SUP Calgary!

By Sarah Furlong

Photo Courtesy Tower Paddle Boards

There's a certain adrenaline rush you get when you find that balance on your board, at one with nature, once again.    

Whether it's your first time or one thousandth, the unique experience of stand up paddle boarding is unlike any other water sport.

The sense of adventure, and peacefulness, all wrapped up into one, along with exploring new places with new people is what SUP enthusiasts naturally want to share with other people and get them involved!

​With the temperatures on the rise here in Calgary, many people are on the hunt for outdoor activities, especially those on the water.
 
As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a fun, safe, and incredibly easy-to-learn activity that has taken Calgary by storm.

​Popular spots to visit for SUP are Ghost Lake, located on Highway 1A near Cochrane; Johnson Lake, located in Banff National Park on Lake Minnewanka Loop road, and Two Jake Lake, also located on Lake Minnewanka Loop road.  While these locations do not offer on-site paddleboard rentals, you can visit Undercurrents (Bowness), Aquabatics (Bowfort Rd NW), MEC (Downtown 10th Ave) or RedNik Surf Co. (Richard Way) to pick up a rental package before hitting the water.

​Lake Chestermere, located 20 minutes east of Calgary, as well as Barrier Lake, located west of Calgary on Highway 40 in Kananaskis offer paddleboard rentals and a safe place to try SUP for the first (or tenth) time.

​Ready for more of a challenge?  Bow River offers the opportunity to try SUP through moving waters, forcing you to navigate waves, rapids, and eddies.

​While the learning curve for SUP is low, it is recommended that beginners take a lesson or two before jumping onto a narrow board in glacial water.  It is also recommended to skip windy days and don’t take anything on board that you can’t get wet (phone, keys, wallet, etc.) in case you fall in – and you will fall in!

For lessons and rental information, visit:
- Undercurrents
​- Aquabatics Calgary
- MEC
- RedNik Surf Co.

Photo Courtesy West Coast Water Sports

Photo Courtesy West Coast Water Sports

Photo Courtesy West Coast Water Sports