As the crisp air of winter faded and spring bloomed across the Sierra Nevada, I , along with many Sierra Rec readers, embarked on a personal challenge: to discover a new outdoor activity. For me, the answer came in the form of paddleboarding. Drawn by the allure of exploring the countless lakes nestled within the mountains, I envisioned myself gliding effortlessly across the water, soaking in the tranquility of nature.
Partnering with Outdoor Masters, I acquired a 10.5′ inflatable SUP (stand-up paddleboard), eager to transform my usual hiking adventures into a more multi-faceted exploration of the Sierra Nevada. Having researched best practices, I opted for an inflatable board due to its portability and ease of storage. The package included a backpack carrying case, paddle, hand pump (with an electric pump purchased separately), and an ankle leash – a crucial safety element for any paddleboarder.
Living near the beautiful water of Lake Tahoe, I’d often admired paddleboarders gliding gracefully across the water’s surface. Their serene movements and the stunning scenery instilled a desire to experience this activity firsthand. Beyond the recreational aspect, paddleboarding offered a unique way to navigate and appreciate the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada lakes.
Taking the Plunge in Lake Almanor
Finally, Memorial Day weekend arrived, and I was heading up to Lake Almanor for the Bass Fishing Tournament. The weather was going to be warm, and unlike an April trip I took up to Gold Lake Highway, thinking the lakes would be unthawed, Lake Almanor would indeed be in fine shape for my first test on the board. When I drove into town, I was early for my events, so I went directly to the West Shore of Lake Almanor to find a private beach spot and see if this would be my new favorite ride. The Lake was choppy from the wind, but I didn’t come to wait for calm waters.
I pulled the SUP out of the bag, hooked it up to the CACHALOT Mini ELECTRIC SUP PUMP I had ordered, and just like that, the board was pumped up and ready to ride. I had taken some advice from friends on the best way to onboard my 6’3″ 250lb body onto the board in the water. So I extended the Pole to the correct height, then used it as a stable beam as I placed my first foot on the center of the board and, with confidence, hoisted the second leg up onto the board. “I did it.” I was not very stable, but I was standing on the board. That’s when it got interesting.
Apparently, It would help if you started the board in a little deeper water and did not have it dry-docked on its nose at the beach. I went nowhere fast. (HAHA) So, on the second go around, I moved the board out to shin-deep water and again began the boarding process. Once again, I did it; I was up on the board. As I started to paddle backward to pull away from the shore, I immediately lost balance and stumbled off the board into Lake Almanor.
Ouch, the rocky bottom of the shoreline I had chosen was not friendly to the feet. Determined, I tried again and again but only made it about 5 feet before falling off again. This first trip was getting lackluster results. But I was not discouraged; I figured that my core strength might not be ready to stand, so I shifted to kneeling on my knees and gave it another shot. Perfect, I started floating and paddling across the choppy waters of Lake Almanor immediately.
A new Form of Recreation
I floated around on my knees and bottom for about an hour on Lake Almanor, enjoying the tranquil life on the Lake. Lake Almanor is a clear lake, and I stayed in about 12 feet of water, still seeing the bottom below the board. Its pine-lined shoreline leads the eyes directly to Lassen to the north and the clear skies, making this a perfect afternoon adventure. I found the leisurely paddle of the SUP in Lake Almanor relaxing once I could see my balance and preferred riding style, perched up off my heels and onto my knees. But after an hour of getting comfortable and trying to learn the maneuvering, I was tired and called it a day.
Back at shore, I hooked up the hose to let the air out of the board, dried it off, and folded it back into its pack. I was happy with my first outing. And was already anticipating the chance to go to another lake to learn how to ride better, maybe get my Pup Dakota to ride with me and eventually, I’m confident I will get the stand version of this sport down.
The one thing that I knew for sure, floating on these gorgeous Sierra Lakes was something I would enjoy a lot. With home Lakes like Lake Tahoe, Caples Lake, and Blue Lakes easily accessible and many others within a morning’s drive, I look forward to bringing readers along on a journey of discovery as I learn to Paddleboard and enjoy these tranquil Sierra waters.
A Six Part Summer Series – Learning to Paddleboard the Sierra
Join me on this journey as I navigate the learning curve of paddleboarding, explore the breathtaking Sierra Nevada lakes, and (hopefully) convince Dakota to share the board! In the next installment, I’ll chronicle my adventure to Blue Lakes, testing the waters (literally) to see if my furry friend can handle a paddleboard ride. Stay tuned!
