Hi New SUPpers,

Here's some info that might help you get SUPing.

It's easy to get started. It's deciding how far you want to get into SUPing that is a little more difficult. Downwinders, surf SUPing etc...) A lot of people start off buying a big, heavy "Costco" board and very quickly learn that their skills and activities don't match the performance level of that beginner board.

If you just want to see if you can stand on a SUP board and paddle around and then decide if you should continue, one rental session should be plenty. Greenie's http://www.greenielife.com/greenies/Home/Home.htm has big, heavy (stable) boards you can rent. I think they charge like $40 a day or something. No lessons though.

I think the best way to get started is to meet up with/hang out with SUPpers, borrow their old boards for an hour or so, paddle around with them and learn from people that have been there, done that. I want to support the SUPing industry but at the very beginning of your learning curve lessons are an unnecessary expense. Developing the task specific muscles and balance are the first things to do. Later on, when you want to learn advanced skills, lessons are the best way to go, if you can't find a local SUPper with those advanced skills to teach you.

If you join the http://mudholesup.blogspot.com/ FOLLOWERS we can help you make contact with other SUPpers. HoeKuWahine is a local gal. Her name is Vanessa. You can message her through Google Friend Connect. In the summer she hits the water once or twice a week around 4:30 or 5 pm.

My tennis coaching season starts on Monday and goes for another 2 1/2 months. My afternoons are full and some of my Saturdays. I'm a high school teacher and will have spring break coming up in a little while and some half days. The water will still be really cold but the air temperature might be good. Hypothermia is always a concern, even in the summer.

Hypothermia and stuff ! Equipment !

Being safe is very important. In Washington the law requires an approved PFD. Several of the local SUPpers use an inflatable waist PFD. The Sheriff's boats have pulled up next to me while SUPing to check my PFD status on several occasions. I love it when their big wake hits me while I'm trying to show them my waist PFD. My brother is a Deputy with Benton County, so he hears me complain. Law enforcement keeps people safe that aren't willing to keep themselves safe. I was on Columbia Basin Dive Rescue for a while and got to see up close and personal what happens when you're not safe. In Oregon they have more stringent laws. You must wear a PFD and a whistle. You must also purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit. https://or.outdoorcentral.us/or/license   If you park and launch from the Oregon side of the Columbia you'll need the permit.

This early in the season I would definitely recommend at least a full wetsuit. There are several ways to go for hypothermia protection.

1. Very cold water (36.5 degrees, now), very cold air (now). Drysuit with insulating undergarments ($800-$1000) I got my drysuit at REI, full wetsuit or farmer john with long sleeve wetsuit jacket ($300-$500). Insulated head covering (wetsuit hood).
2. Cold water (2 months from now, 48 degrees). Full wetsuit or farmer john with long sleeve wetsuit jacket.
3. Cold water (59 degrees), 80-90 degree air temp (4 months from now). Shorty wetsuit
4. 70 degree water, hot air temp (July, August and September) Swimsuit, if you get injured and can't pull yourself back up on the board, hypothermia is still an issue. Hypothermia onset at 95 degrees body temperature. It doesn't take very long in 70 degree water to drop 3.6 degrees in body temp.

As far as boards and accessories, I'd wait a little bit. It's a bit of a trip but demoing boards before you buy is the best way to make sure you get a board that will meet your long-term needs. Hood River has several demo shops right on the river. Seattle and Portland have many shops to choose from. I prefer Big Winds in Hood River, OR. http://www.bigwinds.com/sup They have a great selection of SUP boards and a demo shop at the Hood River Event Site right on the river.

A couple of my buddies and I are trying to figure out a way of starting a board shop here in the Tri Cities. Hey! If you know someone with a bunch of money that doesn't mind a high risk investment, send them my way! I need to do something during my summers and when I retire from teaching to keep from going crazy.
OK! I'll shut up. Geeeeeze!

If you would like to contact me:

lanewinsor@gmail.com

 Hope to hear from you,

Lane Winsor