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SUP - Stand up Paddle boarding is taking the Midwest by Storm!

This fast-growing sport is a fun, easy way to go play on the water. With a minimum of equipment, you can paddle anything from ocean surf to lakes and rivers. No waves required.

Paddleboarding offers an amazing full body workout and is becoming a favorite cross-training activity for skiers, snowboarders and other athletes. And since you're standing at your full height, you'll enjoy excellent views of everything from sea creatures to what's on the horizon. It's almost like walking on water!

TRUST US, YOU'LL BE HOOKED!

At Bell Tower we rent and sell a wide variety of SUPs!
$80.00 - One day rental (10am day one and pickup 8am day two)
$140.00 - Two day rental (10am day one and pickup 8am day three).

Techniques: Getting Started

Carrying Your Board to the Water:

If your stand up paddleboard has been designed with a built-in handle, carrying it is a breeze. Just lean the board on its rail (edge), reach for the handle and tuck the board under one arm. Carry your paddle with the other hand.

Paddleboarding on Calm Water:

When you're learning the sport, it's best to start out in ideal conditions: flat, calm water that's free of obstacles like boats and buoys.

Mounting the Paddleboard:

When you're a beginner, it's easier to kneel on the board rather than to stand directly upright. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

• Standing alongside the board, place your paddle across the deck of the board and use it as an outrigger. The paddle grip is on the rail (edge) of the board; the blade rests on the water.
• Hold the board by the rails. One hand will also be holding the paddle grip.
• Pop yourself onto the board into a kneeling position, just behind the center point of the board.
• From that kneeling position, get a feel for the balance point of the board. The nose shouldn't pop up out of the water and the tail shouldn't dig in.
• Keep your hands on either side of the board to stabilize it.

Once you're ready, stand up on the board one foot at a time. Place your feet where your knees were. You might also bring a friend to wade out about knee-deep with your board. Have your friend stabilize the board as you get the hang of standing on it.

Techniques: On the Water

Paddleboarding Stance:

• Your feet should be parallel, about hip-width distance apart, centered between the rails (board edges). Don't stand on the rails.
• Keep toes pointed forward, knees bent and your back straight.
• Balance with your hips—not your head.
• Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips.
• Your gaze should be level at the horizon. Avoid the temptation to stare at your feet.
• It's much like bicycling: When your forward momentum increases, your stability increases as well.

Paddleboarding Stroke:

• If you're paddling on the right, your right hand is lower and on the paddle shaft. Your top (left) hand is on the top of the grip.
• The elbow (angle) of the paddle faces away from you.
• Keep your arms straight and twist from your torso as you paddle. Think of using your torso to paddle rather than your arms. You have more strength in those abdominal muscles than in your arms.
• Push down on the paddle grip with your top hand.
• Plant the paddle by pushing the blade all the way under the surface, pull it back to your ankle, then out of the water.
• When you're beginning, keep your strokes fairly short and close alongside the board. No need to overpower it.
• A small draw stroke at the beginning of the paddle stroke will keep you going forward.
• To go in a reasonably straight line, paddle about 4 or 5 strokes on one side, then switch to the other.
• When you switch sides, you'll reverse hand positions.