A little background

About me – iSUP

We owe a lot to our roots. I grew up in a small town in British Columbia, Canada, bookended by two beaches. Sure, winter would find me at one of two nearby ski hills, or at the gym the rest of the time, but water was my first love. Somehow the waves called to my soul.

Athletics took me through childhood and adolescence, and of course inform my life now. These days, extra-curricular activities include sports, family time, and adventures—some expected, some unexpected. Living where I do, a few hours from where I grew up in the B.C. interior, I’m fortunate to be able to golf, ski, cycle, swim—and, of course, paddle board.

Paddling on the Columbia River, Castlegar, B.C. Canada. April 25, 2017
Still an unusual cold snap for this time of year.

A great day on the Columbia River, Castlegar, B.C. Canada.
Enjoying my Boardworks Raven 2.

Getting to here

In my working life I’m a digital designer for print media. So designing a website for a sport I’m passionate about was a merger made in heaven. Actually getting me to do it (rather than talk endlessly about it) is thanks to my brother Eddie, who gave me the final push, as all good brothers do. This time, it was into a new world of web design instead of off a dock.

It’s been fun to pull together a comprehensive site for something I love, building on my personal experience of getting bitten by the paddle board bug and wanting to know everything I could about stand up paddle boarding. I’ve learned a lot doing it—and now, I get to share.

Me and my Boardworks Raven 2...it gives a long smooth glide. This is my other favourite board for when I paddle distance.

Sharing the secrets with you

Here you’ll find everything you need to know about getting started in the world of stand up paddle boarding, from the first steps to exploring the places you can go with this unique sport. It truly is for all ages and all skill levels, from the very young to the mature enthusiast.

Stand up paddle boarding is growing and changing. On this site I’ll keep sharing everything I learn—new technologies, techniques, and opportunities—and you can, too. Let me know what you discover as you embrace this sport. Together, we’ll walk on the water.

My thanks:

First, thanks for visiting this site, and for joining the growing tribe of paddle board enthusiasts.

Many thanks to my son and daughter, and my grandkids. Your seize-the-moment enthusiasm motivates my adventurous side, and for that I’m forever grateful. And thanks to my sweetheart guy who pretty much made me stop talking about stand up paddle boarding and simply go do it.

The following story about me describes my first experience paddle boarding and why iSUP:

My first time paddle boarding

The sun-kissed shores of Kehei Maui set the stage for a transformative moment—a tale of unlikely unlikely, unplanned adventure. Perched on the fifth-floor balcony of our seaside condo, we watched as paddleboarders danced across the rental evening waves below. Despite my husband's aversion to water, there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes, a silent invitation to join in. "You should try that,” my husband told me. Little did I know, his gentle encouragement masked a yearning of his own—a yearning to embrace the unknown alongside me.

Intrigued by the prospect yet riddled with doubts, I wrestled with my inner hesitations. At my core I am a water person, but fears of balance, the sense of it being an awkward experience, and what looked like an inevitable plunge held me back. And if I fell into the water how would I get back on?

On the seventh day, fueled by curiosity and a shared sense of adventure, we ventured downstairs, our destination unknown and uncertain how the day would play out. As we passed the SUP rental shop, my heart skipped a beat as my partner proposed a detour. What began as a simple inquiry blossomed into a commitment—we decided to seize the opportunity and embark on this aquatic adventure together.

Guided by a seasoned SUP expert, we embarked on a journey to "ride the rails," to navigate the edges of possibility and glimpse Hawaii through a new lens. With each stroke, I felt a surge of exhilaration coursing through my veins, a newfound sense of belonging on this thing called a paddle board. In those moments, I discovered a passion that ignited my soul—a passion that whispered, "this is where I belong."

I couldn't help but marvel at the unwavering support of my non-water-loving partner. I realized the profound gift he had given me—I love my non-water sweetheart guy, who gave me the push that got me going.

Welcome to standuppaddleboardingguide.com me

That day in Hawaii we watched a fellow freestyle paddler, surfing over mild swells on that beautiful ocean. It looked as if he was dancing on water—a memorable serotonin moment that still makes me smile.

Happy paddling.