Trip Diary: Mornington Peninsula SUP Adventure
As someone who was born and raised in the beautiful State of Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula is a place I’ve visited many times. Numerous school holidays saw my family and I travel via ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento where we’d spend pristine summer days exploring the tranquil, untouched back-beaches a stone's throw from where we were staying.
During February and March this year, I led two She SUPs trips that took me back to this stunning stretch of coastline. While aspects felt so familiar, there’s many that changed my entire outlook of this diverse place.
Some of you may have heard that I’m the newest member to join the She SUPs team. So like many of you reading this blog, I had never been on a She SUPs trip before. That’s why I thought I'd create a bit of a trip diary to share with you a little behind the scenes of my very first She SUPs experience.
Over two weekends, I was joined by women from all over Australia who- while some had only met for the first time at the airport- were united by their absolute passion for Stand Up Paddleboarding and their eagerness to spend time with like-minded people.
The first lovely group of ladies I hosted in Feb :D
My second group were a BIG fans of the WAM Van!
Of course, as any seasoned paddleboarder would know, we are always at the mercy of the weather; the first weekend was a prime example of this reality! That’s why- despite leading the same trip- the itineraries were quite different to cater to the prevailing conditions.
Yup. That’s hail… in the middle of summer… ?! “Typical Melbourne“, aye?
With plenty of daytime wind and even snow-like hail one of the nights, our first trip saw us exploring even more of what Mornington has to offer than what we typically would.
From a superb coastal walk to the iconic Bushrangers Bay, to stall-hopping at the historic Red Hill Community Markets, resting our bodies at the Hot Springs before “rehydrating” at a local winery, making our own custom scented candles at the Red Hill Candle Co, sunset walks along the McCrae foreshore, and capping the weekend off with a peaceful paddle at a beautiful reservoir… ✨
… this trip had.it.all! 💁♀️
The following weekend was a whole different story! The sun was out, the water was more gentle (but not ALL the time 🙈), and the beautiful moments were many.
When reflecting on everyone's favourite part of the weekend, the one that stood out was from day one after 8km’s of paddling where we followed the gorgeous sandstone cliffs leading into Mt Martha beach. As we came around the corner, we were greeted by the stunning sight of an open blue sky, unbelievably crystal clear water and a beach made even brighter by the colourful beach boxes bordering the shoreline. Postcard perfect? We were convinced it was the DEFINITION.
While that was a brilliant moment, one that I personally loved was at our final sunrise paddle at a local reservoir. We came into a quiet quarry section where the water was still but the birds were singing oh-so eagerly in the trees around us. I got the group to carefully lay down on their boards, close their eyes and take a moment to really BE in the space; to HEAR the sounds and FEEL the environment we were so lucky to have to ourselves that morning. That was a moment that encapsulates what I love about taking people into the outdoors and was such a beautiful note to end those two weekends on.
What a place <3
I am immensely excited to be a part of the She SUPs Team and cannot WAIT to meet even more of this incredible Community of strong, funny, passionate women ✨
Have you been thinking about coming on a She SUPs trip? Well, stop thinking!-- just DO IT!
If you want to meet like-minded women, gain access to pristine SUP locations only the locals know about, eat incredible locally-sourced nourishing food, have time to unwind and escape the grind… THIS is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Looking forward to meeting you on our adventures to come ❤️
Brooke xx