Starboard Team Rider Annabel Anderson had met the Munich SUP crew in Hamburg at the Jever World Cup where she finished 2nd. She had stayed in touch with Petra, who also paddels on the canal in London and had seen some photos from the scenic tours through Bavaria. So one early Saturday morning in December, she headed south for some more paddling adventures.

Carsten Kurmis (Imagine Surfboards), Etienne Stander (Munich Stand Up Paddling), Andrea Moravcova (Bavarian Waters) and Petra Offermanns (SUP-guide.com) took her out to show her the best of Bavaria.

Saturday’s itinerary was a small inner city tour (Annabel had gotten up at 3:30AM to catch a 4:06 train to the airport) paddling on the main river Isar and its canal. Very bravely Annabel surfed a small river wave in 5°C water temperature. Afterwards the crew went to one of Munich’s most traditional “Christmas markets” @ Weissenburger Platz and warmed up with mulled wine and MET (honey wine).

For Sunday, the paddlers packed firewood and BBQ stuff and ventured to a crystal clear, snowy mountain lake. Andrea from the Bavarian Waters Team even packed a candle to light on her board, as in Germany it is tradition to light one candle for each Sunday in advent. While the skiers and snowboarder had to queue in long lines to get up the mountains, the Stand UP Paddle crew were all by themselves on a quiet, peaceful mountain lake.

sup-snow-bbw

Petra explains: “The water was so clear, you could see to the ground and flat as a mirror so you could see the reflections of the mountains. When we paddled back, it was almost dark and the reflections of the village’s lights were so amazing, that I wanted to take another Photo. It took me a while to get the settings right, and when I finally got an OK photo, I could not see Annabel and Carsten anymore. I paddled towards the shore, but had no clue where to get out, until I saw a tiny light, that was Carsten giving me signals with his iphone flash! I did not get wet while paddling, in fact I was wearing snowboard boots because my feet got so cold the day before. I took the shoes off and went for a quick swim. Well, that was cold!”

Andrea (Bavarian Waters): “I never felt so detached from reality before. It was amazing!”

Annabel (Starboard): “Simply one of the most majestical & mystical experiences ever. Totally & absolutely serene!”

Special Thanks to Carsten Kurmis  for taking us there with the magic van and lending us the boards

If you are interested in paddling this area: www.flatwater-sup.de offers guided tours.

All pics are (c) Petra Offermanns | SUP-guide.com,

If you would like to use them, please drop us a mail (admin-at-sup-guide.com)

Equipment

Annabel and Petra were wearing 3/2mm wetsuits with a softshell jacket on top and biking/running gloves. Carsten was wearing a full snowboard outfit, this is only advised for experts, in case you fall in, swimming is really hard.