. Lifejacket skin protection keeps me safe from the sun. Peugeot UK with Vospers provides my essential and stunning van. Power2Go & Geotracking are fantastic at sorting my power and location monitoring on the go, and Priority Pixels smash all my Website needs. ShoreTees also sell all my Long Paddle Stash and charity sales with Above Water.

Which river/lake/sea anywhere in the world would be on your SUP bucket list and why?
My top five for this month…
5.Pembrokeshire; 4. Oban in Scotland; 3. New Quay in Wales; 2. Falmouth; 1. Torbay in England.

Is there anything you’d change within the industry to make it more inclusive?
SUP is in its infancy, which means it’s learning every season how to be more accessible and safe. All paddlers have a responsibility to help support governance, demonstrate good practice and promote respect for each other and the environment we paddle.

Name just one thing we can do as paddlers to improve our environment.
Thinking paddling environment rather than the physical environment; better monitoring of internet forums, for every correct and experienced comment, there is a hundred ill-informed, lacking experience. Not helpful in any way, moving forward for the sports.

What’s the most enjoyable encounter with wildlife that you’ve had whilst paddling?
There has been quite a few, but the highlights would be hundreds of Atlantic dolphins in Wales, thousands of seals in Suffolk, alligators in Florida, and sharks in South Africa, but nothing tops Orca in Scotland!

Quickfire questions:

Who would it be if you could paddle with anyone, dead or alive?
I lost my Dad at the start of Covid; he never got to see any of my SUP paddle achievements, although he’d probably be in a RIB, and I’d be paddling!

Pick two celebrities to be your parents.
Pocahontas and Poseidon.

Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
Bryan Brown – think drunk bar owner from the Tom Cruise film Cocktail!

An ideal night out for you is?
Group of friends and partners for an International Rugby match, followed by a big group meal, then a few more ciders!

What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?
A 5-star hotel.

What would I find in your fridge right now?
Besides all the goodies needed to feed a family of five – cheese and cider!

What would you prepare for us if we came to your house for dinner?
Cheese and cider.

What is the most boring question you are often asked?
Where do you poo when you are on the board?

If you could be a superhero for one day, what superpower would you choose and why?
Silver Surfer or Aquaman would be cool, but it would have to be Superman – he’s got it all going on!

What is your favourite sports team?
Rugby – Wales and Exeter Chiefs.

Who are your SUP buddies?
Anyone who wants to have a paddle and have fun on the water.

Any nicknames?
Princey, Buzz Lightyear and the Americans call me Brandon; they can’t get their head around Brendon.

Any final shout-outs?
Team Prince, Kitty, Roo and Jonah, plus my beautiful wife Helen, is my best friend and guiding light; if anyone deserves a shout-out, it’s her!

Thanks for your help on this, Brendon – I appreciate it.