By Chris Carragher, Seacoast Paddleboard Club
In 2013, standup paddle boarding (SUP) had the most first-time participants of any outdoor sporting activity in the United States according to the Outdoor Industry Association. This was also the year that I took my niece Kylie on our first paddleboard excursion around Leach Island in Portsmouth.
Little did I know at that time that this paddle would lead to something much bigger and inspire the formation of Seacoast Paddleboard Club (SPC). But, that’s a story for another time.
By 2014, there were about twenty retail outlets in the entire state of New Hampshire that sold or rented paddleboards. Today, there are at least ten businesses that sell or rent paddleboards within a 15-mile radius of downtown Portsmouth.
Like a tsunami, paddle board fever rolled across New Hampshire and lead thousands of weekend warriors out onto our rivers, lakes, beaches, and bays. But, why? What was the sudden attraction by so many to grab a board and paddle, and hit the water?
To answer this question, I turned to members of the Seacoast Paddleboard Club. With their insight, I was able to pinpoint why the sport has become so popular, and map out 5 Reasons Why You Should SUP the Seacoast:
1.Connect with Nature: “Paddle boarding allows me to connect with nature,” explained Allyson Strain of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “On any given day, you don’t know what you’re going to see, both good and bad. With this connection, comes a sense of responsibility to protect the places we love.”
Get Connected: The SPC partnered with Blue Ocean Society in 2016 to host a monthly beach cleanup. The group meets on the third Sunday of every month at Pirates Cove. Click here to learn more.
2. Explore New Places: “Since I started paddle boarding, I visited parts of the Seacoast that I don’t think that I would have otherwise explored, noted Sarah MacNeilage Patey, of Epping, NH. “I started paddle boarding at Pawtuckaway State Park, but now I really enjoy taking road trips to paddle the York River, Chauncey Creek, and Plum Island.”
3. Stay Active, Keep Healthy: “Even as a competitive ski racer and coach, I’ve never been a big fan of the gym,” explains Drew Craig of Portsmouth, NH. “The great thing about paddling is like skiing, you’re getting a workout and staying active while enjoying all of the benefits of being outdoors.”
4. Free Your Mind: “Getting out on the water, whether its SUP surfing at Cable Road or paddling the back channel, is a great way to reduce stress,” said Tom Mack of Rye, NH. “I enjoy paddling year-round and find it’s a great way to relax and unwind.”
Need to Unwind? SUP yoga is a great way to relax and unwind. To learn more, we’d encourage you to check out KOAN Wellness in York, ME, or Seavasana in Portsmouth, NH.
5. Meet New People: “The Seacoast paddling community is awesome, explains Nick Brown, of South Eliot, Maine. “I’ve met some great new friends paddling and they continue to push me to get out on the water. Because of these relationships, I probably paddle ten times more often than I would by myself.”
At the end of the day paddle boarding, by yourself or with a group, is a great way to reconnect with nature and enjoy what we have in our own backyard. As noted by the SPC members above, getting out on the water offers some amazing benefits for the mind, body, and soul.
One of the primary reasons the sport has become so popular across the country is because we all have access to a body water. The need to protect our rivers, lakes, beaches, and bays is a priority for our members, and we are proud to stand alongside the Every Drop partner organizations who continue to do their part to protect the places we love. If you’d like to learn more about our paddle outings and events, please visit www.SeacoastPaddleboardClub.com.