Paddle Boarding at Oscar Scherer September 28, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Life Balance.trackback
Today I did something I’ve never done before . . . I went YOLO boarding!
YOLO (“You Only Live Once”) Boarding is a cross between surfing and kayaking. Participants stand on a board that’s thicker and sturdier than a surfboard and use canoe-type paddles to glide across the water.
Sounds like a FUN way to explore new vistas, eh? Just remember to keep an eye out for wildlife.
Before heading out on gator patrol, I took a brief 20-second lesson on balancing, paddling, and standing up without toppling over.
Then I paddled around the shallows of Osprey Lake looking for hungry gators lurking about.
I didn’t see any, but you can’t be too careful in gator country. I made another pass before sending the “all clear” sign.
Wait . . . did he see me? Better double check before standing. Yoo Hoo. Over Here. I’m ready to stand up now.
YES! I did it! I stood up first try. With only a slight wobbly. Yay!
OK . . . let’s paddle around to see the sights in Oscar Scherer State Park without falling into the brackish water.
Yay! I stayed HIGH and DRY! Not too shabby for a first-timer.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Have you ever gone paddle boarding? If not, would you like to give it a try?
Related posts: YOLO (You Only Live Once) Boarding * Something I’ve Never Done Before (Sidey’s Weekend Theme) * WP Daily Prompt ~ Ebb & Flow
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Spirit Lights The Way 
That does look like fun – but not being potential lunch!
My paddle skis are designed for sitting, and surfing. I haven’t tried it kneeling or standing up. Have you tried sailboarding?
We walked around the lake BEFORE I climbed aboard the board. Had I seen any gators, I would have had cause for pause. 😛
I have not tried sailboarding and am not convinced that I would be terribly adept at it. But I might give it a go sometime.
I would have hesitated to do the walk – they can quite happily collect their grub from dry land!
Sailboarding is one of those things, like playing the violin, which seems quite impossible from the theory of it. You have to use that wishbone to hang onto, to set the sail, and to steer, all with an infinite number of setting angles. Yet one gets the ‘hang’ (haha) of it surprisingly quickly.
You sound like a pro, Col.
The first time I tried kayaking (on our last island), someone else was trying sailboarding for the first time. It looked like upper body strength would be as asset! But it looks FUN!
Haha, you did pretty good Nancy – I’m sure I would have been soaking wet in the first couple of minutes! It looks like a lot of fun, I guess you will be going again? Watch those ‘gators though!
I would definitely do it again, but probably not at Oscar Scherer State Park among the gators. I’d like to try it at the beach sometime. When I’m wearing a bathing suit. 😉
You did well 🙂 And very brave as well!
I came up with any number of reasons why I should NOT give it a go (gators, too sunny, might fall, murky water, too crowded, etc.). In the end, I ignored the naysayers and listened to the encouraging voice that said:
“Try it. You might like it.”
I have! Though at 6’4″, the balance thing is challenging. A friend just placed second in an Annapolis based, Chesapeake Bay paddle board race earlier today. The entire race was in standing position. And there were waves! Glad yours was an enjoyable, gator-less experience.
Congrats to your friend! Local firefighters and first responders had a charity paddleboard race at the Palma Sola Causeway yesterday called . . . What’s SUP! 😀
Glad you’ve had a go at YOLO. My balance improved once I stood up ~ I could shift more easily than while paddling on my knees. And the paddle is too long unless you’re standing. I’m looking forward to the next time ~ maybe in the gentle undulating waves of the Gulf.
I went to check out SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Annapolis ~ the air and water temp are a bit chillier than here! BRRRR . . .
http://www.supannapolis.com/
You’re a helluva lot braver than I am.
You should have seen the big GRIN on my face as I reached shore and stepped off the board . . . of my own volition.
I’m not always brave when it comes to physical challenges, but when I am it’s usually worth it.
[…] in addition to trying paddle boarding for the first time, we went on a Tram Ride around Oscar Scherer State […]
Congratulations! I might give it a try… with knee pads. That looks owieee on the knees.. 😀 Great smile Nancy!
Very astute of you, Pix.
My knees kept saying, “Stand UP. It’s Stand Up Paddling . . . not Kneel Down Paddling.” 😛
well done, though with crocodiles in the water you wouldn’t find me anywhere near. I guess alligators aren;’t quite as firece?
I would NOT have gotten in the water if we’d seen any alligators. I believe you’re right ~ gators are less aggressive than crocs.
I am not a fan of water sports, simply because the water is far too cold in my neck of the woods, so the answer is no. Ihave never gone paddle boarding.
I hear ya, Grannymar. Before we moved to FL, I spent far less time in and around the water . . . except in the heat of summer.
At the moment, the water temps here are FANTASTIC!
Love it! I’ve been wanting to try that but not the gator part.
I put it on a Vision Board for 2012 and never ticked that box. Better late than never.
See ya later, Al E. Gator
Just made a vision board.
Cool! I hope you manifest your vision in all the right ways.
I shared the one I made in Jan. 2012 here:
It’s still on the wall of my closet and I still use it to visualize how I want to day/week/month/year/life to go. The only thing I forgot to include was the chocolate. 😛
Ooo..>congratulations!!! (sigh…my keyboard’s giving me problems.. 😦 )
You must have strong core muscles because balancing like that, one would need them!!!
Maybe I do. I don’t specifically target them, but I walk, bike, and do water aerobics every week (plus some yoga and dance when the mood strikes). I will thank my core muscles tonight! 😀
Wow….you’re awesome. I’m just happy when I get my butt out the door for my morning walks…but I do like the trees I meet on my walks..hehe.
When we lived “up north,” it was easy to talk myself out of exercising outside ~ especially in the winter when I just wanted to hibernate.
Here, the sunshine and warm temps encourage me to move it.
Good for you! How fun that would be…but I’m not sure I’d have tried it in gator country! Especially recently. I’m not sure I should trust MY balance–it’s been a bit unreliable, hasn’t it! 🙂 What fun photos of your balancing act!
Had we seen any gators lurking about that day, I’m certain I would have passed on the chance to paddle board. But it was fun. I would like to try it again while wearing a swimsuit in water with a bit more clarity . . . so I can see things “sneaking up on me.” 😯
I’m glad you didn’t become a gator’s snack. I’m not sure if I’d be brave enough to try that in gator country!
Me too! After reading about that gnarly flesh-eating bacteria, I may stay out of lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds for the time being ~ leaving them to the gators and snakes.
It looks as if you had great fun and you are so brave.
I’m very glad I tried it and plan to do it again soon. I’m just happy the gators weren’t out and about at the same time. 😉
I have always wondered how easy or difficult that was. Good for you it looks like a lot of fun but not with alligators!!!!!!!
Well, the only evidence of gators was the sign. Maybe they find a better swimming hole during the summer months when swimmers are around.
Brilliant. Was it fairly strenuous? A friend has a voucher for us to both try it out on the harbour here.
It’s a bit like kayaking . . . while standing up. Once you’re standing, exercise intensity depends on how far and how fast you want to go. And, of course, how well you maintain your balance when on the move. I’m glad I tried it, and I would like to do it again, but I don’t expect to add it to my weekly exercise routine.
PS – getting into gator water is nuts, if I might say so 🙂
Thanks!
If I’d seen any gators lurking about, I would never have climbed aboard the board. I would have saved paddleboarding for another day.
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you got in a lake that had a warning sign for alligators???!!! LOL
I iz nutz! 😕