Posted on by Fiona

SUP Magazine Review the Fatyak Samos

Sup Mag have reviewed the Fatyak Samos and this is what they have to say…

Sup Mag is one of the biggest SUP dedicated magazines in the UK.

Stand up paddleboard

“Rotomoulded stand up paddle boards aren’t a new concept. Back at SUP’s inception a few overseas brands had some kicking about. Somerset based Fatyak, however, are the first British company to bring a plastic board to market and it’s the Samos we review here.

Anyone familiar with sit on top kayaks may have heard about Fatyak. Offering a bunch of sit down paddle designs it was only a matter of time before a FY SUP appeared. The Samos is an unusual looking beast. A myriad of chines and channels run through the hull and deck giving a slightly ‘tech’ appearance. Fixtures and fittings are similar to what you find on FY’s kayaks with an overall finish that’s polished and high end.

With its 10 feet of length and  36” inches of width(!) the Samos is a stable platform to say the least! You literally have to run off the Samos to fall off it. Combine this with a planted feel and there aren’t many boards that could rival it in terms of composure. Heavy weights, and newbies at that, should have no trouble getting to grips with SUP if learning atop a Samos.

Sweeping forwards and there’s a bulk of thickness up front in the nose area. This keeps the Samos locked in and directional. Together with the hull’s chines tracking is pretty good and even allows the Samos to be paddled sans fin. You do gain further efficiency when actually using the US box skeg but it’s nice to be able to use the Samos without in barely a foot of water – great for teaching anxious beginners who don’t like going out of their depth.

Manoeuvres are achievable – there’s certainly no reason why SUPers can learn to pivot turn and be proactive with footwork – it’s a livelier sled than you’d think. And while you could of course take the Samos into small waves it’s not really the board’s forte.

Learning to stand up paddle, cruising and even loading up with fishing gear and/or touring essentials are where the Samos really fits the bill. With such a stable platform it’d be a crying shame not to utilise this. And don’t forget the board’s construction lends itself to harsh environments making it great for rock hopping and craggy coastal discoveries.”

We hope you have found this useful!

Happy Paddling,

The Fatyak Team

Related Articles: How to Paddle an SUP in a straight line,  The Man Outdoors review the Samos SUP

 

Posted on by Fiona

Wild Tide Review the Fatyak Samos SUP

Wild Tide Review the Fatyak Samos SUP

Wondering whether to get the Samos Stand up Paddleboard and would like some really in-depth analysis of how the board handles, the pros and cons and how it compares to similar boards on the market? Read on…

Samos SUP

Here are some excerpts from Wild Tide’s review for the Samos SUP.

“When it arrived I was not disappointed. The colour is fantastic. I chose the Light Blue version, however, you can also get this in orange, green, yellow and red. When it arrived, I was dying to try it out and check out the features included. Vicky and I made the most of the good weather this weekend and headed to the beach, SUP included. Out on the water, the Samos proved a success.”Samos SUP

“Now obviously, you wouldn’t compare a £400 10′ sit on top kayak to a £2500 16′ touring sea kayak or even a 5’6″ white water freestyle kayak. So in the same way there is no point comparing the Samos to a fibre glass board or an inflatable one. It’s all horses for courses and they all suit different purposes. Of course you can get lighter, faster and more agile boards, but I honestly don’t know if you can get one that is so accessible and is so much fun. I will be comparing the Fatyak Samos to my other SUP which is rotationally moulded and made by Body Glove.”

Tough, forgiving and fun!

“The big one and it’s a huge one for me, is durability. As far as I’m concerned SUP is all about mucking about on the water, exploring, playing and having fun. The Samos does all these things brilliantly. It is possible explore caves, rocks and every nook and cranny of the shore, safe in the knowledge that you wont do much more than put a little scratch on it. You can hand it over to any family member confident that they wont be able to kill it. You can (and we do this a lot) paddle up next to your friend and jump between SUPs. It’s very tough, it’s very forgiving and it’s very fun.”

Read the full article here.

To view the Samos SUP in our shop, click here.

Happy Paddling!

The Fatyak Team

Related Articles: How to Paddle an SUP in a straight line, Choosing the right SUP Fin

Posted on by Fiona

Stand up Paddleboarding Basics

As the stand up paddleboarding scene continues to grow, and with our own Samos paddleboard now launched, you may be thinking of giving the sport a go! Stand up paddleboarding is certainly trending at the moment and offers a fresh perspective on the water for paddlers already involved in kayaking and surfing.

We’ve come up with some hints and tips for new paddlers, which we’ve broken down into 4 sections, so read on!

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We would always recommend buying a leash for your board

Equipment

While the saying “a good workman doesn’t blame his tools” may exist, it’s important to have the right selection of equipment and know how to use it for successful paddling. A leash is important to have on a SUP board, for the safety of yourself and others – as well as being convenient if you lose hold of your board. Additionally, make sure you take care of your paddleboard. While our new Samos is rotationally moulded and designed to last, it doesn’t hurt to carry out some regular maintenance – checking for any deep scratches or other issues to ensure a lifetime of paddling.

Position

Stand in the centre of the board, with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold the paddle with the top hand firm, and the lower hand looser. Stand upright, but with your core engaged and your knees slightly bent. This will help keep you a bit more stable.

When it doesn’t go so well however, you’ll want to know how to fall off the board properly, avoiding injury being the main goal. When you come off, try to fall away from your board – as far as possible, as large boards could potentially injure you in a collision. Not losing your board in this situation is another great reason why we would highly recommend a leash!

Technique

Once you have a stable stance on the board, you can start propelling yourself forward. Place the paddle right into the water at the front of the board (a little out from the board itself) and pull the paddle through the water, finishing no further than your feet. The most important tip is to keep the paddle as vertical as possible. For a more in-depth read on how to paddle your SUP, click here.

Environment

Lastly, a few key pointers to mention about the environment you’ll be paddling in can help you to have a fun, safe, and useful session on your board.

Space

Try to stay out of the way of other paddlers, any debris or coastlines that may cause you issues. Avoid rocky areas that might damage the board. To begin with we recommend lakes as a great place to start off.

Conditions

Be smart and ride waves in the right conditions for your level, ensuring you understand the flow of the water around you. In addition to this, keep an eye on the wind and what it’s doing. If you get caught on the wind, or you end up in difficulties, lie face down on your board, using your arms to paddle (like you would on a surfboard). This will prevent the wind from taking you away, and will give you full control of your board.