Join the Bend, Oregon Stand Up Paddle Group

Yesterdays Bend Bulletin featured a Standup Paddler on the front page! Many of us Bend, Oregon stand up paddlers have been getting out and enjoying the mild weather and SUP paddling this spring already.

I've heard from Tim Walston that Wickiup reservoir is totally clear of any snow or ice and open for paddling now. April and May are the best months for stand up paddling down-wind runs at Wickiup. The trip from Gull Point boat ramp to Wickiup Butte boat ramp is 8.33 miles and you definitely get wind-wave rides along the way. Later into June the water level recedes and it's not as good.

I'll be sending out a notice when it looks warm enough for our usual Friday at 4:30 gatherings.  We launch from the paved parking lot just south of Alder Creek Kayak by the Bend Outrigger Canoes. We stand up paddle upstream past the Healy Bridge to the rapids and back. Newcomers are welcome on this casual, social gathering. Bring your own beverages for afterward.

New this year will be free Tuesday and Thursday morning Fitness stand up paddles at 7:30 a.m from the new River Bend Park (the PPP launch).  This will involve a ten minute warmup in the park before speed-paddling the Old Mill Stretch. Various fitness instructors will direct the warmup,  including me. My sessions will be featuring Jack Gillen's Wave Chi Hawaiian Surf Clubs.  If you would like to direct, e-mail me back and we'll  schedule it (hey Jen!).

There will be a lot of stand up paddle races scheduled this year around Bend, Oregon, and we want to get in shape for them. The big races to plan for are the Odell Lake Pioneer Cup, July 31st and the Tahoe Nalu, Aug 21, 22. We're also planning fun races at Elk Lake and on The Old Mill stretch.  There will be a number of races in The Gorge this summer too.

Please e-mail me if you had any adventures this winter you want to share for our blog.

See You on the Water,
Randall Barna




www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Perfect "I Only Have an Hour" SUP Paddle in Bend, Oregon

Our new favorite place to launch from for a quick stand up paddle session of about an hour is from the new Riverbend Park across from the Old Mill District and up river from the Colorado Bridge. The sandy beach launch is at a wide and slower place in the river that makes it easier to get on the board and get going. 

If you want a workout, start with a warm up downstream, the fitness part upstream, then a cool down going downstream:

• Go downriver first to the Colorado Bridge, turn around at the danger signs and floats then continue back upriver past the Riverbend Park and continue to the Healy Bridge (you'll go under several walking bridges on the way). You'll know you're at the Healy Bridge because the river narrows and gets small rapids. Just upriver of the bridge is a nice wide spot for turning around. 
• Turn around and go back to the half-way mark (Riverbend Park). Some paddlers will do laps of the river with this system.

During Summer when the water is much warmer, a lot of SUP paddlers like to play in the riffles upriver from the Healy Bridge. It's a great social and fitness paddle. Here's what the Bend Parks and Rec has to say about the new park:
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Riverbend Park, on the Deschutes River in Bend, OR
13.1 acres
799 SW Columbia Street

Completed in 2009, Riverbend Park is a special community gathering place that celebrates the Deschutes River, provides a special events venue, provides public river access and conserves the native riparian landscape. This riverfront park features large open lawn areas, a sandy beach, public restrooms, a picnic shelter and fully accessible walking trails. Riverbend Park is also home to BPRD's district office and community room. The park was designed to accommodate larger events and can be reserved for a variety of uses.
The Deschutes River Trail connections traveling through the park include a 10-foot wide paver path and an adjacent soft surface running trail.  From here, connections can be made to Farewell Bend Park across the river and upstream to the south canyon walking trails (From the Bend Parks and Rec website)

Buy Your SUP boards and paddles from us at www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

NW Cabin Fever Relief - Watch this Chuck Patterson SUP Piece

The Standup Project has a video interview of Chuck Patterson that Judy Shasek sent to us. Take a moment to watch it. Maybe you'll get excited enough to get out on your stand up paddle board and brave the Deschutes River this time of year.

Last weekend was unusually warm (in the upper 50's F) for February in the Northwest, so a bunch of us took advantage of the sun and promising ourselves superior balance (the water was 42F) we launched at the new park and paddled the Deschutes river stretch between the Colorado and Healy bridges.

Gary Yoder paddled the river his first time. Kudos for Gary for sticking with us for the paddle loop and staying dry!

Photos:
Group photo L - R: Cristina Acosta, Isabella Barna, Gary Yoder, Ed Shasek, Judy Shasek
Gary Yoder and Cristina Acosta on the Deschutes. Cristina has a new hat!!! (Let's see how long this one lasts.)

Remember to buy your SUP Standup Paddle boards, paddles and gear from us at www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Hobie ATR SUP Board is Ultra Stable for Cold Water Paddling

February 2010 has been a mild winter month in Bend, Oregon with many days to paddle the Deschutes River. Most popular is the Colorado Bridge to the Southern Cross Bridge loop (3 miles). Launching from the new Riverbend Park "beach" is easy. The gradual, sandy slope allows SUPers to mount their boards without getting wet above mid-calf (a good thing when the water temps are between 38 and 42 degrees F.)

Stand up paddling in winter on the Deschutes is a lot quieter than the summer time scene. During the summer there are hundreds of floaters on tubes, mattresses and every other inflatable imagainable. A city bus with a trailer for the floaties ferries floaters back up the river for $1.00. Not only is it a bargain for the floaters, navigating the crowd gives us stand up paddlers slalom practice!

For now, it's a quiet and serene time on the river (as long as no one falls in).

Photos:

• Tom Burke is heading under the old logging bridge over the Deschutes River toward the observation deck. Notice the clean glide on his 12' x 30" Hobie ATR SUP board (just so you know, we have this board in stock. No sales tax. Free shipping.)
• Tom Burke demos a pivot turn - pretty good in 42F degree water!!

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

May, 2012 Update
We now also have the new 12'2" Hobie ATR II boards in stock.  The 12'2" ATR II is even more stable that the original 12' ATR, making it an awesome family SUP board - super stable for kids and pets to ride on the front. We don't know of any other board that has such a combination of high volume, light weight and top quality construction.  Features updated colors and graphics, bamboo inlays, amazing finish, built-in tie down points and leash plug and the softest deck pads in the industry.  We also have the 11' Hobie ATR II and the 10' ATR II.

Colorado Bridge Over the Deschutes River is in Line for an Upgrade

After the Deschutes River stretch through the town of Bend, Oregon  was opened to swimmers a few years ago, the culture of the town took a turn towards the river. A vibrant culture of water lovers float the section of river from the Healy Bridge to the Colorado Spillway Bridge most every summer day, sometimes hundreds a day when the weather is warm.

Floaters will get out at one of the casual beaches before the Colorado Bridge, but sometimes, they don't. Though some people make it if they get pulled over the spillway under the bridge, two people died over the past couple of years and there have been quite a few near misses. Gather a group of regular river paddlers and someone will have a story about saving a floater from going over.

Well now, there is some good news -- for both the floaters and the paddlers.

The Colorado Bridge on Colorado Avenue in Bend, Oregon is being considered for a $1.7 Million dollar upgrade. The Bend Park & Recreation District board is considering replacing the Colorado spillway bridge and creating a channel for boaters, a whitewater channel and some wildlife habitat area. You can read more about the proposed project at the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation site.

Remember - Buy your Stand Up Paddle gear from us at www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Are You Ready for Winter Paddling? Prineville Reservoir Only has Ice on the Edges!

Jerry Lear sent this photo of the ice next to his windsurf sail with this note:

Sailed for 3 hours today at Prineville Res getting out of the water in the dark.  Check out the iceberg floating by.
 Jerry

Jerry's a hardcore guy paving the way for any other hardcore types. Thinking about the cold wind whipping across a lake in January doesn't make most people motivated to rig. So I guess there really is no excuse now to evade winter SUP training. At least we don't fall in (mostly).

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

The Gathering Rogue Longboard Results

"The Gathering" Rogue Longboard Classic was interesting, to say the least, with the giant swell rolling through on Saturday. Sunday was smaller and barely manageable but a few of our Bend SUP borders and surfers managed to make it to the podium! Judy Shasek in the SUP womens class, Tom Burke in the SUP mens class and Peter Miller in the grand dukes longboard class. Congratulations to all of our Stand Up Paddlers from Bend, Oregon. Read here for more about the Gathering.
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Here's what Ed Shasek had to say about the 2009 The Gathering event:

"Swells were 14 feet on the face Saturday, frightening. It looked like "Victory at Sea" The waves were crashing all the way over the jetty. Randall and I didn't go out. The SUP guys that did were getting smashed. Tom Burke went out and got at least one good ride inside the big stuff, still overhead, Peter Miller went out and decided to stay out of the big stuff and came back in, although he did get 4th in the Grand Dukes prone surfing class (over 60) with several great rides on Sunday. Tom said it was very difficult to get out and he had to turn-turtle several times. He got a lump on his cheekbone when his paddle clocked him. There were very few rides by SUP on Saturday, I think I saw two, and these guys were good SUP surfers. Tom made the final six for Sunday finals, but did not go out as he was tired and wanted to get back to Bend with his wife to paddle the river and rest. He had just returned from Maui the day before. Randall picked up his 6th place trophy for him. For the Sunday finals, it was overcast and cold on the beach. The swell subsided to about 6-8 face, but it looked like a washing machine. Judy's Saturday heat was postponed to the Sunday finals, as there were only two SUP women. She did great. I was so proud of her. She got all the way out and got one up-and-down ride and one ride across the face on the outside break. The other woman couldn't get out and road the foam a bunch of times to take 1st. This woman was good enough to get 3rd in the woman's prone over 25 class. She was 48 years old from Alaska and thought the weather and water was balmy. Judy got the second place trophy. She was 1st in our minds as she had the strength, steel ovaries and determination to get outside. She is a much better woman than I am a man. If she was a man they would clang when she walked. In fact, I thought I heard them when she was walking up the beach after her session. We all paddled the Bay at Newport on Saturday afternoon and had a beautiful paddle. Had to paddle against a strong wind to get back to the put-in."
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Click here to view these pictures larger

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Sept. 13th Elk Lake Wind Surfing Race Course is a Fun SUP Paddle

Jerry Lear is running this weekend's Windsurfing race at Elk Lake (about 40 minutes from Bend, Oregon) and sent the following info. If your stand up paddle board had a past life as a windsurf course board, here's your chance to get out your old rig and take a spin. Entering the race is free. If you don't have a windsurf rig in your life, you may want to try paddling the race course before or after the race. I paddled parts of the course during the last windsurfing race and it was fun. The light, shifty winds that Elk Lake is famous for gave me an extra workout. Here's Jerry's note:

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Hi there windsurfers,

The last windsurfing race of the season will be this coming Sunday,
September 13th at Elk Lake. The changeable weather patterns this time of year will be a true test of who the real windsurfers are.

Randall will be away and has asked me to run the race.

We will meet at Beach campground as we have been. There will be a very
short skippers meeting at 1:30 with the first race, wind permitting,
beginning at 2 PM sharp.

(The race is FREE -- no entry fees, no prizes, no organization, just a few of us
getting together to race.)

In case you are late or just want to think about it here is the skipper's
meeting. Begin at 2 PM sharp and run 3 races. Depending on the wind
direction we will sail upwind to either the elkwnd or elkwnd2 mark (see
attachment), then leave the elkrch mark to port and finish in the usual way
below the 2 buoys at the start.

Someone has taken our starboard start mark which was too close to shore
anyway but there is still a second mark which we can use for the finish but
not for the start.

For the start there will be a 3 minute countdown and then we will start to
leeward of the start mark which is farthest from shore. We will use an
imaginary start line going at right angles to the wind from that start. We
will also pick an object on shore to be the pin end of the line but will ask
that everyone begin within 10-12 board lengths of the start and no port
starts please.

If you think you might be coming I would love it if you could respond to
this note, but you don't have to do this.

See you Sunday, Jerry
___________________________________________________________
www.StandUpPaddle Flatwater.com
Buy your SUP and windsurf crossover boards, gear and accessories from us. We appreciate your support.

Women Love the Core Workout of Stand up Paddleboarding

Laying on your floor doing crunches is no fun compared to the core workout you get when you stand up paddle board. And, engaging your core while balancing and paddling improves your overall fitness and balance skills for other sports.

Stand up paddling is a low impact core workout that is great for men and women. I love to go paddling with my friends and chat while getting a great workout in nature surrounded by water.

So how do you maximize your core movements while paddling? When first learning to paddle it's natural to think of paddling as an arm exercise. To get the most power as you paddle you must engage your core.

Here are some ideas to help you maximize your core strength when stand up paddleboarding:

1. Bend slightly at the waist when you paddle and be sure your knees are soft or slightly bent.
2. Pretend there is a small ball at the top of our diaphragm and in your imagination start compressing that ball so that your core crunch starts at the top of your abs.
3. Because you will be paddling on different sides, your obliques will also be part of the movement. Paddle both sides of your body as evenly as the conditions allow.
   

The photo above is of two Bend, Oregon athletes paddling at Elk Lake, Oregon: Dagmar Erickson, a world title holder Nordic skier and Susan Hopkins, an all-around athlete. Susan is on a Laird 12'1" gloss stand up board. Dagmar is paddling her kayak.

You can rent stand up paddle boards near Bend, Oregon at Elk Lake Resort, Oregon, about a 35-40 minute drive from Bend on the beautiful Cascade Lakes Highway. Read more about Elk Lake and other Places to Paddle near Bend, Oregon.

Purchase your stand up paddleboard gear from us at www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
We appreciate your support. Thanks!

XTERRA Adventures Filmed Bend, Oregon Stand Up Paddlers

The XTERRA crew visited Bend, Oregon for an adventure race and shot some stand up paddle boarding footage on the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District. Thanks to everyone who made it to the XTERRA Adventures photo shoot last fall. We were scheduled to be out of town that weekend and after putting the word out, were relieved to know that many of you local paddlers hit the water for the camera crew.

Some of the local paddlers in the film include: Dennis Oliphant (and his dog), Ron Thompson (and his dog, Lucy), Kerie Raymond, Jason Bowerman and Cptn. Sawdust (aka Bob Jumper). If you see anyone else you know, let me know and I'll put their names on this list.

This stretch of the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon is a favorite fitness paddle for local paddlers. From the Colorado Bridge upstream to the Healy Bridge and back is about a 45-60 minute paddle, just enough for a quick trip on the water. For more information about other great places to stand up paddle around Bend, Oregon, see our places to paddle listings.

And remember -- Buy your stand up paddle boards, paddles and accessories from us. Every purchase helps us to spread the word about this great sport. We appreciate your support.

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Stand Up Paddling at Elk Lake - Near Bend, Oregon

Places to Paddle Circa Bend, Oregon: Elk Lake in the Deschutes National Forest
Distance from Bend, Oregon: about 40 minutes:
Paddling Season: Memorial Day to first snowfall (Usually May to Sept.) Open for winter activities including snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Elk Lake, Oregon, in the Deschutes National Forest is a step back in time. During the early and mid 1900's, families from the nearby town of Bend, Oregon would travel to Elk Lake and stay for the summer in cabins they often built themselves on Forest Service leased land. Things have changed in one hundred years, but not too much has changed at Elk Lake

Clear, clean water, views of the Cascade Mountains, camping, cabins, sailboating and a charming rustic and historic lodge combine to make Elk Lake a fun day trip or overnight stay. Elk Lake is about a 35-40 minute drive from Bend, Oregon on the scenic Cascade Lakes Highway. Elk Lake covers an area of about 490 acres that's about 75' deep surrounded by a pine forest with views of Mt. Bachelor and the South Sister beyond the tree line.

Elk Lake is a gentle and nonintimidating place to try stand up paddling near Bend, Oregon. The clean lake water is renowned for swimming and doesn't seem to get any algae. Mostly sailboats, canoes and kayaks are on the lake, as well as the occasional distance swimmer getting in some mileage.

Elk Lake Resort rents canoes, stand up paddle boards and kayaks. They have a large dock and rent boat slips for sailboats. There are two swimming platforms by the lodge. Elk Lake Resort also has a restaurant, ice cream and a tiny mini-mart for campers and hikers. (Many Pacific Crest Trail hikers get packages there and stop in for a break).

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Planning a Group Beach Trip to Pacific City

Places to Paddle Circa Bend, Oregon:
WHERE: Pacific City aka Cape Kiwanda, Oregon
DISTANCE: About 4 hour drive from Bend, Oregon.
SEASON: All year. Fall is best for weather

Stand up paddling or surfing on the Oregon Coast can be a family trip if you go to Pacific City, Oregon. Pacific City (or PC) is a favorite place for paddler boarders and surfers from Central Oregon.

I put together a list of accommodations within short (100 yards) walking distance of each other that would suit all levels of amenities and prices at Cape Kiwanda so that you'd know what to book if you want to travel with a group of people. From tent camping to luxury cottages, Pacific City / Cape Kiwanda has something for everyone.
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The Cottages -- Gorgeous new buildings that have level access (easy for walking). These cottages have a direct view of the area of surf.

• The cottages have 2 and 3 bedroom options.
• The Dory Fleet ships out and in on that section of beach -- always entertaining.
• Also the tide pools and the big dune that many people hike up are also right there. If you want to watch the activity from the comfort of the living room or deck, you don't have to go anywhere.
• Also -- if want to go to the beach without walking the 100 feet, there is a driveway for the dory boats (and anyone else) to drive onto the beach (another source of endless entertainment).
  

Here's the link to photos of The Cottages
Here's a link to the rental page for the Cottages
Here's the phone from the website: 888-965-7001 rentals@kiwandacottages.com

The Inn at Cape Kiwanda (owned by the same company that owns The Cottages) - This is a decent hotel with renovated rooms that all have a view of the ocean and a little deck, gas fireplaces, etc. You can see from the website that it is a very short walk to The Cottages and is half-way between the beach and the RV park.
The contact number is the same as above: 888-965-7001

Cape Kiwanda RV Park - This has many low priced options (we'll camp here) that includes camping (tents & trailers), camping cottages and deluxe cottages (very nice and new). None of the park has ocean views, but the store/office is next to The Inn at Cape Kiwanda, so it is a short walk to the other locations. The RV park includes an indoor pool and hot tub,
Children's play structures, market / ice cream / souvenir store, pizza place, laundry machines and bunnies hopping around the park.
Contact number is: 503-965-6230

Here's a link to our Stand Up Paddle blog that has a couple entries we made about our visits to Pacific City.

Check out our website for SUP stand up paddle boards that are good in the surf and flatwater.
www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Sarong Sailing SUPs

Flatwater stand up paddling on lakes usually involves wind of some sort if you're out past noon. My friend, Judy Shasek and I were playing around on Hosmer Lake last week and came up with a lot of things to laugh about while we experimented with our SUP boards.

Memories of catching the wind on windsurfers inspired Judy and I to take advantage of a tail wind and try some sailing. Since I often travel with sarongs (as SPF, clothing, mosquito distractor, etc.) I was ready.

I whipped my sarong into the air with a gust and Judy and I made a jib sail between us. It worked so well that we returned the next day with two sarongs and caught downwind puffs singly wherever we could. We even convinced Judy's husband, Ed to give it a try.

I painted these sarongs on silk and cotton and was totally grooving on how they looked filled with air and lit through with sunlight. Silk was definitely the material that won the day as a sarong sail. Silk is strong, lightweight and catches the wind easily. It also looks good on.

Judy and I got so caught up in sarong sailing that we almost re-invented the windsurfer!

Judy's husband, Ed Shasek took the photos (unless he was in them).
www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Yoga on Board

Yogini, Judy Shasek was inspired to take her yoga practice out of the studio and onto her stand up paddle board on to the High Cascade Lakes near her home in Bend, Oregon. Judy didn't seem fazed that two months ago Hosmer Lake was covered in ice and snow. She took the lunge position and tipped herself over.

Judy made it look so easy. "How hard could it be?" I asked myself. As you can see, it wasn't so easy. I tipped over and kept on tipping, right into the VERY cold Hosmer Lake snow-melt fed water.

Someday, in warm waters I may perfect my SUP yoga. Till then, I'll keep my practice on land.


Click here to read about other Places to Paddle circa Bend, Oregon.

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Sunriver Marina Closed to Public Launch

The Sunriver Marina launch on the Deschutes River, Oregon (next to the Trout House Restaurant in Sunriver) is now closed to the public. If you had the idea that you'd check out Sunriver Resort, going to the Marina and launching your stand up paddle board, now you can't.

We recommend that you launch at Harper Bridge and paddle to Benham Falls for an easy and beautiful Deschutes downriver ten mile paddle through the Sunriver Resort area. It's an easier shuttle. You don't have to wind through the traffic and circles of Sunriver Resort (it can be a zoo in the summer) and the Harper Bridge put in adds 3 miles more to the river trip.

The Harper Bridge launch does not require a U.S. Forest Service permit as it's Highway property. The Benham Falls launch area requires a parking pass. You can get a NW Forest pass for $25.00 at most any sporting goods store or National Forest office. Sometimes the parking area has a paid parking box where you can buy a $5.00 per day parking pass.

Read about how to get to the Harper Bridge - Benham Falls stretch of the Deschutes River and what to expect on our post Deschutes River, Oregon: Harper Bridge to Benham Falls.

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Here's the copy of the text from the Sunriver Resort paid advertisement/notice in the July 1, 2009, Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon:

Due to the severe environmental impact and the current conditions of the surrounding riparian areas, the private boat ramp at the Sunriver Resort Marina will be closed to the public as of 5 pm Friday, July 3 (2009). This includes motorized boats and all other flat watercrafts (canoes, kayaks, rafts and other inflatables). All interested boaters may either rent a watercraft through Sunriver Resort Marina and launch from the private doc or access the river via designated public launch sites. Information about access to lakes and rivers in national forests in Central Oregon is available at www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon.

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www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Places to Paddle: Eugene, Oregon, Fall Creek Reservoir

Mikael Carpenter came to Bend, Oregon last year to buy a SUP board. We paddled with him in Bend, and also at the Oregon Coast. He's a great guy, longtime surfer and overall great athlete. He recently posted this map of his training paddle at the Fall Creek Reservoir near Eugene, Oregon. This is about a three hour drive from Bend, Oregon.

Thanks for sharing your flat water training info Mikael. Hope to see you at the Odell Lake Pioneer Cup Race, July 25th, 2009.

Fall Creek Reservoir / SUP Flatwater / Training

Widget powered by EveryTrail: GPS Trail Maps

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Three Reasons Standup Paddling is Big in Bend, Oregon

Whats going on in Bend, Oregon to create such a standup paddle attraction? Paddle boarders are seen everyday on the Deschutes River through the Old Mill District. (And ending up in tourist's photos). Trips to the different Cascade Lakes like Elk Lake, Hosmer Lake, Cultus Lake, Sparks Lake and others (all within an hour of Bend, Oregon) are easy to do and a great way to hang with friends while you get a great workout. Here's why I think Bend, Oregon is only going to get more popular as a stand up paddle boarding destination:

1. The dignitaries, Gerry Lopez Surfboards and Kialoa Paddles call this place home.

2. The places to paddle. In town we have the huge gathering spot to see and be seen paddling the Deschutes river through the Old Mill District. It's a beautiful 3 mile loop and daily workout. Fifteen minutes upstream on the Cascade Lakes Highway we have two stretches of wilderness paddling, one 3.5 mile loop and the other a 4.5 mile loop. In another direction fifteen minutes south of Bend on Hwy 97 we access 35 miles of the Deschutes river flatwater with easy access to many take-outs and car shuttles. The natural scenery, flora and fauna are amazing. The Cascades Lakes Hwy is a National Scenic Byway, also known as Century Drive, a 100 mile loop with nine lakes that are notable for standup paddling. Everything from moonlight mirror to big wave downwinders.

3. The people. Bend is full of athletes and endorphine junkies. Everyone lives here because they love it, not just because. They care for the environment and are always looking for a way to enjoy nature without motors. And we're a very friendly bunch!

Come to Bend, Oregon for your summer SUP paddle boarding vacation. Drop by to join our Friday 4:30 paddle at the Bend River Outrigger Club grassy area (on the South side of the Colorado Bridge). You'll meet new friends and get the best local knowledge about where to paddle that week. And buy a Deschutes Paddle Trail River Guide and you'll have the best paddle trip information at your fingertips.

See you on the water!

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Windsurfing on Elk Lake

Jerry Lear is one of the pioneer windsurfers in Central Oregon. He raced long boards for decades and was often king-of-the-lake. He sails regularly as soon as the high Cascade lakes open up for the season.

Elk Lake, is about a 35-40 minute drive from Bend, Oregon and though the Elk Lake Lodge is open year round, the lake and road are usually open from Memorial Day weekend til the first snows in the Fall. Typically the lake is flat in the morning and the winds kick in during the middle of the afternoon. Most windsurfing happens after 1 p.m. If you paddle and/or windsurf this lake, be sure to tuck some ice cream money in your board shorts and stop by the Elk Lake Lodge on the West side of the Lake (opposite Sunset Beach). The bouys are set up as a race course. It's fun to windsurf big boards or paddle.

Despite the snow patches that hang on the shore, Jerry is on the water. Here's his report from yesterday.
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I sailed at Elk Lake today. There are 6 buoys that I could locate as follows: 2 in Sunset Cove (one is the rock buoy). A buoy at about the usual location of the rock buoy. The upwind buoy which has moved a bit North and 2 buoys at the south end of the lake. I rigged in a thunder storm and sailed when it was over. I stayed out a bit too long and had to stay on the lake during much of the next T storm which was very dramatic with hail, rain and very close lightening. I could definitely smell the ozone in the air. Before I got off the lake I remembered the Bulletin article last week saying that any one individual has about 1/3000 chance of being hit by lightening during their lives. I thought that my chance while sailing in this storm might be a bit higherJ. Here is a question for the experts. What is the risk of a bad result from a lightning strike for a sailor with carbon fiber boom, mast and board but wearing rubber booties and gloves? Jerry
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www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
Thank you for buying your SUP and windsurf crossover gear from us, we appreciate your support.

Time Change for Tomorrow's Deschutes River Trip!!

The weather forecast for tomorrow (Saturday, May 30th) is for a 20% chance of rain and thunderstorms. With the current weather pattern in Central Oregon this means that the possibility of thunderstorms is more likely in the late afternoon. Last year, Judy, Isabella and I got caught in thunderstorms during a 10 mile Pringle Falls stretch. It was so scary that we don't want to do that again. 

Therefore -- after consulting with the other paddlers that have confirmed they are going on this trip, we've decided to leave 2 hours earlier. 

NOTE: We are Leaving 2 HOURS EARLIER. Meet at the Benham Falls Take-out (Lava Lands turnoff) at 7 A.M. 

If you want to talk to Randall about this paddle, be at the 4:30 paddle (at the Outrigger Club grassy area in the Old Mill) or call him at 541-389-4547.

35 Mile Paddle from Pringle Falls to Benham Falls.

This weekend, May 30, 2009 several of us are talking about meeting and doing this 35 mile stand up paddle down the Deschutes River about a 30 minute drive south of Bend, Oregon. This is a buddy-system type of event. No one is in charge or responsible, (Just like many of our other events!) Anyone is welcome to paddle this stretch of the Deschutes river. This is not a paddle boarding adventure for the in-experienced or out-of-shape. You need to have developed some endurance. Even though it's a downstream paddle, you'll be standing a long time. Carry your own snacks and water and have an emergency plan if you think you need one.

It would be great if we had a volunteer to ferry our lunches and act as a sag wagon. If anybody wants to do that, let Randall know and he'll tell you the approximate times. His office number is 389-4547.

There are three take-out points along the way if you bonk or want to do only a portion of the paddle boarding trip.

The take-outs are: Lapine State Park, Big River Campground, and Harper Bridge.

35 Mile Stand Up Paddle from Pringle Falls to Benham Falls on the Deschutes River, Oregon.

• Date: May 30, 2009 (Saturday)
• Time: Meet at Benham falls takeout (Lava Lands turn-off from Hwy. 97) at 7:00 AM. to car-pool shuttle cars.
• Departure time: At Pringle falls 8:00 "ish" am
• Downriver paddle time: Expected to be 6-8 hours including breaks.
• First stretch- Pringle Falls to La Pine State Park 7.5 miles
• Second stretch- LaPine State Park to Big River 9.75 miles Stop here for Lunch
• Third Stretch- Big River to Harper Bridge 7.75 miles
• Fourth Stretch- Harper Bridge to Benham Falls takeout 9.5 miles

If you need a life jacket (now required), rubber edged safety fin (nice if you hit a rock) or tie-downs for your SUP (to stow gear), or a waterproof map of the Deschutes River Trail, check out our website, or call Randall at 541-388-5157 and arrange a time to pick up what you need for the paddle trip.

Note: Photo is of last years 10 mile Benham Falls trip. What a blast! Hope to see you there!

Purchase your stand up paddleboard gear from us at www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com
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