Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP if you’re cool)

by | Jan 13, 2022 | Lake James Living, Lake James, NC Blog

I have found it difficult to remain positive during this difficult time of social distancing.  My favorite trails where I would normally escape to run, hike, or bike are temporarily closed.  Lucky for me, the lake does not close!  I just have to hop on my paddleboard and I almost instantly find an inner peace and calmness that is hard to achieve these days.  For me it is so much more than exercise, it’s an escape from reality on my own floating island without a phone or any other distractions.  I pay attention to nature and love sneaking up on the turtles sunning themselves on logs or the fish up close to the banks.  Paddleboarding also doubles as a workout which is a definite pro when it’s so tough to stay motivated.  Various websites say that even a casual paddle can burn twice the calories of walking.  Your core is engaged the entire time (to prevent falling in the water!) and you obviously use your arms to paddle and your legs to stand.  You can take it up another level with paddleboard yoga, racing, or surfing.  I went to one paddleboard yoga session and it was way more challenging than I anticipated.  I think someone needs to start a paddleboard yoga class at Lake James!  This would have to be a summer activity when the water is warm enough of course.

I don’t see a lot of other people paddleboarding on Lake James, especially this time of year.  There are certainly more people in the summertime and you can rent SUP boards from Lake James State Park seasonally.  I also found a website for a company called Wai Mauna in Asheville that says they will deliver them to you at Lake James and pick them up when you’re done.  SUP boards are also much more affordable to purchase these days and I have seen the inflatable ones on Amazon starting around $200.  Or better yet, I have an extra board and think paddleboarding would be a pretty cool way to show lakefront homes!