Where do you get your inspiration?

Since I became a paddleboarder, but more so a SUP racer, I have looked up to paddlers across the world for my inspiration. Legends like Casper Steinfath, Candice Appleby, Michael Booth and Seychelle, true champions back then and even now – I loved watching them, meeting them and talking about them! 

Then when I got involved in the media side of SUP, broadcasting and interviewing paddlers and others, I started to listen to podcasts. It would normally be when I was training for an endurance event and needed to listen to someone inspirational to make the kms go faster.  

I also listen in the gym, drowning out the music in favour of stories of SUP adventurers like Brendon Prince, Jordan Wylie and Lizzie Carr. 

One of my favourites is SUPfm Podcast, which has just celebrated its tenth anniversary, which is a good long time in the podcast world. For those who believe it’s an easy job, you just need to look at those podcasts which come and go, to know that it is jolly hard work. The fun bit is the chat; the rest takes real time and energy. 

Back in 2021, I was asked to be a guest on SUPfm and had a lovely time chatting with the host, Simon. It was the start of a good working relationship, but more importantly he has also become a very good friend too. 

Since then we have recorded the odd podcast together and I invited him to join me on the mic at SUP Twelve – I don’t think he knew what he’d let himself in for, and it was the start of some really fun times on the mic at various events. Up until that point, I’d pretty much worked on my own but quickly realised what fun it is to have a co-host, bouncing ideas off each other and maybe earning a well-earned break, especially during the 12 hours of live broadcast at SUP Twelve! 

So, it was fitting that I was asked to interview Simon for SUPfm on the tenth anniversary of the show; again, I am not sure he knew what he’d let himself in for or even if he has ever been on the receiving end of the questions! 

We had the best time, made better by recording at Bournemouth Beach Lodges, the perfect space to work and play, right on the beach – the day we recorded it was pretty wild, with the wind up and the waves crashing onto the beach but we were snug and quiet enough for podcast recording in the Beach Lodge.  

Simon was the perfect guest and gave some wonderful answers to my questions, looking deeply at the past, the present and the future of SUPfm. His back catalogue of guests is impressive and there are some legends of SUP in there for sure. 

I recently wrote a blog for my website to coincide with the launch of this episode of SUPfm and here are some snippets of Simon’s thoughts pre-interview: 

“When I decided that the 10th Anniversary Episode of the podcast deserved something different, there was really only one person I wanted in that chair. Sarah Thornely has been part of the SUPfm story for a good while now … as a guest, as a co-commentator on the mic at SUP Twelve, and as someone who not only gets this sport on a level that’s hard to put into words but is enthusiastic, perceptive, and – as I already knew – asks very good questions. 

“I’ll be honest: sitting on the other side of the microphone was more unsettling than I expected. You’d think that after hundreds of hours of conversation, I’d be perfectly comfortable talking about myself. But there’s something about being asked to reflect on a decade of work, in one sitting, with someone who actually knows enough to catch you out, which focuses the mind rather sharply.” 

I really hope you listen to the episode and enjoy it but more importantly, investigate that back catalogue and see who might inspire you in your SUP adventures, be it racing or something a little more adventurous! Happy Paddling! 

You can listen to the episode here: 

10th Anniversary Edition – Racing, Adventure & What Comes Next – With SUPjunkie 

You can also read the associated blog on my website here: 

SUPjunkie Blog – Happy 10 Year Anniversary Simon 

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