It takes only a few minutes on a paddleboard to understand
why Lance Bourne decided to launch a side-business featuring the brightly
colored crafts.
When Bourne first encountered what is being billed as the
fastest growing water sport anywhere right now, he had never heard of stand-up
paddle boarding, a derivative of paddle boarding, which is usually done
kneeling or lying down on a board. While vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Bourne
saw a guy paddling around on a fiberglass board. The Garden City resident
eventually tracked down a rental board, and even though he got knocked around a
bit in the surf, was instantly hooked.
“It’s great exercise, anyone can ride them, and they’re
really durable,” said Bourne, who this summer started renting out paddleboards
and kayaks at Bear Lake.
Stand-up paddle boarding — also known as SUP, or paddle
surfing — is as simple as it sounds, although that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Balance is key, and on calm water it can feel effortless. Introducing waves of
any size, however, can quickly send riders lurching to keep their balance.
Since a high center of gravity makes riding more difficult,
kids often surprise their parents by outperforming them, especially in the
learning stage. The smaller the child, in fact, the easier they seem to take to
the boards, cruising around effortlessly.
Bourne said he has taught riders as young as 4 and as old as
65. One “64-year-old grandma” rented a board, and even though she took a few
spills during that day, kept climbing back on.
“She fell four times, but she bounced right back up and kept
going,” Bourne said. “It’s for all ages.”
From a shack on the
beach near the Garden City Park, Bear Lake Water Adventures rents out 20
polyethylene paddle boards, along with 15 kayaks, and on weekends most of those
are rented out. With three sizes and ever-improving designs (including traction
strips and adjustable fins to improve control) riders can experience the water
in a new way.
“These are perfect
for beginners,” Bourne said. “For people who can’t afford a boat, these are a
great way to get out on the water.”
They are also a
surprisingly good workout. Although riders appear to be standing casually, to
keep their balance they have to vigilantly engage their core and leg muscles.
Hard-working paddlers can burn up to 600 calories per hour, Bourne said.
And it’s a
low-impact, largely silent activity on a lake frequently dotted with buzzing
watercraft. “There’s no exhaust so you have no pollution,” Bourne said, “and
there’s no noise.”
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