The Big Chop Thursday Night Paddle Series, presented by Mountain Equipment Coop gets going at 7:00PM over at Vanier Park.
vancouver
This (2010) Summer around Vancouver has been an absolutely amazing for Stand Up Paddleboarding in every way.
We got a bit of a late start with the weather, but one things got going at the start of July, its been perfect with sunny skies and calm waters.
The second week in August was particularly great with super glassy conditions every single day... Save for the one day when we got a sneak Westerly system roll through, resulting in some nice waves if you were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time 
Forecast for the rest of the week looks for the smooth conditions to continue so get out there and enjoy while it lasts!
In part due to all of this great weather, participation in the sport has grown exponentially since last year. In my paddling last year, it was very rare to see another paddler whereas this year it's rare NOT see someone else out on the water.
And general awareness of the sport is also way up... In 2009, people I met on the beach were very curious about what SUP was all about, asking all the typical questions... Is it hard? Do you fall in? How much is one of them things? etc. This year people are still curious, but most seem to know what it's all about. A little 4 year old boy even came up to me a few weeks ago and asked me "Hey, are you going paddle surfing?"
The race scene is growing too. Deep Cove Kayak's Tuesday Night Race Series featured SUP a few weeks ago, and almost thirty racers showed up. Though subsequent weeks have seen smaller numbers, I'm sure that the Tuesday Night Races will see a large SUP contingent as the core group of SUP enthusiasts continues to grow.
The shops I've spoken with are all reporting huge increases with interest and sales, a lot of that with sale of more recreational oriented price-point boards. Though some may see these mass-produced boards as a thorn in the side of performance and custom oriented board designers, I think they're one of the main reasons SUP has grown so quickly this year. Sure, in the short run they may eat away sales from the high end producers, but their low price is introducing a ton of new people to the sport and these paddlers will soon grow out of these entry level boards, looking to upgrade to a more performance oriented board, perhaps even quivers of them!
SUP introductory classes are now selling out on a regular basis and shops are strongly recommending reservations for board rentals. All little factors sure, but they all point to the fact that SUP is experiencing a major growth in the Vancouver area.
Post up in the comments section to let us know how your Summer's been going, it'd be great to hear from ya!
NOTE: for an up to date retailer listings, check out the SUP Directory's Retailer listings.
Well, Summer is finally in full swing so we thought since last year's Vancouver SUP retailer list has become so popular, it'd be a good idea to give you an update on where to purchase Stand Up Paddleboards in the Vancouver area.
The market has grown substantially over the past year, and board availability has similarly grown to the point where almost every surf and boardsport oriented shop has at least a few SUP boards and paddles available in stock.
I didn't get into too many details with each retailer, but most do offer rentals and demos of the boards they have in stock.
So with that, here's the updated list from last year:
- Island Longboards: Again, Island Longboards is not located in the Lower Mainland, but most of us get up to Tofino at least once a Summer and if you're driving by you might as well stop by to see one of the best selections of Stand Up Paddleboards in Canada. Scott carries more surf oriented boards including Hobie, hand shaped Waldens, Naish, Infinity, Jimmy Styks and more, as well as Kialoa and Werner paddles.
- North Shore Ski & Board: Vince, Brett and the crew and North Shore have been getting much more involved with SUP this year, selling as many Jimmy Styks boards as they can get their hands on. They also stock a selection of Starboard all round boards like the Big Easy and Blend, and can order anything from the Starboard line up as well if you're looking for something special.
- Deep Cove Kayak: One of the first retailers in the Vancouver area to stock Stand Up Paddleboards, Deep Cove Kayak carries an assortment of Starboard flatwater oriented boards as well as Werner paddles.
- Pacific Boarder: With 20 or so boards in stock, Pacific Boarder has taken to SUP in a big way this year. They carry almost the entire line of C4 Waterman (including the Holoholo, ATV Series, iSUP), plus a selection of Surftech, GSI and Naish, along with paddles by C4, GSI, Kialoa and Naish.
- Second Wave: Second Wave has an interesting selection of boards by Southpoint Schaper/Bonga line, as well as a few boards by a company I wasn't familiar with until now, Cascadia.
- EcoMarine: Surftech is the name of the game here, where they carry the Laird line, the popular Bark 14' Expedition as well as a few Softops. Paddle selection includes Werner and Braca, an established name in performance kayak and canoe paddles who is just getting started with a new SUP range of paddles.
- Airtime Board Sports: Over in Kitsilano, Airtime carries Starboard and Naish boards, plus paddles by Sawyer, Naish and Starboard.
- Kalavida Surf Shop: I admit this shop isn't located in the Vancouver area, but Island Longboards, Kalavida up in Vernon, is deep into SUP. They carry boards by Surftech, C4 Waterman and Rogue, as well as Werner and Kialoa paddlers, along with all the SUP specific gear and accessories you may need.
Just got word that the Saturday session of Ecomarine's SUP Lessons and Surftech Demo on English Bay has sold out so they've added a second session for Sunday July 18th.
Surftech will again be demoing the popular Bark 14' Expedition, plus a variety of Randy French 11'6 and Randy French 10'6 stand up paddleboards.
Cost for the 2 hour Introduction to Stand Up Paddling is $70 and covers equipment familiarization, dry land instruction, water safety, proper body position, and paddling techniques. $70/person. All equipment included, board, paddle, and leash. No experience required.
Weather forecast for the weekend looks great, and if you're looking to get into SUP there's no better way than to participate as the lessons will be taught by Bodie Shandro, Surftech's Canadian Sales Manager, and the only ASI Certified SUP Instructor in Canada. This guy knows his stuff!
Click here for all the deets!
Just came across this deal over at LivingSocial.com... A one hour SUP lesson for $12, could be a good introduction to the sport if you've never tried it out.
Lessons are Windsure Watersports on Jericho Beach in Kitsilano.
Not meaning to sound like an advertising but the deal's only on today... Check it at http://livingsocial.com/deals/4186-paddle-surfing-lesson-for-12
Surftech will be hosting a stand up paddleboard demo, as well as offering lessons on Saturday July 17th at Ecomarine on English Bay in Vancouver.
Boards available for demo include the Bark 14' Expedition, and Randy French 11'6 and Randy French 10'6 stand up paddleboards. Here's the deets from Bodie on the lesson package...
Stand Up Paddle Surfing is the fastest growing water sport in the world, a sport whose roots run deep in Hawaiian history. It is easy to learn and is a non-intimidating activity that appeals to all ages and physical abilities. Participants are able to quickly progress and develop the skills necessary to improve fitness or simply enjoy the experience of "walking on water”!
Introduction to Stand Up Paddling: Each 2 hour session covers equipment familiarization, dry land instruction, water safety, proper body position, and paddling techniques. $70/person. All equipment included, board, paddle, and leash. No experience required.
- SATURDAY JULY 17 – 10am and 2 pm
- Ecomarine English Bay
- 604 689-7575
- World Standup Paddleboard Association / ASI Certified Instructor
Be sure to give them a call at (604) 689-7575 as soon as you can, as limited space is available!