Try a SUP Board, and Take on Something New this Summer

S'UP, Port Washington?

You may have seen them already in the water. What are they doing? Surfing? Standing up in a kayak? Where’s the sail? 

It’s a SUP board! a Stand-Up Paddle board. And it’s a lot of fun. 

It is basically a surf board, but never being on a real surf board, I couldn’t tell you how they differ. You also have a paddle, but not like a kayak paddle that has the paddle attachments at both ends. This is a long pole with one paddle end in which you switch sides, depending on the direction you want your board to go.

You will also need clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and — if you do get wet — you’ll want to be wearing something that moves with you in the water instead of weighing you down. Because I was in 12-feet of water at the deepest point, and I’m a fairly good swimmer, I didn’t wear a life-vest. I know, I know ... but I was also in a class with a teacher watching over me. If I would be paddling on my own, say in Lake Michigan, then — yes, I would be wearing a life-vest. 

Did I mention that it’s a lot of fun?

I took a class at Kohler Sport’s Core. There they have their own private lake in the back which, as I mentioned, is only about 12 feet deep: a nice place to practice for the first time! As I picked up the board I was surprised to feel how light it was! It weighed about 20 pounds, which was at least 10 pounds lighter than my bike! We put the boards in with the fin down, placed hands on either side of the board and slowly kelt on it. 

When I felt comfortable I stood slowly and located my feet in the middle of the board, about hip-width apart. We used the paddle to push off from the shore and just practiced not falling in. Knees bent helped with that! When you do fall in, however, it’s best to swim after the board first then tow it to your paddle. It’s hard to swim with a paddle in your hand.

Balance is the key. And yes, I did fall. But only once!

Even falling was fun — and instructor Judi Goeden helped. She told me that after I fell in for the first time, balance would become easier. And it did. It was that getting over the fear of falling first (falling into a soft landing, mind you) that helped my balance become stronger. 

Once you master your balance, it’s a piece of cake. OK — I didn’t exactly master it, but once you get in the groove, you can go really fast. I only wobbled when I stopped paying attention to what I was doing and started to watch my surroundings. I watched the fish at the edges of the lake, I even watched dragon flies buzzing around, checking me out. When you get tired or just need a break, you can sit on the board, paddle with your hands or feet and just enjoy. 

I paddled around that lake for an hour. I was tempted to jump in a few times, but it does take a lot of energy to just get back on the board. It’s like a belly flop onto the board, and then steadying yourself and finally back to standing.

Sports Core even has yoga classes on the boards. I had enough to worry about standing upright, let alone doing a downward-dog! Maybe next time. 

Not too many places carry rentals yet, but if you search for kayak rentals, there’s a chance they may be doing SUP rentals as well, such as Ecology Outfitters in Sheboygan: 920-452-9555. Otherwise, contact Judi Goeden at Sport’s Core in Kohler at 920-457-4444 and get more information on their yoga classes in the middle of the lake! 

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