The Doctor´s Spot

THE DOCT SPOT R´S

The Club

Pablo Codesido

Sometimes one thinks that it belongs to the prehistory of Stand Up Paddle (SUP), and in reality, it does not stop learning day by day. In my case, I was always an “independent”, or at least that’s how it appeared in the competitions to which I signed up. When we started paddling and doing tricky traverses where I live, few people were hooked on this activity. Surfing, canoeing and other more established modalities dominated the preferences of the people. I remember almost always rowing alone and for several years trying to get out on the water, despite all the day to day responsibilities, to train a little, improve something and go to competitions in the best possible conditions. The shadow of the lone wolf is not as attractive as it seems. Appearing in competitions as “independent” a priori seemed even romantic. One against the world.

Suddenly a group of friends emerged who created a Club, and again one begins to learn and give importance to hundreds of things that seemed obvious. Those of us who have done other competitive sports, call them basketball, futball, athletics…etc, have always taken for granted what a club is. But we already did it in a consolidated system. The SUP and specifically the Race is still experiencing times of expansion where the discipline itself still has difficulties fitting in.

Membership and participation in a club is a wonderful experience. The Club or sports centre is the true gem of the quarry, being able to see athletes grow who will later be elite. To be able to create a social network where a sport means health and fun and to learn from the companions the rules of the sea, of the sport, of the materials and regulations. Share the concerns about that board or that paddle, that beach or that route, or passionately watch an international competition all together examining conditions, paddling... Having a training group where some pull others and feel the security of facing other challenges, next to other souls thirsty for adventure. Ultimately, it’s priceless.

Without a doubt, the benefits of rowing in a group are well known and in my case, prioritizing the health aspect, both in the physical and psychological dimensions, is extremely important. But it is also that the educational part of a Club makes it even more important, it is still a school where children and adults are trained to carry out an activity that they are passionate about and therefore implies values that are part of personal growth.

In addition, the Clubs give another dimension to sport, in some cases, they manage material and are the great promoters of events and competitions, facing the great administrative difficulties that this entails.

But the importance of a Club is often given by the implication of their leaders. This is a small tribute to those people who have decided to base their professional activity in a Club and who have been trained for it, both from the sports and administrative fields, in my opinion, a particularly important point. At a time when we are witnessing the proliferation of occasional summer businesses, with material and monitors of a more than desirable quality and with no objective beyond that of profit itself, from here we vindicate those Clubs that prioritize quality training in their facilities. and qualified personnel because this is a safe value so that its associates and clients enjoy the sport to the fullest. I could already give you various examples of SUP Clubs that are doing a magnificent job and of the people who pull the bandwagon of them. As I said at the beginning, they are the spearhead for this sport to continue progressing, but surely many of you have them in your minds. Without a doubt, to anyone who wants to start in this sport, I would recommend, without a doubt, approaching one of these Clubs.

For a long time, I was one of those “SUPEROS” without a Club. But for some time now I have had the opportunity to belong to one of the best in this country, at least in what corresponds to SUP, and that has made me grow, if possible even more, the illusion for this wonderful sport.

Pablo Codesido Medical specialist in traumatology and orthopedic surgery

www.drpablocodesido.com

@PabloCodesido PabloCodesido