Bobby Cooper is the United Kingdom's leading junior stand up paddler. When the press releases went out with the results of the first British Stand Up Paddle Association competition, new stars were born. Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine (SUPSURFMAG.COM) was stoked to be able to interview Bobby and gain some insight into who she, where she's from, and how far she plans to take the sport.

SUPSURFMAG: Bobby, you recently won the BSUPA event in West Wittering. You're photos are showing up all over. Who are you, where are you from, and what can you tell us about yourself?

BOBBY:  Well this is me, 16 and bursting with life, energy and sport! I absolutely love to SUP and surf... the best two things in life! I'm a beach bum and wouldn't be able to live without the coast. I also love to party! At the moment I'm taking my GCSE's at Chichester High school and can't wait to get them over with, so I can head to Cornwall and ride those waves! I live in Wittering with my parents and i work at 2xs windsurfing club on west Wittering beach, best place to be i reckon! I first started windsurfing in 2001 on my mates dads board, it was a right laugh with about 90 litreage... no buoyancy for a beginner. I then got my own kit which I'm now selling. I picked up surfing in 2007 on a foamy and then got my first short board (6'6 escape) in the summer! I'm still surfing with the little swell we have in wittering, its not to great I'd prefer to be in Hawaii!

SUPSURFMAG:  What can you tell us about Wittering?

BOBBY:  Hhmmmm Wittering, it's an amazing place to live, so beautiful! The village isn't really up to much apart from the old people and the odd bus stop! I've been coming here since i can remember and even recall my first polystyrene surfboard haha! The beach is incredible soft silk-like sand for a good long run and lagoons to windsurf and kite-surf in! Hardly any swell but we do get some good days with a few clean lines for those long-boarders... It gets bigger in the next village along. On the other hand there's West Wittering Windsurf Club where i've worked for the past few years as a grom. Its awesome all the guys are great and the tuition (x-train) is immense, it's were I learnt to SUP!

SUPSURFMAG:  How did you get started stand up paddling?

BOBBY:  Well i first saw it last summer through simon. I didn't take any notice until he told me I should learn, due to the women's field being quite open! I first learnt to SUP at the Jimmy lewis and Gong demo day at West Wittering beach through 2xs. My boyfriend and  just decided to take out a few boards and play around, we both got it with in the first half hour! I was hooked, and couldn't get enough! I heard about the competition and decided to enter although I wasn't that sure i was going to get anywhere! I finally decided that friday night and went for it!

SUPSURFMAG:  How has stand up paddling been growing and received in the U.K.?

BOBBY:  From what I've seen it's gradually growing! After last weeks event a lot more people have been involved and want to take it on a serious note! I was expecting a lot more women and juniors, thank God there wasn't though! I hope to see the sport grow even further and the juniors take part... THE FEILD IS OPEN!

SUPSURFMAG:  You’re certainly one of the first breaking the ice over there for stand up paddlers. What’s that like?

BOBBY:  After winning the juniors event, having the top rankings in the UK at the moment and riding for Gong its pretty incredible! I've been ecstatic all week due to the coverage of the event and getting in touch with you guys from SUPSURFMAG! I'm currently looking for sponsors and hope to get some soon... before the next BSUPA event! I also hope I'm encouraging others!

SUPSURFMAG:  Congratulations on your win at the recent BSUPS event! I know they were hoping for waves but sometimes Mother Nature would rather have us paddling flat water. For you, personally, what were the highlights of the competition?

BOBBY:  The atmosphere of the event was amazing, everything about it, even the early start! Meeting new people and other SUPer's was one of the biggest highlights, i love to meet new people! Just taking part was really cool, let alone winning both the junior races that day! The after party was pretty good, i spent most of the night talking about sponsors and SUP with Jon Parker, thanks a lot Jon, a big help! The following day was intense with the expression session but I managed to pull it off, and came first! I also won the final distance race! Overall my scores have given me the top junior rankings in the UK and I hope to keep these by competeing in the next three BSUPA events! Overall the competition was awesome for my first water-sports comp! Thanks Simon!

SUPSURFMAG:  Now, we understand that you recently started working more closely with GONGSUP. Patrice and his crew seem like a really fun people to work with. What are your thoughts on that?

BOBBY:  Aw man it would be incredible to get this sponsorship, I want it so so bad! I'd love to be able to see Patrice again or even train with him and his crew. He's an awesome rider and I've learnt allot. I've recently brought their greedy quad... a great board!

SUPSURFMAG:  Do you have any plans to travel, surf, or compete?

BOBBY:  Over the summer I have plans to go and ride down in Cornwall and Devon (Woolacombe and Coyde) surfing and SUPing along the way! I'm also going to compete in the next three BSUPA rounds and hope to keep my rankings up and get those sponsors! I've always wanted to travel and hopefully I will with this sport... I'm thinking Hawaii, North Shore?

SUPSURFMAG:  If there was one message you could send to stand up paddlers worldwide what would that be?

BOBBY:  Well there's always that one message you can send to any surfer... live the dream, create your own style and ride how you want to ride. NOW GO FIND THEM WAVES!

SUPSURFMAG:  Finally, are the any shout-outs that you’d like to send?

BOBBY:  I'd like to say a huge thank you to the boys at 2xs and especially Jane and Simon Basset for all their support and running the event! Also you guys at SUPSURFMAG for giving me this great opportunity! On the other hand... my boyfriend for all his support and for lugging kit to events haha... that's what the men are for right? Thanks Guys!

SUPSURFMAG:  Great. Will you stay in touch and keep us posted on the latest from your side of the lake?

BOBBY:  I'd love to stay in touch with you guys from SUPSURFMAG ... It seems a really good magazine and I hope to do allot more write ups for you! I'll keep you posted on all my events! For now... get SUPing and I'll see you out there sometime!

Thanks again to Bobby for the keen insights and stoke.
For more info about the British Stand Up Paddle Association, visit www.BSUPA.org.

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