When an idea to paddle 227km between the Spanish mainland region of Malaga to North Africa was recently conceived, the first thing which came to mind was of course, which board to use? Departing from Malaga the journey would pass by Alboran Island and then on to Melilla, a small North African Spanish-administered autonomous City, bordering Morocco.

Adventurer and stand up paddler, Carlos Toro, Juan Torrecillas of the Caixa Banking Group together with Carlos Rumbaco, decided to take on this aquatic challenge, with the purpose of raising funds and awareness of the efforts made by the Spanish Red Cross, who are compelled to assist refugees who often suffer injury or sickness in crossing from mainland Africa to Europe. Initially it was simply the challenge to do so, but the idea to make it also a fund raising event, ensured TV exposure and the chance for added sponsorship.

Juan Carlos Garcia Guerra of Navigaport and Mistral Spain, was to be on hand to support the team of three, providing logistical support by use of his charter Catamaran and supply of Mistral equipment, in this case, the sublime Interceptor 17’6” – the ideal board for the task in hand. Regrettably, Juan was ultimately unable to attend, but was to be with them in spirit, though his support by use of equipment was still on hand.

The decision to do so on a stand up paddle board (SUP) was not necessarily the most logical one, being as sea kayaks or similar would make provision for a physically easier challenge. However to do so by SUP, focused on the challenge more acutely, which made it ever more important that the choice of board was fit for purpose.

As with all of Mistral designs, we think long and hard before committing to the shaping process. This involves being very clear on the objectives we are setting out to achieve so as to combine and use all of the differing design elements to bring about the desired result. Neither are we wasteful in making endless prototypes, which is more of a recipe for confusion than clarity.

The motivation to design and develop two differing unlimited boards targeted for full release in 2019, was simply based upon the belief of the pursuit of the zenith, the peak of development the sport inspires. Such boards are not constrained by restrictions of convention and are unquestionably the fastest of the board designs available. By means of a simple mathematical formula, added water line length and sleekness results in longer glide times and often added stability for a narrow hull shape. Add to this the ability to add a foot operated rudder system and you are on your way to adding in a level of functionality and versatility which elevates the very experience of the sport, to another level.

It made sense to create two differing boards simultaneously in order to have comparative and directly opposite boards in respect of the conditions for which they are intended; the Stealth 17’6” for flatter waters and the Interceptor 17’6” for choppier conditions.

Conceived by Steve West and co-designed with Chris Diplock, the team took the very best of what had been created beforehand in 14’ versions of the Vortex and Equinox boards. The resulting Stealth flat water board, is devastatingly sleek and as fast as she looks. A super low drag co-efficient, makes this board, very fast to accelerate and it glides with effortless effort, during the recovery phase of the stroke. The Interceptor it was decided, should not be a dedicated downwind board, but be designed so as to be able to perform in a variety of water conditions, including down winding when conditions permit. With this in mind, this was the logical board for the 227km challenge which lay ahead.

Supported by Caixa Bank, Navigaport, Mistral, Red Cross Spain and Toro SUP, the conditions for crossing proved to be hot, with light winds and a slight sea, with some choppy sections and took just on three and a half days. Paddling during the day from just after sunrise to sunset, with one paddler resting on board the Catamaran, one leading, the three paddlers fell in love with the Interceptor, expressing that it was like no other board they had paddled before, making the experience achievable and pleasurable in attaining their goal.

Creating boards with no boundaries, very much represents the spirt of Mistral, to be provide vehicles of desire and aspiration which can provide free-thinking adventurists and pioneers, with the best of the best equipment capable of delivering truly amazing levels of performance.

Further afield in the USA, our Interceptor 17’6” is receiving great accolades from paddlers who are using the board for long distance paddling inland on the Colorado River for example. “A Magic Carpet Ride”, has been the term used to describe the sensation of being on the Interceptor and indeed the Stealth too, described as “Like nothing else I’ve have ever paddled” which tells us we have achieved our aims in creating boards which help to raise the paddlers experience of the sport and take it to new levels of enjoyment. More on this another time.

Mistral’s decision to support the Canoe Sailing races held in French Polynesia, comes as a result of Mistral’s passion for those who strive to form strong bonds with the ocean and in maintaining a connection to ancient past times, which often means living life on the edge.

Canoe sailing in this form, replicates how much of the Pacific was populated, through wind and sail, paddle and muscle power and a desire to explore a vast ocean in the belief that new islands were there to be found. The Holopuni Sailing Canoe is a specific design created in the Hawaiian Island by Nick Beck and it is this uniquely nimble and beautiful craft, which has given rise to the rebirth of Canoe Sailing again in areas of the world such as French Polynesia, where Canoe Sailing was once omnipresent. Today, the Vaa Taie Tautoru (The Tahitian Sailing Federation) oversees the racing of these craft in Tahiti and her islands and is led by Kavika Knight.

For Mistral, what can be more evocative than to see the M-Dot emblazoned on brightly coloured sails, far out in the ocean, wind powered and wind swept, atop an ever undulating watery carpet.

Culminating in a series of epic inter-island races during the year, the final event off the regatta calendar, is an epic inter-island, event staged in October, racing over 400km, setting out from the island of Tahiti to Bora Bora, with stop offs in Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa, some of the world’s most beautiful islands.

Colourful Mistral sails will dot the cobalt blue tropical waters for this epic race and the sailors and paddlers will shield themselves from the tropical sun, with our caps and lycra tops as they face the harsh extremes of a tropical sun, tropical down pours, a relentless rolling ocean and an ever present trade wind, moving them every further onward to their final goal.

Mistral, ever seeking out adventures in paradise . . .

Paddlesports have consistently grown worldwide each year for the past 15 years. Indeed the only activity which consistently out performs paddling, in all its forms, is hiking. For us here at Mistral, the option to embrace the sport more fully through the development of a highly advanced, drop stitch kayak which can double also as canoe, was something we could not resist.

Mistral’s fame may well centre on its legacy with Windsurfing, which we are now moving back towards, but the big picture demands we are more water sports varied and orientated, so as not to be aligned with but one water sport. Canoeing and Kayaking align well with SUP; but if your looking to invest in a truly utilitarian paddling craft, it’s hard to beat the unique qualities, a stable and sleek canoe like craft offers.

The best part of sitting whilst paddling, is the relaxed feeling you can embrace. Paddle fast or slow, cruise or power your way forward, it does not matter, because the option of merely meandering and taking in the smells, the views, the embrace of nature will be at your finger tips for you to control with ease.

Head of the Dart Race England – (8 mile river race, Britain’s largest SUP race) Congratulations to Ginnie Odetayo for her 2nd place finish in the female 14′ division (Vortex) just behind the winner in a field of some 120 competitors and to James Van Drunen who also finished second racing his new 14’SD1 Vortex in a field of over 200 competitors, just a few seconds behind first place over the 8 mile course. James led for most of the race, but his tactics worked against him in the closing kilometre in a royal battle between he and former team mate Ryan James. The friendly rivalry will continue on the 28th when they and other competitors will meet for London’s Battle of the Thames, where James will be present to defend his title. On a footnote, James was also awarded a Junior Award for the 1st youngest competitor. Great job!

Meanwhile in South Africa – the Vanquish 14′ arrives on its shores along with other new models unique to the SA market. South Africa is a uniquely placed bastion of the world in relation to its waters and winds. While it has its protected areas, it’s a wild and crazy geographical part of the planet in relative isolation, fringed by wild oceans, winds, sea life, currents and winds and a breeding ground of some of the most accomplished waterman and women on the planet . . .

OK, so you want to buy an inflatable stand up paddle board and you’re now completely confused having begun your search and been overloaded with choice. You could go for the cheapest on the market and by this measure, you will be investing in it’s only USP (industry speak for Unique Selling Point) – the price.

If you travel this pathway, know that you will get exactly what you pay for; poor materials, poor warranty (if any), lack of rigidity and therefore performance, poor valve systems, ineffectual undersized bags, inferior hand pump and little or no resale value. All in all, they serve a niche market for the relatively disinterested end-user not particular interested in investing in quality but more of a disposable consumable, where brand quality means little. Importantly, don’t be fooled also into thinking your SUP inflatable should look surf-board like in shape, unless you aim to sup-surf only, in which case the laminated board is the best option, always. On the other hand, we’ve since discovered our Tribe boards are also fun in shallow plunging waves as we found out in Tahiti in the right hands.