RADAR

Take a Stand

Stand-up paddleboarding is making a splash.

By Maggie Welt

A closeup of feet on a paddleboard as it slowly and carefully navigates still waters. | BACKGROUND VIDEO: KRYVOSHAPKA/ENVATO

THE SERENITY of paddleboarding is unparalleled. A growing number of people would likely agree that there’s nothing quite like getting out on the water on a calm morning without a ripple on the lake. The popularity of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has exploded in recent years. More and more folks are discovering this peaceful mode of water travel. Bonus: it’s a great core workout, too. Some believe the origin of paddleboarding dates back to 3000 BC, when Peruvian fishermen used bamboo shafts to steady themselves on watercraft made of reeds and steer toward the fish. By the 20th century, however, paddleboarding had taken on a very different role — this time, in Hawaii. Surfing instructors would stand on a longboard, holding a kayak paddle, so they could teach their students while remaining upright and stable.

Calm, shallow waters with little to no boat traffic, waves or strong currents are ideal for young or novice paddleboarders. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF JASPER TOURISM

Today, paddlers take to lakes and rivers in droves. Paddleboards are now the fastest-growing segment of the paddlesports industry, and advancements in board design have helped boost popularity.

“The new boards are easier shapes for lakes,” says Chris Bosworth of Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville, Ontario. Paddleboarding has exploded in the last 10 years, he says, because companies began manufacturing boards specifically for flat water. “They are more stable and take less work to steer on the water.”

Another innovation is the inflatable board, which is perfect for city dwellers because it doesn’t take up much space in your home or car. Typically made of heavy-duty PVC, the board is easily inflated at the shoreline. But if storage isn’t a concern, hard boards are ideal, says Bosworth. Their solid hull makes them durable, and their width allows them to sit lower in the water because of increased weight distribution for more stability. There is a wide range of hard boards and accessories to fit different budgets.

For Bosworth, SUP is great for beginners because it’s safe, incredibly fun and relatively easy to learn. “You can start out kneeling if you want and it’s easy to stop for a break. You can just sit down on the board and float.”

And the payoff, as many new paddleboarders are discovering, is massive.

“The word I always use is ‘freedom,’ ” says Bosworth. “People often say [that] once they get used to standing up, they just can’t believe how free they feel.” AMA

Let’s Paddle.

Two paddleboarders travel down a narrow channel between mountain peaks.

Bow Valley SUP and Soft

Locations: Banff and Canmore, Alta.

rentals and sales of a variety of inflatable SUPs
river and lake lessons, guided tours, kids’ camps
Visit Bow Valley SUP

A female paddle boarder navigates some light rapids.

CANRVRSUP

Location: Cochrane (lessons in Bow River Valley), Alta.

flat-water/white-water lessons
Visit CANRVRSUP