Penner: Life slows down while you're trying to stand up on the Bow River

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Halfway through the first rapids, just 100 metres, give or take, from our launch point in Douglasdale, I flew — arms windmilling, legs flailing — off my board, did a couple of underwater barrel rolls, and resurfaced with a perplexed look on my face. Well, to clarify, the “perplexed” aspect was the result of the “flying.” Which was more like a very sudden, un-athletic, involuntary reaction to gravitational forces. Regardless, SUPing the Bow River has become, for me, an enjoyable way to recreate … and ragdoll … on a hot summer day.

In case you need a gentle reminder, SUPing is short for stand-up paddleboarding. And it’s a sport that has grown significantly in the past couple of decades. According to me and a few of my fellow flat-water flounderers out there, you don’t even need to be all that great at it to enjoy it. (Paddling from your knees seems to work fine in many situations and, of course, whenever you’ve suffered enough humiliation).

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Ultra-light, easy-to-transport, inflatable boards have definitely been a game-changer, fueling the paddleboarding surge. No need to strap a big heavy board to your roof rack, have it fly off on the Deerfoot, and play Frogger to retrieve it! They easily fit into a trunk or a backseat. You can even pack them like a backpack and hike to your favourite location. Storing them at home is also way easier and a significant advantage over the old days. They roll up into a relatively small package/bag that can easily fit in the closet or even under a bed.

Unquestionably, learning proper form and efficient paddling skills is key when starting in the sport. Also, the safety aspect is paramount. Thankfully, there are good people out there who can help with all of this.

Kelsey Baldwin, owner and lead guide of Kelsey’s Caravan, is one such person. She’s a professional river guide and has been rafting, kayaking, and SUPing for over 10 years. Each summer she conducts dozens of beginner SUP clinics, courses, and private lessons on the Bow River. Her company also offers guided multi-day river trips in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ecuador.

“Safety on the river is the most important thing,” says Baldwin. “PFDs are a must. And you always want to wear an ankle leash on a lake and never want to wear an ankle leash on the river. If you fall off and your board or leash gets wrapped around a bridge pillar, tree, rock, or another obstacle, you do not have the means to reach up and undo your ankle leash no matter how strong you think you are. Ankle leashes are one of the major causes of entrapment, injury and death in the river. We can avoid all of those potential risks by wearing a quick-release leash or no leash at all.”

Naturally, every river, including our lovely Bow River here in Calgary, has nuances, risks and a character all its own.