What’SUP with that? Why would anyone want to stand up on a board and paddle?
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new roads?
Walt Disney
You never know what you can do until you try. CS Lewis
The title is just part of my words when I would see people paddleboarding on a lake. I mean, isn’t it more comfortable to sit in a kayak or a canoe? Why would I want to do THAT?
But, being a inquisitive person, as well as a “water baby”…curiosity finally got the better of me, so a friend and I rented paddleboards and tried it on September 1st, 2022. Initially, I listened to the spiel of directions that the young attendant reeled off as we put in the water. I was wobbly as I tried to remember and apply every single word. Then I realized that if I relaxed and allowed body memory to feel the gentle rhythm of the water below me, just as I had always done when kayaking or canoeing on a lake, maybe it could be easier and fun. Still, as I awkwardly tried to balance and use the single paddle, I wasn’t sold on the idea of regular paddleboarding.
The next year, my friend and I rented paddleboards again and it was a bit more comfortable, though my friend wasn’t captivated with the idea of a SUP, and I still wasn’t sure if it was something I would do enough to buy a paddleboard. Then in May 2024,
another friend and I set out on Tahoe and paddled a fair distance on a perfect spring day. As we went along, I knew that this was something that I could totally enjoy with more practice. So, I bought my own paddleboard and all the necessary gear. I also bought a slightly-longer-than-usual double-bladed paddle to try out instead of using the single SUP paddle.
Thus began my passion for paddleboarding which grows exponentially each year! Now, I can answer the question posed in the title of this blog. If you already love kayaking or canoeing, and treasure time on the water, paddleboarding is a natural transition. Inflatable paddleboards are sturdy, easily portable (much more so than a rigid canoe or kayak), and they inflate quickly with a car inflator or by hand. When it comes to being on a paddleboard, there are so many options for position as opposed to a kayak or canoe where the only position is sitting. On a paddleboard, you can stand, kneel (handy for more efficient paddling in wind), or sit. AND, my favorite position when taking a break, you can stretch out on your paddleboard and totally relax! I also discovered that by using a longer double bladed kayak paddle, it was easier to paddle and gave me a lot more power with less effort when sitting or kneeling.
Have you ever hesitated to try something new, even though deep down, you knew that you might actually like it. We can get so stuck in our familiar ways and comfort zone that we push away new ideas or don’t give them a fair trial. Ha, like I always tell kids who are hesitant to try a new food….just think of what you would have missed out on if you hadn’t sampled that first chocolate chip cookie!
