What’s SUP?

from YYCFamilies 2023

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Stand-up paddleboarding spots for the whole family in and around Calgary

Stand-up paddleboarding has taken Calgary by storm over the past few years! We’ve compiled some of the best spots to try it from our local experts, Karen Ung (@playoutsidegal) and Tanya Koob (rockiesfamilyadventures.com), so you can get out on the water this summer: KAREN UNG’S FAVORITES IN CALGARY: Chestermere Lake

Okay, Chestermere isn’t technically in Calgary, but it’s just about as close as you can get! Chestermere Lake is a large (4.8km long) lake 20 minutes east of Calgary with sandy beaches. Access the water at Anniversary Park & Beach (208 West Chestermere Drive), John Peake Memorial Park Boat Launch (121 Chestermere Station Way – behind Tim Horton’s) or Sunset Park (421 East Chestermere Drive). Stop and have a picnic before or after paddling at any of these spots!

Note that this lake can get some big waves from wind and boat/ Seadoo traffic, so mornings and evenings are the best time to paddle. Bowness Lagoon, NW Calgary

With flat water and onsite rentals, Bowness Lagoon is perfect for beginners. See if you can spot the resident beaver as you paddle around the ponds, then paddle past the Bownessie mural, and head up the creek for a change of scenery. The creek is shallow and slow moving, so there’s no current to fight. Afterwards, get an ice cream at Seasons of Bowness Park or have a picnic! Many of the picnic sites have fire pits and picnic shelters.

Canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals are available at the boat dock. The lagoon and near side of the creek (far side is too shallow) are also suitable for stand-up paddleboarding. Carburn Park, SE Calgary

Carburn Park is a good place to learn to SUP or kayak if you have inflatables you don’t mind carrying a short ways. The second pond, 300m from the parking lot, has calm water and is surrounded by deciduous trees and shrubs. Keep an eye out for kingfishers and great blue herons! If you’d like to stay a while, there are pretty picnic areas and paths around the ponds.

Rent SUPs from University of Calgary Outdoor Centre, Aquabatics, Sports Rent, or The Paddle Station.

No matter where you buy or rent your SUP from, make sure that it has an ankle leash and that you wear a PFD to keep you safe on the water. TANYA KOOB’S FAVORITES OUTSIDE OF CALGARY: Barrier Lake, Kananaskis Barrier Lake is located off Highway 40, approximately 15 minutes away from Kananaskis Village. You can rent inflatable boards and boats from Kananaskis Outfitters. For more information, visit kananaskisoutfitters.com. Once you have your paddle boards, drive over to the Barrier Lake Day-Use Area where you’ll find picnic tables and a great rocky beach area for the kids to play at. Lower Kananaskis Lake at Peninsula Day-Use Area Lower Kananaskis Lake at Peninsula Day-Use Area. Rent SUPs from Kananaskis Outfitters and then keep driving toward Peter Lougheed Provincial Park where you’ll find the Peninsula Day-Use Area with picnic tables scattered along the lakeshore. My family likes to paddle in the protected bay between the Peninsula and Canyon day-use areas. There are sheltered safe practice areas for children to try paddling, as well.

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Quarry Lake, Canmore

This is everybody’s favorite mountain beach, and for good reason. The small lake is calm and perfect for learning to stand up paddle. There’s also plenty of space to put down a picnic blanket, and the kids will be able to play in the small rocky pools for hours. While the water is not exactly warm, children never seem to mind. Rent the SUPs in Calgary or in Canmore from Bow Valley SUP. For more information, visit bowvalleysup.ca. Johnson Lake, Banff

For beginners, there’s no better place in the mountains to try stand up paddling than on this calm lake near the town of Banff. It is located on the Minnewanka Loop road and children will enjoy playing at the sandy beach. This is Banff’s only beach with real sand and shallow water to play in. There is also a nice hiking trail around the lake where you can look out for a couple of swings (one that allows you to swing into the lake, if you want). To rent SUPs, either pick them up in Calgary (the more affordable option) and transport them out to the mountains or stop by the Banff Canoe Club at their shop along the Bow River in town. For more information, visit banffcanoeclub.com.

SOME SAFETY TIPS FROM TANYA: • Consider taking a lesson from one of the fabulous companies in Calgary or in the

Bow Valley. • Rent a wetsuit with your board or try paddling on a very warm day first. It’s also advised that you stay close to shore until you have your balance mastered. • A head wind is not your friend on a board. Pay attention to the wind, if you find yourself being blown down a lake.

It will be twice the effort to get back to your starting point. • Always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation

Device) and carry a whistle in case you get in trouble and need to call for help. • Paddle with a friend or a family member; there’s safety in numbers. • Dress as if you were going to fall in the water. This should include a bathing suit with either a wetsuit or else quick dry pants and a swim shirt overtop. I’m also partial to wearing a rain jacket on cool days or during the evenings. • Wear sandals or water shoes with a protective bottom for rocks that you’ll likely step on while getting on or off your board. And think athletic sandals rather than flip-flops. Many paddlers like to go barefoot, but this is only recommended when you are starting from a sandy beach. • Don’t take anything on your board that can’t get wet (think keys, phones, cameras).

Either bring a dry bag for your valuables (and attach it to the bungees on your board) or lock everything safely in your car.

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Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas. With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun. Follow on Instagram @playoutsidegal. Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to a spunky boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountainrelated. She is the author of the blog Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. You can find her on Instagram @MountainMomYYC.