Stand Up Paddling … Time To Sit Down

by Sue Freeman

It seems to be all the rage. I keep seeing mentions of the new paddling sport called stand up paddling. It started with surfers paddling out to meet the waves. The equipment and techniques got revised and fine tuned and has now emerged as a whole new sport. Intriguing, I thought. I’d like to try that some day.

Some day arrived over this past week end. Rich & I were at a kayak festival and a stand up paddle board vendor was offering free intro lessons and a free spin around a shallow pond on a stand up paddle board. Karma smiled down upon us and we jumped at the opportunity.

The instructor described the board and paddle to us and showed us how they’re used. The board was bigger than a surf board – wider and thicker anyway. But it was fairly lightweight and had a hole in the middle so it could be easily picked up and carried to the water. The top surface had a non-skid rubber covering and the far rear had a turned up ridge where you could brace your foot for quick turns at the top of a big wave. (Of course, our small pond was glass-still so that option wouldn’t get tested today. Besides, big waves scare the begeebers out of me.) Otherwise, the board was fairly flat on top. The paddle was an elongated canoe paddle with the blade bent forward.

The technique involved pushing offshore, lying on your belly on the board with the paddle braced under your hands. Once afloat, you’d rise to your knees, get balanced, then rise to your feet and get balanced again. Then begin paddling, alternating sides as needed.

I entered this test run expecting to get wet. I swam plenty as I learned to sailboard. OK, “learned to sailboard” is probably stretching the point. I owned a sailboard and used it a fair amount but I never really learned or mastered it. I was a pro at struggling against the beast and was famous for getting towed back to shore.

But, I had no problem staying upright and dry on the paddleboard. But, remember, the pond was glass-flat. No waves, no wind, no forces at all other than me gently paddling along – so simple!  Then I had to turn – or ram the far shore of the pond. I slid my foot back to a front/back stance (changing from my side by side stance) and slid toward the back of the board. This was supposed to raise the bow of the board and turn the board in the direction of the weight I applied. I dug my paddle in & fought to get the board to move. At this moment my mind flashed back to my struggles with the sailboard. I did manage to turn the board and completed several loops of the pond.

When I returned to the launch, the board salesman beamed and declared, “You’re a natural.” I didn’t feel like a natural. Yes, I had stayed dry, and successfully maneuvered the board. But, the thrill wasn’t there. I think I’m a sitter – I like the lowness of my kayak.  Plus,  I’m now relieved of the necessity of buying another toy.

link to paddleboard vendor site