Cross Country Skiing: The Perfect Winter SUP Training

Sometimes, in the deepest darkest depths of Winter, even my insatiable appetite for getting out on my Paddleboard, especially in the surf, lessens.

It is cold, and the idea of taking off layers of clothing, rather than putting them on, becomes a tough one to fathom. But taking the time to prep the body to fully maximize those sunnier, warmer days on the board will be rewarded. Winter is a great time to train, to concentrate on muscle groups and then reap the benefits in the Summer.

But, when the snow falls (and it doesn’t need much), then there is an activity ideally suited to SUP Cross Training, and, most importantly super fun to do…..Cross Country Skiing.

Cross Country Skiing usually takes place on fairly flat terrain, such as footpaths and forest fire roads, on very skinny, long skis. Think of it as doing skids, like you did as a kid on a wooden floor, which, alongside two long poles, propel you forwards. 

To Cross Country Ski, you need to harness good technique and form, use every muscle group and employ good aerobic fitness. A pair of Cross Country Skis will take you in magnificent terrain, show you views you may not have seen before and engage quietly with nature. Replace the words ‘Cross Country Ski’ with ‘Stand Up Paddleboard’ and you can see how much the sports are similar.

To be efficient with the two poles is to combine efficient placements of the pole with engaging the bodies core to maximize this. The stages the pole goes through in the entry, pull, exit and recovery stage are mirrored by the stages of a SUP paddle, and just one of the many things you can do which will benefit you when back on your Paddleboard.

Scotland, when it snows, becomes an XC Ski paradise. A flat expanse of terrain is the ideal place to start. A path or fire road through a forest is a perfect location. In Perthshire, probably the best location with mile upon mile of perfect paths would be Griffin and Calliacher Forests. They are located mere minutes from our Loch Freuchie teaching hub. Other top Scottish locales would Clashnadarroch Forest near Huntly and Glenmore Forest near Aviemore.

So, the next time there is a dusting of snow, it could be the perfect opportunity to get out there, explore, learn a new skill, all the while benefiting your paddling in the lighter months.