Have you heard anyone say “SUP” recently and they weren’t using it as a greeting? (What’s up?) This acronym is buzzing around town. Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) is growing at a fast pace in Bozeman. Attending the 2nd annual SUP Festival at the East Gallatin Recreation Area opened my eyes to the possibilities… 
 


Test Drive a Paddle Board
You can sample SUP by renting one, taking a class or going on a tour. FLOW Outside and Bozeman & Beyond Adventures provide classes and touring options, Roundhouse rents inflatable boards for $35/day, FLOW rents hard top boards for $30/day, Madison River Tubing rents boards and paddles for $25/day.

Buying a Paddle Board
Like many Montana toys, paddle boards range in price. You can purchase an inflatable paddle board for as little as $500 to back pack and travel with more easily. Or, you can invest in a hard top version for $1,000 and up. Research them before you buy. REI (Recreation Equipment Incorporated) has a great blog post about how to choose the right one and whether or not you need a fin for the bottom.

Give it A Try!

Method #1 - Kneel and paddle. That’s right, you don’t actually have to stand up! If kneeling isn’t comfortable, I’ve seen people sitting with their legs up in front also. Jen DuCharme, a local paddle board instructor says that this is the preferred method for beginners, until they get more comfortable with their balance. She says, “It’s totally acceptable to stay kneeling the whole time.”
Being low helps with balance and makes the board less likely to tip over.

Method #2 - Relax on the paddle board. Take a rest by laying down in the middle of a lake. The board is wide and stable, so long as you’re in a calm body of water and it can be an ideal place to stop and stare at the sky. Consider putting on your life jacket if you’re likely to nod off. A personal floatation device (PFD) (life jacket) is required when on a paddle board in most places, because it’s considered a water vessel.

Method #3 - Stand Up and paddle. (SUP) This is an excellent workout for the upper body, core, legs and feet. If you’re new to the sport, start on a lake. The East Gallatin Recreation Area is a good spot that’s smaller and more defined. Hyalite is the next step up with more wind and much colder water. That might motivate you to stay afloat!

Practice balancing ahead of time by standing with one foot right in from of the other like you’re on a tight rope. Balance is the biggest challenge for beginner paddle boarders. Being able to get up and down from a kneeling position is also handy for beginners to transition. Make sure you bring the sunscreen, a hat and PFD!  



Method #4 - Do yoga on the paddle board. FLOW Outside offers classes at 8:45am on Sundays and 6pm on Wednesdays at the East Gallatin Recreation Area for $19. Sign up on their website and get your Zen on while floating on the water. They anchor the boats in a cove and it’s appropriate for beginner yogis and paddlers.

You’ve gotta try this at least once! Most people are surprised how well they stay on the board while holding various yoga poses. The classes are geared for beginners, but you can always schedule a private session with some friends to work on intermediate and advanced moves.

Method #5 - Paddle board on the ocean. It’s a change of scenery and can be challenging depending on the tide, currents and waves. Some people believe SUP originated in Hawaii with the sport of surfing, while others discuss the possibilities of ancient cultures using these boards to fish and get around.

Method #6 - Paddle board on the river. Choose a safe spot to begin or join a tour with Bozeman and Beyond Adventures. Let the river help with some of your efforts to move the board forward. A 3-hour tour on the Yellowstone River is $89 and includes equipment, snacks and beverages. You can also participate in one of their clinics or classes and then take your skills out on the river yourself.  
DuCharme says that this is fun because there are so many rivers in Montana to explore. For those that like a constant change of scenery, this might be more appealing than staying more idle in a lake or on the ocean.

Method #7 - Compete in a paddle board race. The first one ever held in Bozeman is coming this summer on Sunday August 2nd at the Hyalite Reservoir. If you’re looking to improve your skills, DuCharme says core work is the fastest way to get to the next level. “Having strong abs makes it easier on your arms, which can get tired quickly.” She is hosting this race and donating the money to the Greater Gallatin Watershed Council.

Method #8 - Work out. Challenge yourself a boot camp style work out on your paddle board. Mix it up. There is actually a certification for this type of class, called Paddlefit. Give it a try at East Gallatin Recreation Area during the month of July at 9am. Make a reservation at www.flowoutside.com



Method #9 - Paddle with your dog. Kylee Seifert and her pup Charley (as seen in picture), rented an inflatable paddle board from Roundhouse for $35 and went out to Rat Lake. She said, “The paddle board came in a back pack, so we carried it in and then blew it up. Charley put his paws up on the edge of the board when we were in the water and then I grabbed his rear end to hoist him up. He enjoyed the break from swimming and it was phenomenal having him on the board.”  

Expose your dog to swimming before bringing them on any water vessel. Buying a PFD for your pup is a good idea also, it makes it easier to grab onto them if need be and they have extra support if they tire of swimming or fall off the board. Keep your eyes peeled, Amber a yoga paddle board instructor for FLOW Outside told me she saw someone paddle boarding with their cat at Hyalite last season!



Method #10 - Bring a passenger on the board. Bring your child, a friend or significant other. So long as they fit on the board with you, take ‘em for a ride!  This way you can take turns when one of you gets tired. The more the merrier? I saw a man paddling with his girlfriend and a cooler on his board the other day. Paddle boards are large and quite handy for transporting goods and people. PFD’s people!

Get out there this season and give it a try! Share your paddle board story on Bozeman Magazines Facebook page or website below this article.
We’d love to hear it!