I love the water. It may be partly because I spent many hours of my childhood years on a boat in Puget Sound – being on water brings back fond memories. It calms me. And this effect is backed by science. For this reason, I am drawn to just about every kind of water sport there is. Swimming, Kayaking, scuba diving. But I had never tried Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) until recently. Something about trying to balance on a board, on the water, just seemed intimidating. But I finally got my courage up to rent a board and give it a try, and I am so glad I did. Surprisingly it is not as hard as it looks. And I must say, I was relieved to find out I could start by kneeling first and work my way up from there!
The Columbia River runs through the heart of Tri-Cities, Washington and provides the perfect course for paddle boarding. If you live here, or are visiting, then Northwest Paddle Boarding, located in Howard Amon Park, is your go-to spot whether this is your first time trying SUP or you are a seasoned expert. They offer rentals, classes, tours, even SUP Yoga – which I have decided I must try soon!
The rentals are reasonably priced and located right at the park for a quick and convenient way to enjoy an hour or two of that calming happiness that water brings. Even little ones can quickly get the hang of this. And when you are done – wander over to the outdoor eatery and pick up an ice cream or snow cone!
If you have already tried SUP a few times then I recommend you sign up for one of their tours. I recently did the tour from Leslie Groves to Columbia Point.
This is a great way to spend an afternoon with your friends, make some new friends, and enjoy time out in the sun and water. You may even get a chance to see some wildlife close up.
Everything you need is provided, and the tour guides do a great job at pacing the tour to match everyone’s comfort level. The tour ends at Lulu’s followed by a complimentary drink. I can’t think of a better way to spend a summer afternoon!