SUP-tastic Day!

Behold: 5 rookies in this photo (and that isn't the entire crew!)

So... How much SUP if you could go SUP would you SUP if you could just SUP?

 

As Chris demonstrates, everyone started to paddle out on their knees but were soon standing like veterans

ANSWER: Well, lots.  This time we took out a pack of rookies to tackle Stand Up Paddle boarding for the first time.  From 3 to 43 years old, from Oklahoma to Ohio, our group was ready to rock on fantastically flat water.  One piece of advice: in the height of summer, when you know that 7 boards are needed, be sure to make a reservation! The crew at Jupiter Point Paddling was wonderfully accommodating even with 30 campers on site and life jackets everywhere, but were also very glad that I had taken the time to let them know in advance.

The weather was beyond amazing during an especially hot summer.  Slathered in sunscreen and wearing polarized sunglasses, we set out as a group with 7 SUPs - two of them bearing kids on the nose.  Jacen (3) is old hat with this now, but his 8 yr old cousin was excited to be out on the water for the first time.  The weather and tide were so forgiving, she even braved standing up all by herself.  Jace was so inspired, that he decided to stand up by himself too (pictured in background)!


Way to go, little Mak!

A short paddle out to the sand bar, and the entire crew stopped to check out some of the local wildlife.  Chris has a shell-covered sea urchin (pictured), but we also found live conch, huge sea cucumbers, and tons of fish.

The clip below definitely shows off the beautifully flat water and extremely low tide that morning. Most of our group was chilling out on the infamous sand bar, while my toddler is chasing down his dad. Jacen's biggest hero is rarely allowed out of sight anytime we go on an adventure, because Daddy is always up to something fun.

Stand Up Paddle boarding is quickly becoming a hot new past time around the world.  A recent article in Outside magazine (Sept 2012, pg. 34) breaks down the rising conflicts between SUP users and surfers (more on that in the future).  It made me realize that while I am part of this new beginner trend, we choose to play on inland waters for our SUP adventures right now - especially with a toddler in tow.  While I cannot wait to try open water paddle boarding for myself, I still believe that when going out for the first time keeping to the mangroves and natural areas is the best idea.


Chris and Stephen, already standing up like pros.

Taking a dip

Talk about shallow water!

One of the highlights this particular outing included a first for our little section of family too - our first MANATEE!  Normally manatees travel in packs, but this easy going gal appeared to be all alone.  I spotted a large, dark shadow moving towards my two oldest nephews and shouted for them to keep an eye out.  She meandered straight into our group of 7 SUPs and everyone stopped paddling immediately. We all wanted a chance to see the endangered animal without harassing her, and she made it easy by literally wandering up to basically everyone in turn.  This 5 minute interaction was my husband's first wild manatee sighting, and my first non-injured wild manatee.  Jacen was just in awe.  My camera actually died about 2 minutes before the manatee appeared, so I have to thank my brother-in-law Todd for taking this shot - and sharing it!


Keith & Jacen are on a 12' SUP, so this shows great perspective on just how big sea cows are!

 As our family fun came to an end, we even saw a spotted eagle ray cruising along the grass beds.  The water clarity was some of the best we have had all year.  Now that school is back in session and water is far less busy during the week, I am already planning a kid-free SUP excursion for the first time.

If you want this experience for yourself, as always I highly recommend Jupiter Point Paddling. The location and staff are awesome, especially with rookies.  You can make reservations by phone, via the website, and even through their Facebook page. This link will take you wherever you want to go:
http://www.paddleinparadise.com/

This was a great way of sharing our new passion with family, and giving them a fresh experience during their standard Florida vacation week.  Even though they travel down each year, trying something new pumps up the fun for everyone!

Don't forget that family visits are about more than just hanging out during dinner.  The next time you are going away to visit family/friends, or they are coming to see you, take the time to plan out some new special adventure for everyone to experience. That is how the best stories, coolest pictures, and most remarkable memories are made.

-Callie Sharkey

SUP-ing with Family!

After our recent spectacular experience with Stand Up Paddleboarding (see the 5/23 blog entry for details) we decided to return to Jupiter Point Paddling for another round.  I often regale my family with our tales of family adventure, and this time my mother was coming along for the ride!  She planned to be in town from Arizona for our son's 3rd birthday and I had been setting our agenda for the week.  Turns out Mom had even researched SUP online when I mentioned our plans - this is actually a VERY big deal for my Mom.  So now you have a self proclaimed "balance-challened" grandma who lives in the desert getting on a Stand Up Paddleboard. This is the tale of that experience:

Manager Cynthia showing my Mom the ropes of SUP

She was apprehensive to be sure, but my Mom is a real trooper when it comes to trying out crazy new things just because her daughter says "hey, Mom, let's go!" This includes activities that range from hiking in Hawaii to skydiving over the Arizona desert.  So, just a quick tutorial with Jupiter Point Paddling Manager Cynthia, and Mom was on the board! She started on her knees (as I did) because lowering your center of gravity makes balancing super easy.

On a SUP within minutes!

Not long after the lesson, she was ready to stand up and is even shown below waving to her 3-yr old grandson sitting on another SUP with dad!The water was wonderfully calm that day and we first traveled out to a great sandbar in the middle of the intracoastal waterway.  There we immediately found animals enjoying the calm day and warm waters.

Hi, Grandma!!

The weather was perfect and I have to suggest taking the day off just to go SUP-ing during the week. The waterways are not as busy, so less boat wakes to contend with and flat water makes it easier to see the wildlife underneath the surface.  Don't forget your polarized sunglasses! Sunscreen is also important as we were out for nearly 2 hours and the tranquility actually made time fly. We kept the little one from toasting, but I still turned pink.

Large west Indian sea eggs (sea urchin sp.), conchs, and even the largest live sand dollars I had ever seen were scattered everywhere! I shared a few with the Jupiter Point Splash Campers so Camp Director Deb could explain what types of wildlife could be found and how to treat animals met on their adventures. Now... they saw manatees that day, but we headed the opposite direction and missed them! But, there is always next time...

                                   

Daddy found a conch! (this shell was empty, but there were plenty of live ones we found too)

Mom holding the first LIVE sand dollar she had ever seen

Interacting with wildlife is always tricky. It is important to remain respectful and we did not keep any live critters found. But while remembering to honor the watery world we love so much, do not deny yourself those wonderful experiences that become the memories that shape your life.  We put the sand dollar back safely, but the expression on my own mother's face is priceless to me.  I actually got to share and teach something to the woman who spent a significant chunk of her life sharing and teaching me - so that was special on a whole new level, and I am glad we all went exploring together.

This is why my husband will likely NOT be joining me for my first yoga-boarding session

What defines a great day? In Florida especially, I feel that a day without watery interactions is a day partly wasted. When you discover something new, it will start appearing all around you. Stand Up Paddleboards just graced the cover of Outside Weekends and even stood life size on a Florida tourism display at the local airport. Yeah, this SUP stuff is catching a serious wave... so why don't YOU go ride it too?
-Callie Sharkey

If you are looking to have this experience for yourself, check out http://www.paddleinparadise.com/ or hit up their facebook page. Next week we are taking Grandpa out for the first time, I cannot wait to try the Yoga-Boarding program, and we are even looking to get some local firefighters out on the water as well. So, yeah... this is probably our newest family passion - find one for yourself and share it with your family too!

What's SUP?!!

Stand Up Paddleboarding (a.k.a SUP) is an awesome sport to get you out on the water!

Never tried it? Well, my inaugural run on a SUP was just a few shorts weeks ago with my husband and 2 yr old son (YES, 2!) and it was AWESOME!!  I threw some quick photos of our experience together. If you think you are too old to try something new - you are wrong! If you think you are too out of shape to do this, again the buzzer sounds! When the waves get tricky or you feel off balance, just drop to your knees (like the last photo here) and you will feel steady once again. Perhaps the most imporatnt tip: don't stress! It is meant to be just another fun way to experience the water. So when you can't go surfing, but the clarity won't hold for snorkeling, work on your tan and your core strength while enjoying the day.

A SUP is not a surfboard - notice only 1 fin

 A SUP ranges from 9' - 12' typically. It is not a surfboard, so unfortunately just throwing your longboard out on flat water will not have the same effect as your SUP experience. The top portion of the board is covered with tread to allow you to stand without sliding. You will get wet. Water shoes are not necessary, but flip-flops will probably not be as comfortable as just hangin' barefoot.

This 12' SUP had Daddy paddle and the 2-yr old riding the nose!

Jet skis or boat wakes? No problem.

Many outdoor recreation companies that lead kayak tours also conduct SUP tours or rentals.  Expect to pay anywhere from $20/hr -$50/half day (guide not included). We went to Jupiter Point Paddling, here in Florida. This company is very informal and friendly for non-locals and beginners too.  Check out www.paddleinparadise.com if you want to go where we went, but there are other programs out there too.

My hot coworker is also a SUP guide!

What's the point? If you love the water, there is always some new way to experience and appreciate it.  Try something new yourself, or introduce an aquatic adventure rookie to one of the reasons why you love water so much.  Sharing the fun can also energize and inspire your day to day grind.

Enjoy!

-Callie