ON THE RADAR
Paddle Power
Stand-up paddleboarding is making a splash across Canada.
By Maggie Welt
Despite being a comprehensive workout, paddleboarding is considered low-impact, making it suitable for people seeking a gentler form of exercise. | BACKGROUND VIDEO: KRYVOSHAPKA/ENVATO
FOR TRISH DOUGLAS, the serenity of paddleboarding is unparalleled. “There’s nothing like getting out on the water on a calm morning without a ripple on the lake,” says this cottager on Kawagama Lake in Ontario. A growing number of folks likely agree with Douglas. The popularity of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has exploded in recent years. People are discovering this peaceful mode of water travel. Bonus: it’s a great core workout, too.
FROM ANCIENT ROOTS TO MODERN LAKES
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: ROSSHELEN/ENVATO
WHY STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING IS BOOMING IN CANADA
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 space in your home or car. Typically made of heavy-duty PVC, the board is simply 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 Trish Douglas and many others 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.” CAA
Let’s Paddle.
Find an SUP location to get started.
Algonquin Outfitters
Locations: Huntsville, Algonquin Park and Haliburton, Ont.
- rentals, sales, demos of paddleboards and accessories
- Visit Algonquin Outfitters
ipaddle adventures
Location: Kew-Balmy Beach, Toronto, Ont.
- rentals, SUP yoga classes, guided tours, team-building sessions
- Visit ipaddle adventures
Despite being a comprehensive workout, paddleboarding is considered low-impact, making it suitable for people seeking a gentler form of exercise. | PHOTO: KRYVOSHAPKA/ENVATO