When most people think about stand up paddleboarding, the first thing that might come to mind is paddlers out in exotic spots like Hawaii or Southern California. However, in reality, you can paddleboard anywhere there is water. There are plenty of secretly amazing paddleboarding spots across the US that SUP enthusiasts love to try. Let’s check some of them out.
Madison, Wisconsin
Paddleboarding on the beautiful Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin is always an enjoyable and beautiful experience. Among the beauty of nature, you are able to exercise in peaceful settings among other paddle boarders. In fact, every year, there is a Midwest Standup Paddle Festival right in Madison, Wisconsin. There has been an increase in participation because of the quality of the water. Some say it is some of the best flat water paddling in the world.
Yes, people come from all over the world for this wonderful event. Though they look forward to enjoying the event itself, the enjoyment of simply being able to paddleboard in a beautiful setting on beautiful water brings a smile to all the participants’ faces. You will no doubt feel the same as you are able to quickly guide to and fro on the flat water of the lake, while taking in the gorgeous green surroundings.
Hood River, Oregon
If you are paddleboarding in Hood River, Oregon, then you are paddleboarding in one of the most scenic areas in all the state. Surrounded in rolling hills covered in green trees and shrubbery, the rushing Colombia River Gorge makes for a very exciting experience, as you get to experience the excitement of gliding over the swells of the rapidly moving river. The swells are continuously forming there because the wind runs opposite of the current of the river.
This makes paddleboarding here a tad difficult, so you will need a good level of physical fitness, as well as some experience paddleboarding to make this a successful paddle trip. You should take all safety measures into consideration on this river, wearing a life jacket while paddleboarding with others. Even still, long glides and sparse traffic on the river make for an unforgettable adventure as you enjoy perfect conditions and good company with other paddlers who want to experience the same.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Lake Tahoe is a favorite paddling spot for many boarders, not just for the boarding itself, as the scenery is simply breath taking. As you paddleboard on Lake Tahoe, you are surrounded by large granite boulders around you and underneath you. The water is crystal clear, ranging over a whole spectrum of colors. From turquoise green to bright blues, you see it all. The color and clarity of the lake depends the clarity of the sky. The beauty of the lake has made paddleboarding explode in the area for the past five years or so.
It is an incredibly enjoyable experience to paddleboard here on the lake, and it’s very different from paddleboarding on any river or in any ocean. It is peaceful and relaxing, and you are sure to love being able to go at your own pace at your own time without having to worry about waves or swells. Even still, safety precautions need to be met. The water can be quite cold during certain seasons of the year and you should therefore be boarding with others and wearing a life jacket.