Standup paddleboarding (SUP for short) is a fun watersport that is perfect for the Sunshine Coast. Whether you want to navigate the ocean or lakes while feeling like you are walking on water, get some great exercise, or simply test your balance via this surf-inspired sport, there is a paddleboard location and variation for you to try. It’s easy and accessible, and there are many options from a rental or lesson to borrowing or purchasing a board locally.
You can even do yoga on a SUP!
The sport was born of a practical nature when Hawaiian surf scouts grabbed paddles to track bigger waves offshore while standing on their surfboards. Today the boards and paddles have been adapted to make standing easier while adding speed and stability. Even still, there are many SUP boards to choose from, each with a different shape and fin style, from sleek slim racing boards, to shorter surf-style boards (yes, you can still catch some waves while paddleboarding) to longer wider boards for beginners, and boards scaled down to be handled by kids. Paddles vary too, depending on what you’d like to do: catch waves, steady yourself in choppy seas, or propel yourself like crazy across calm waters.
My first try at paddleboarding was atop an easy-to-manoeuvre beginner board, offered by Hummingbird Mobile Paddle Board Rentals at Ellison Park on Lake Okanagan, in Vernon. Ever curious about the paddleboarders I’d seen at Davis Bay, it took a little mini-vacay to inspire me to give it a try. The wide, light and inviting inflatable paddle boards and calm lake waters made my intro to SUP a breeze.
After a brief introduction to the board, a life-jacket fitting, paddle orientation and a sunglasses safety briefing (hint: use inflatable sunglass straps to avoid losing your RayBans if you tumble into the surf) we hooked up our leashes (a rope that attaches your paddleboard to your ankle) and took to the water. The inflatable paddleboards are forgiving if you fall and easy to handle.
Essentially, we pushed off, straddling the middle of the paddleboard on our knees, with the paddle across the board in front. Using your hands and paddle as a ballast, you then stand up, one foot at a time. Take a few moments to get your balance – a wide stance helps. That’s when your core strength kicks in and you can thank your ab workout, Pilates or yoga routine for giving you the stability to stay upright.
After you’re up, paddle away, by gripping the top handle of the paddle with one arm and the middle of the shaft with the other. Keep your lower arm straight, alternating sides to move forward in a steady fashion. Keep your feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Hint: choose a calm day to try paddleboarding and don’t be afraid to fall in – that’s half the fun!
