With the current trends in the paddling industry, Stand-up Paddling (SUP) may be the first recreational sport to cross not only the surf market, but the general paddling market, and also enter the fishing and fitness markets as well.  A new twist on one of the ealiest forms a recreation, stand up paddling takes elements from surfing and kayak and canoeing and blends them into one of the best workouts money can buy.  With the ability to do well in several genres of watersports SUP may be the next big trend from coast to coast.

“Stand up paddle surfing is derived from Polynesian roots. The Hawaiian translation is Ku Hoe He’e Nalu; to stand, to paddle, to surf, a wave.”

The modern form of SUP originated in Hawaii as a means for surf instructors to have a higher vantage point of the surrounding area and their students and SUP was an easier way to get out into surf, it also afforded a great form of exercise to big wave surfers when the surf was down.  The main differences in surfing and SUP is that the later can be done without waves.  With enough stability and buoyancy a SUP board can be used in flatwater as well.  Around 2000, the sport migrated to California. As it caught on, it wound its way into the american surf culture. It didn’t take but a few years for it to jump coasts and is now migrating into inland lakes and rivers.  With its roots firmly planted in the surf culture it is an easy transition from surfing to SUPing; however, with the evergrowing popularity of paddlesports many paddlers are making the transistion to standing while enjoying their sport on both flatwater and, more recently, whitewater.

The equipment needed to enjoy SUPing is fairly basic.  A stand-up paddle board (an old windsurf board with all the foot loops removed works as well), a stand-up paddle and clothes you don’t mind getting wet in (swim trunks and a t-shirt or rash guard).  The size of the board is important depending on the type of paddling you plan on doing and the size of the paddler. The smaller the board the more maneuverable it will be for surfing but it also means it won’t track well on flatwater. The longer the board the straighter it will travel on flatwater like lakes and other inland waterways. It is not uncommon for a inland SUP board to be 12+ feet in length. Longer boards will also typically carry more weight, but you also have to take the thickness and width of the board into consideration. The thicker the board the more weight it can hold. If you are going to be SUPing in the surf a leash (a longer version of the surf leash) is needed to keep the board from getting too far away from the paddler. These boards are typically equiped with either a single large fin or a large fin and two smaller fins on the bottom of the board to aid in the boards tracking (keeping the path of travel in a straighter line). In cooler temps adding layers or a wetsuit, neoprene booties and even gloves can keep one paddling into and through the winter months.  If taking this sport into a whitewater venue interests you, the addition of a good whitewater helmet and possibly even knee and elbow pads may be a good idea.

The paddles used are similar to a canoe paddle except they are 7-9+ feet in length and are often fiberglass or carbon fiber.  Wood paddles are also fairly common, but can be heavier than their composit brethren.  Though not a steadfast rule, adding 8-10 inches to the paddlers height is a good place to start in determining paddle length.  The type of paddling you are doing (flatwater, surf or racing), the distance you plan on traveling, and your personal preference also should come into play. Surf paddles are often a little shorter while flatwater and race paddles often longer.  If traveling many paddles come in 2-3 pieces so they can be broken down for packing.  Some paddles are adjustable in length to accomidate different styles of paddling without having to get a paddle for each style.  My favorite paddle is the Werner Spanker, a super lightweight, stiff, carbonfiber paddle (http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/stand_up/performance_core/spanker/).  It has a larger blade width for a greater purchase on the water.  Others we currently carry at GetOutdoors are the Werner Advantage (an all fiberglass paddle) with a somewhat narrower blade for efficient flatwater SUPing (http://www.wernerpaddles.com/paddles/stand_up/premium/advantage/).  If you like wood paddles the WhiskeyJack Ocho, is a suprisingly lightweight model (http://whiskeyjackpaddles.com/paddles_ocho.asp).

Once equiped, getting started is fairly easy. When begining this process make sure you are in deep enough water to safely fall of your board without hitting anything in the water.  Wearing a PFD (personal floatation device/ lifejacket) is also a great idea and is often required as SUP boards are now categorized by the coast guard as watercraft like a canoe or kayak (http://www.supmagic.com/sup-standup-paddlesurfing-and-bouyancy-aids/). Start by placing the board in about a foot or more of water, making sure to have enough depth to clear the boards fin of the bottom of the lake.  Start out on your knees about shoulder width apart in the middle or the balance point of the board (this is often were the grab handle or hand groove is) and get a feel for the stabilty of the board and how it reacts to your movements in the water.  More stability is gained by forward momentum and once you start to feel more confident in your movements, standing is the next step.  Lean forward on all fours, with the paddle laying perpendicular to the board and under your hands.  From this stance get your feet under your hips (remember to keep your feet shoulder width apart) and stand in one clean motion.  The smoother this is done the easier standing will be, jerky movements will often land you in the drink.  As you become more comfortable balancing on your board and paddling freely about, you can start to work on paddling technique and becoming a more efficent SUP boarder. More on these techniques in later posts.

As I stated previously SUPing has a great fitness aspect not only do you get a great upper body workout from paddling, but by balancing on the board you also incorporate your legs and core into the workout. The is a great was to cross train and make training more enjoyable without having to force yourself to workout in a gym. The core workout is probably the most beneficial aspect SUPing will give the paddler. A strong core enables better balance and coordination, in addition it also make you less prone to back injuries. A good friend who got me started SUPing had back surgery last year and used SUPing as a means of rehabilitation and she is now stronger than she was prior to her surgery.

We are in the process of bringing SUP Boards in the store, we will have a selection of entry-level through high-end boards that range in price from $900- $2300. With the popularity of kayak fishing, Native Watercraft will, hopefully soon, be releasing the Osceola. This 12 foot Kevlar board blends some basic kayak designs with the tradition of the stand-up paddle boards. It has a simple dugout design and a shallow “v” hull which allows for more secondary stability and foot purchase on the deck than a SUP board typically has. Equipped with deck bungees and Scotty rod holder mounts this new board will allow the more adventurous fisherman to take fishing and SUPing and blend them together for a new angling experience (http://www.nativewatercraft.com/media/videos/osceola.cfm).

Be on the lookout at GetOutdoors for new lines of SUP boards to get you started in this great sport later this fall and into next spring. Keep an eye on the local lakes as you will see a lot more of us using them to travel our local waterways and exercising through the winter.

Check out this link for a recent local news story on WXII 12 about this exciting trend in paddlesports as we taught local weather man Austin Caviness to SUP (http://www.wxii12.com/video20730033/index.html).

See you on the water!!!

Will

Check out the following links for more info on SUPing
http://www.supmagic.com/
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php
http://howtostanduppaddlesurf.com/

Every month Get Outdoors offers a Basic Kayaking class free for anyone buying a kayak.

Over the years there has not been as much interest in canoe classes. I believe that traditionally people who buy canoes have been canoeing for years and already have a good grasp of some of the basic skills necessary to navigate a canoe.

Many canoers have not received formal instruction. I think that learning some basic canoe strokes, or more advanced techniques for those with experience can improve your experience on the water. Over the summer I am offering the chance to take a 2 hour canoe class for FREE.

This class will vary based on the participants experience. Beginners can look forward to tips on how to load the canoe on the car without hurting themselves or their canoe, outfitting the canoe, and basic strokes. We will learn to move the canoe in different directions with a combination of bow draws, sweeps, stern draws, prys, rudders, and forward strokes.

More advanced paddlers can learn more difficult manuevers like the sideslip, boat over boat rescues, backferries, cross bow strokes, and sculling.

People who do not own a canoe can take a lesson for $20.

This class is taught on flat water in Kernersville, NC.

I look forward to seeing you on the water.

Edgar Peck
American Canoe Association Level 4 Instructor
yespe@aol.com

On January 15, 2009 Nathan and I scouted a possible location for a paddling day trip on Reedy Fork Creek. The launch is at NE Park just east of Brown’s Summit between North Greensboro and Gibsonville, NC. We ran the shuttle (approx 30 min) and once back at the launch site in the park we unloaded our kayaks (I was paddling a Remix XP 10 and Nate was paddling the Tegris Ultimate 12) and set off. The air temps were in the low-mid 30’s with water temps a few degrees above freezing. A hundred yards down stream the Reedy Fork Creek joins Buffalo Creek. Buffalo Creek is a drainage ditch that winds through Greensboro picking up a lot of trash and debris and carries it by way of the Reedy Fork Creek into the Haw River.

This is a fairly scenic paddle. There are little to no roads, buildings, or structures along 90% of the this route. This mostly flat water paddle has intermittent rapids (class I) with one class II rock garden about halfway along this eight mile paddle.

After slogging through the backwater of the dam, near what will be the take out for store trips, and commenting on the overwhelming amount of trash in this area, we portaged the dam and continued on to the confluence of the Haw River.

At the confluence we turned left and continued up the Haw River, portaging a few rapids the were either too strong or too bony to paddle up we finally stopped just short of the take-out on US-87 and carried the boats a couple hundred yards to the van. By the time we got to the take-out the air temps were in the mid 20’s and ice had formed on our boats and paddles. It was an invigorating day on the water and will give us more opportunities to take folks out on local waterways. We will be organizing a river clean-up on this stretch of water later this spring.

Remix XP 10 review:

Paddler Height- 5′ 11″, weight- 175 lbs (+ approx 10 lbs of gear for the days paddle)

The outfitting was extremely comfortable, I used most of the hip pad shims to get a snug fit in the boat. The large rear hatch and bulk head kept my gear dry and no water was found in the hatch at the end of the trip. The hatch was big enough to swallow a 200 cubic inch pack, shoes, and a few water bottles and was nowhere near full. I could have doubled the gear I was carrying easily. The tray that runs up the center of the cockpit was great to keep a water bottle and snacks handy and and dry in one place in the boat so I didn’t have to try to find them had they slid around in the cockpit.

I did not use a skirt due to the recreational aspect of the paddle and to see how wet I would get since I would imagine many folks using this boat may not want to use a skirt. I stayed quite dry during the day, a little water came in over the cockpit rim when leaning the boat on edge so Nathan could see the skeg.

The skeg worked remarkably well, I left it up while paddling through the ledges and rock gardens that dot this paddle, but during the majority of the trip I left in down to help the boat track in the long flat water stretches. Wondering how much the small skeg really helped, I put it through a couple of tests. First I paddled with the skeg up and the XP 10 handles like a big whitewater boat. It is fairly maneuverable but has really good stability. It eddy turns and peels out well in minor rapids. With the ten foot length it does take a little bit of extra umph! to move it through tight areas, but the more this is done the easier it gets. For the next test on a deep flat water stretch with a good current (2-3 mph) I got a good head of stream going (with the skeg down) and the boat track remarkably well. I quickly raised the skeg and lifted my paddle over my head, the boat immediately started to spin out. As I came all the way around 360 degrees I deployed the skeg and the XP10 quickly started to track in a fairly straight line again. I also tested the durability of the skeg by purposely leaving it down and running over shallow rocks. I easily retracts back into the skeg box and pops back out when clear of the rock. The skeg seemed no worse for wear, at the end of the trip, after doing this a couple dozen times. The skeg does make a bit of noise rattling back and forth inside the skeg box but if it was any tighter debris would get stuck and potentially cause the skeg to malfunction.

The XP 10 also has remarkable stability. Both primary and secondary. I felt boomproof going over ledges sideways or bouncing off rocks, I wouldn’t recommend a novice doing this in the temperatures we were paddling in but under more comfortable conditions getting wet would not matter as much. This boat will also hold an edge if you can get it leaning and can maintain the good J-lean. The primary stability is so good it takes a good bit of effort to lean this boat on edge and I imagine a great deal of effort to actually tip it over.

Overall I would highly recommend this boat for mid-size to large paddlers who wants to do mixed paddling (flat to class I-III whitewater) but would like to get a bit more aggressive than you could in a rec boat. It is also great for the paddler that may not want to learn a roll, due to it bomber stability. This would be a great boat for the local NC Piedmont rivers (Dan, Haw, Yadkin, Mayo, Smith, New, etc). I did feel a little loose in this boat, but with a bit more time spent customizing the outfitting it would fit me well.

Please come stop by the store and see the new Liquid Logic Remix XP10 (also the XP9 for smaller paddlers), demos will start on March 14 at the Guilford side of Lake Mackintosh or join us the trip discussed above later this spring. Stay posted for times and dates.

Will