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Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 22, 2011 - 07:53pm PT
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Flatw#ter Stand Up Paddleboarding has officially taken over Lake Tahoe, and apparently everywhere else. I've even seen dudes pushing their longboards down the street in Reno with a duct tape-footed pole/paddle contraption. Why?
I'm a sea-kayaker. I love it. Flat water, rough water, surfing, rock-gardening, touring, whatever. Light, fast, responsive, and utterly sea-worthy. Water bottle on the deck if you want, stash your jacket under the rigging, and on a tour you can bring along almost as much crap as you do car-camping.
The only advantage I can see to SUP is that you get a better perspective by standing up: it's a better vantage for distance, seeing over waves, as well as looking down in the water. But other than that, what's the deal? It looks fun, I suppose, but compared to rolling around in a kayak...I just don't get it. I suppose a 25-30 lb board is a little bit more manageable for your average granny to chuck on her Outback, but what's another 15 lbs for the convenience of getting a backrest for the rest of the day? Is it 'cause Laird Hamilton does it, and he's burly?
Anyway, I'm trying to be open-minded about this. So please, enlighten me.
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perswig
climber
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:26pm PT
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The dude above looks to be playing asphalt polo. Or croquet.
Very upper crust.
Dale
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caughtinside
Social climber
Davis, CA
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:27pm PT
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I think they market it as a good core workout. I tried it for 10 minutes, it was novel but nothing too exciting. Seems pretty faddish.
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dee ee
Mountain climber
citizen of planet Earth
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:34pm PT
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I know, I don't get it either coming from a whitewater perspective.
One thing my friends that do it say is you can see way more fish which in the ocean is pretty cool.
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:44pm PT
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I've never done, it but for surfing I think the view from upon high would be an advantage catching waves and judging what wave you want to catch.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:48pm PT
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It seemed very interesting when i observed SUPers this winter on The Big Island, in pretty flat surf.
This youtube video, taken recently on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs, makes SUPing look like something I would like to explore in my next life.
I sure as hell could never get that hot in this one!
Absoluteifukily dynamiciatious!
(just coined this phrase)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3uBehT4aus
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:52pm PT
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It's done a lot in surfing and has many advantages. You get a ton of waves; you see everything and see it way way earlier; you stay out way longer and get an amazing core workout; you dominate a surf spot by taking off way earlier and generally out-
maneuvering regular boarders; and you can handle bigger waves and rougher conditions.
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Gene
climber
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Jun 22, 2011 - 08:54pm PT
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What's SUP?
Knott much.
{sorry}
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Jun 22, 2011 - 09:18pm PT
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I surf a fair amount (once the water warms up :), and it looks pretty fun for surfing.
Not sure I get the flat water thing, or the concrete thing. I have long board skateboard and all the fun is flowing the hills, not the pushing.
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Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 22, 2011 - 10:02pm PT
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FACT: I'M NOT ASKING ABOUT SURFING. WHEN THE SURF'S UP ON THE LAKE, THE REGULAR SURFERS COME OUT TO PLAY.
FACT: I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY CATCH A WAVE WITH ONE ON TAHOE, AND IT WOULD SEEM THAT 99.999% OF PRACTITIONERS ARE OUT WHEN ITS DEAD-CALM.
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Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 22, 2011 - 10:09pm PT
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FACT: JBRO'S GOT YER CORE WORKOUT RIGHT HERE:
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Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 22, 2011 - 10:16pm PT
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FACT: the U.S. Coast Guard considers paddleboards to be vessels, and therefore require SUPers to carry a lifejacket and an audible warning device.
Since the USCG patrols Tahoe, I suppose that applies here too. Don't think I've ever seen a SUPer with a vest. Seen 'em in jeans though, including this morning.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jun 22, 2011 - 11:01pm PT
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hey there say, willoughby, all, and "formerly known as",
never heard of this...
thanks for that last picture, now i understand better, but still... strange to see this, i still have river-rafting (whatever) in my mind...
:)
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Jun 22, 2011 - 11:16pm PT
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It looks like it would be fun, I'd be interested in trying it. Kayaking for me is like riding a bike... I can't get excited about sitting down doing something. Feels claustrophobic and restricted.
As long as you are doing it because you enjoy it, who cares right?
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john hansen
climber
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Jun 23, 2011 - 02:40am PT
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There are a lot of people over here in Hawaii that SU paddle on flat water.
During the summer months there is not much surf, it is kind of like kayaking along the shore line. Just another way of getting out on the water..a good workout, no big deal. Not many of them wear life jackets, but over here the water is 80 degrees. You would not last long in Tahoe, if you lost your board, even if you had a life jacket.. 45 or 50 degree water = hypothermia.
In Hawaii where SUP started it is just another way to enjoy the ocean enviroment. When it is flat you can cruise the shoreline ,and when there are waves you can go for it if you choose. it's all good.
I grew up in the Tahoe area , Auburn, and my brother had a place on the lake. Did the whole water skiing and alpine skiing thing. SUP is more like cross country skiing than anything else I can compare it to. It can be a straight slog or skiing chutes, depends on your risk level.
Aloha
John Hansen
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
bouldering
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Jun 23, 2011 - 03:03am PT
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Brucie, my paddle boy instructor ...
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o-man
Social climber
Paia,Maui,HI
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Jun 23, 2011 - 04:46am PT
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OR
Trad climber
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Jun 23, 2011 - 08:57am PT
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Stzzo's video is not SUP. Its is striding and they are standing in inflatable kayaks with a cuff/bootie thing for leg support . Its been around for 15 years or so and was thought up by Jeff Snyder who is credited with essentially inventing squirt boating as well. That was nice footage of the bottom moose in Old Forge ny. Good fun and I was probably there the day that was filmed. Good stuff!
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Maysho
climber
Soda Springs, CA
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Jun 23, 2011 - 09:00am PT
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I did it once, had students in flat water kayaks on Donner Lake, and one of the kids and I each opted for the stand up paddle board. It was pretty fun, and a great core workout, I don't see myself getting into it over trail running, or my beginner track of learning white water, but I will probably do it again this summer when I get a chance.
Your view sounds a bit like comparing groomed track skate skiing to shlepping along on light backcountry touring gear. Yes you can carry more stuff for a comfortable day, but you miss out on the sensation of flying high speed over the surface.
Peter
ps. Will, we could use a bit of your help with some staff training dude!
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