Stand Up Paddling: Flatwater to Surf and Rivers, by Rob CaseySo a few weeks ago as I was strolling by the Avon, I had to do a double-take as I spotted some folks walking on the river's surface. That's what it looked like, and either I was witnessing a modern miracle or these people were doing something pretty nifty. Upon closer inspection, they were all standing on boards or low-slung kayaks with varying degrees of confidence, ready to participate in a new trend in water sport - stand-up paddling. Naturally I had to find out more, hence this week's review. It turns out that Peruvian fishermen have propelled themselves in this manner for 3000 years, and of course surfing has been a way of life in Hawaii for centuries, but it is still relatively new around these parts. Stand-up paddling requires core strength, good balance, patience (at first), and a spirit for adventure. It is a great workout for shoulders, legs and core, and can be a stepping stone toward surfing on bigger, wavier bodies of water.
Author Rob Casey has compiled a wealth of information in this slim volume, describing the equipment, clothing and types of paddle strokes in good detail, with appendices for further information on technique and safety (although there's nothing on avoiding territorial swans). There's a full chapter on paddling flat surfaces like calm bays and sounds (or the Avon), and another on navigating choppier rivers with rapids. Casey goes into excellent detail on boating etiquette as well, which is absolute essential knowledge to avoid accidents on the water.
It may be getting too cold to try it this year, but you can bet there will be more stand-up paddlers on the river next summer, getting ready to graduate to surfing and rolling over rapids. (Don't be offended if they don't wave, they're too busy keeping their balance and piloting around the ducks.)
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