ABU DHABI Australia’s ace stand-up paddleboarder Angie Jackson is looking to go one better this year as she eyes a top finish in the 2014 SUP World Series.
Angie, who had finished second overall in 2013, made a rousing start in Brazil – the first leg of the World Series – to grab full points last month. Despite not finishing on top of the podium in the Abu Dhabi leg, she still tops the women’s ranking table with five stops remaining this season.
“To win in Brazil the way I did was really good. It gives me good confidence and obviously puts me in a good points position for the year. It’s good to stay on the top,” said Angie.
“I had a big off-season at home for about five months where I got a new coach, new trainer and completely changed everything I was doing,” she added.
Angie says the break has done wonders to her fitness.
“Last year I finished really tired and finished second. This year I want to win, so I’m going to try and give it my best,” said Angie, who was in Abu Dhabi for the first time.
“I loved it, it’s really good. We arrived – we were in Dubai first and then we went out to the wave pool out in the desert [Al Ain] and had fun out there.
“It was really hot! It’s really nice and definitely my favourite spot. The whole set-up here with Yas Island is really nice,” she added.
Angie began paddling around six years ago and went up the ladder to emerge as one of the top paddlers in Australia and in the world.
“I started paddleboarding about six years ago, coming from a professional kitesurfing background. I tried paddling and really enjoyed it. Then I got into the fitness aspect of it all.
“I’m more into the racing side of things, I don’t really surf that much on the stand-ups. I enjoy racing. I’m a competitive person, so to just get on a board and a paddle and you’ve got no one else to rely on except for yourself to get to the finish line as fast as you can – it’s just clean cut,” she said.
Angie also got to spend quality time at the Yas Waterworld which she described as an amazing experience. “It was really good fun, to be picked up in a limo and taken there – we’ve been given the VIP treatment. That was really cool.”
