Take a Stand

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 much 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, highly addictive 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