To buy or not to buy...

So, I decided that I should buy one of these boards, confident that it won't be another fad that ends up taking up garage space like my '68 Firebird (I mean, the car, AKA "The Dirty Bird" is in fantastic shape and is a blast to drive, but Macari refuses to ride in it, and I only drive it 10-20 times a year.  The rest of the time, it's taking up all the space in my tiny garage.)

So I go to REI.com and set the viewing to price low to high.  The least expensive one is 399.00, but it looks, well, really cheap.  Only one review, but while positive, I just feel like it might be a piece of crap.
The others on the low end run around 750.00.  That's big bucks.  And, I'm still up the river without a paddle.  Paddles go for around 325.00  Seriously.  So we are talking a grand.  Hmmm, this sport suddenly lost some of its luster.

Thank goodness for Pete.  I've had his for five days now and he hasn't asked for it back.  Maybe he would like to clear a little space in his garage...

Early morning paddle

Yesterday evening I went over to my buddy Pete's house to borrow the board for today.  Pete's happy the board is getting some use, and I'm happy not to a: spend 60 bucks for a three hour rental again, or b: buy a new board in the middle of the season.  This morning, around 6:30, I got up, had my caffeine fix, and hit the lake.  It was a beautiful morning, and the lake was sheer glass, barely a ripple to be seen, no boat traffic, just a quiet, tranquil, and glorious setting for a nice ride.

I down the east side of the lake towards the village, across the village water front, out the west side, and back across the lake.

Here's a map of the ride:


Going across was SO much easier than my first attempt last week when the wind was a strong foe.  This time, it took no more effort than the rest of the ride.  I was glad I followed the law and brought a life jacket with me though.  Paddling along the shore is one thing, paddling 1/2 mile across water 50 feet deep is another.  Towards the end of the paddle, a waterskier did go by, close enough the wake made for some fun waves to navigate.  I was glad I had my life jacket then, although in the future I'm going to try to wear it all the time, as my major fear is slipping, knocking my head on the board, or something else happening.  Leave it to me to drown, with a lifejacket with me, but not on me.

Paddleboarding with a canine

SO this morning, right after the monthly pancake breakfast put on by the Borodino Fire Department down the lake, I decided to try paddleboarding with one of my beagles.  Important note:  Beagles, like many hounds are not water dogs.  Most beagles do not enjoy swimming,

As you imagine, it did not go well.  Louie, my older beagle, did not enjoy being put on a board floating inched above the water.  Twice he panicked and fell off the board.  On the third attempt, I got on the board with him, but once I stood up, he panicked again and fell in, requiring me to retrieve him, which isn't easy with a paddle in your hand and an eight foot board to keep your eye on.

After a couple of more tries, we eventually got the hang of it, but I'm not sure the effort was worth it, especially from Louie's point of view...

Ready, Set, Paddle!

Last night, my friend Gabrielle and I decided to rent paddleboards from a local paddleboard rental company.  This morning, we paid 60 bucks each for a three hour rental of the board, paddle, and a lifejacket.  After signing our lives away and a quick demonstration, we were left to experiment and get wet. 

The boards are longer and wider than a longboard surfboard, and getting up wasn't too difficult, especially if you have ever snowboarded, wakeboarded, or skateboarded.  Gaby and I each got on the boards, starting on our bellies, up to our knees, and after one or two spills, we were both paddling around in front of my house.

I live on the east side of Skaneateles lake, and there was a very strong west wind blowing when we began our adventure.  For those of you who sail, you know how hard it can be starting out going right into the wind.  It was not an ideal location to try out paddleboarding.  The west side would be much more hospitable to us, so we tried to paddle across the lake (about half a mile).  After 10 minutes, we had gone about 250 yards, and we were beat.  Paddleboarding is usually a low impact, relatively easy activity, except when you are paddling into the wind on a blustery day.  We decided that paddling all the way across the lake might not provide the best first impression, and also sap us of all of our energy, so we paddled back to my house (a blast with the wind at our backs), threw the boards into my motorboat, and boated over to my brothers house on the other side of the lake to give it a try on calmer water.

Here's a photo of people paddleboarding on the east side of Skaneateles lake, right across from my house.

Changing locations was the best decision of the day.  We both loved it.  We both found it very east to move the boat at various speeds, turn, etc.  It was also extremely relaxing and meditative.  It was easy enough to do so that you could look around at the houses, look down in the water, have a conversation, and paddle at the same time.  Within 30 minutes of paddling, we both decided that we would eventually look into purchasing our own paddleboards.  

Later this afternoon, I found out that my friend Pete has a board, and he said I could take out his anytime he wasn't using it.  So, my next adventures (and posts) will concern taking a 3 year old on the board with me, boarding with one of my beagles, and the beauty of a 6AM paddle on a beautiful, deserted lake.

Planning my first paddleboarding experience

So, I have spent the summer on Skaneateles Lake,

one of the 5 main lakes of the Fingerlakes Region of Central New York.  I have spent 36 summers here,

and I now have the pleasure of raising my young daughter in this paradise by the lake.  Throughout my many summers here, I have learned to swim, sail, drive a motorboat, waterski, tube, wakeboard, and windsurf in the cool clear water.
       Over the past two summers, I have seen a new watersport fad on the lake, a sport I first saw in Newport four years ago: paddleboarding.  I must admit, I thought it looked kinda goofy and lame when I first saw it.  I mean, standing on a surfboard with a kayak paddle, it just looked dorky, a sport for those too uncoordinated to surf or windsurf.  It looked boring too, just pushing yourself along with a paddle.  Where was the speed?  The excitement?  It reminded me of...well, a Segway on water!

(I still stand by my assertion, that you will NEVER, NEVER, EVER find myself riding one of these!)  I swore to myself that I would never try the paddleboard  It just wasn't my thing.  It didn't make my blood seethe, but it still didn't seem like my thing.

Well three years later, and numerous testimonials regarding the pleasure of paddleboarding, I have decided to give it a go.  This afternoon, at 1:00, a paddleboard is being delivered by a rental company.  I will let you know my initial experience tomorrow morning.