Discover paddle boarding

As I'm writing this article, I'm sitting in a park in the sun. The weather is nice and warm. It's a perfect summer day. It smells like flowers and freshly cut grass. However, even if it's a beautiful day and I love writing, I'm dying to get in my swimsuit, jump in my small '98 4 × 4, and head for Lasalle for a SUP (Stand up Paddle Board) session with the crew at KSF (Kayak Sans Frontières).

Last summer I drove the round trip from Québec to Montréal to take my SUP initiation course with them. No need to say that every beautiful day we have had since then seems wasted if I have not set foot on a board. OK. . . I'm not that intense, but almost.

Where can we do it?

Don't worry! You don't need to be as addicted as I am to enjoy this sport which is becoming increasingly well known. That is precisely one of its greatest advantages! This sport is accessible to everyone: you don't have to have years (or even hours) of experience to have a good time or to feel confident on your board.

As for myself, I have always been like a fish in a pond. I've always wanted to learn how to surf and I've always been attracted to this lifestyle. This is another cool aspect of SUP. This sport of Hawaiian origin is very similar to surfing and can even be practised with traditional surfboards. What is harder in Quebec (and on the East Coast) with surfing is that we have to get out of the city to find waves. Whereas SUP can be practised anywhere, which explains my particular interest for the sport: you can feel the vibe and freedom provided by traditional surfing, but right here in Quebec.

If you would like to give it a try in the Montréal area, there is the Pop Spirit school in Pointe-Claire and KSF in Lasalle and at the Jean-Drapeau Park, among others. There are also schools in Mont Tremblant and Sherbrooke. In the Québec area, we have access to lakes and rivers galore located a mere 20 minutes from downtown including at the Duchesnay station in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier. You can also head to the Baie de Beauport, Lac Beauport and the Base Plein-Air de Sainte-Foy. It is possible to take courses or simply rent the equipment. You can also rent equipment on a daily basis at the Southbird Surf Shop in Québec, if you ever want to go on a road trip and try SUP here and there.

Buying a SUP board

If you become a SUP enthusiast (or if you already are), the idea of buying your own board is realistic and no more expensive than a good bike or kayak. Once you will have your own equipment, you will no longer need to wait for business hours, and you will have the freedom to practise the sport whenever and wherever you want. Moreover, certain shops are closed when it rains, so you cannot rent any equipment. This is unfortunate because doing SUP under the rain in a wetsuit is quite the experience! It's both liberating and peaceful. Finally, the more often you use your board, the more advantageous your purchase becomes!

The only downside when you have your own equipment is transportation. It's not complicated to haul, but it's big. Boards can sometimes reach up to twelve feet long, so you need specific equipment to carry it, either on top of your car or with a trailer. Otherwise, there exists a wonderful alternative to the rigid board: the inflatable SUP board! Folded and deflated, it takes the same amount of space as a backpack: It is ideal for those who do not have a storage space or who do not want to deal with the hassle of transportation.

See the paddle surfboards we have in stock.

Various activities can be done on a SUP board

As if you didn't already have enough reasons to try it, I will now recommend a few activities that can be done on the board.

First of all, there is traditional SUP where you paddle on calm waters. This gives you the opportunity of discovering the most beautiful landscapes from the lakes and rivers of Quebec. Some schools even offer courses at sunset, which guarantees you an unforgettable experience.

Then, there's SUP yoga, now so popular on Instagram! For water-loving yogis such as myself, this literally is a dream come true and a match made in heaven. It's a combination of two very relaxing activities, but don't get me wrong, it's still a workout! SUP requires good balance and yoga helps flexibility, so if you put the two together, you strengthen your muscles pretty good! It's a great activity to tone your body while being Zen on the water.

There is also SUP fitness, a creative way to get in shape while being immersed in the elements of nature. It is a training exercise that involves the use of stabilizer muscles and the abdominal belt, while developing muscular and cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, agility and balance. It is a real full-body workout, which is hard to find indoors. Plus, you get to enjoy the landscape and sunbathe at the same time. It's so much better than working out indoors facing a mirror, isn't it?

Finally, it is also possible to SUP surf in river rapids. Given its difficulty level, this activity is reserved for those who have practised SUP in white waters several times. Isn't it nice to know that we have so many options?!

See the paddles we have in stock.

Types of boards

Board types vary depending on the type of activity you want to do. Briefly put, shorter and narrower boards will be faster and less stable, which is ideal for surfing and speed. Longer and wider boards will be more stable. These are ideal for paddling in calm waters and for SUP yoga, and also offer a more comfortable surface.

So, whether you're just curious to try it out or you're also looking for the surfing lifestyle, the beauty of SUP surfing is that everyone can benefit from it. It is an easily adaptable and increasingly accessible sport. Besides, it's guaranteed to calm you down and improve your physical fitness. Who doesn't want to be transported to Hawaii for a few hours? If you find anyone, give me their number because I'll gladly take their place!