Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is becoming the water sport of choice for Wood River Valley residents of all ages and fitness levels. One of the fastest growing water sports worldwide, SUP provides a low-impact, total-body workout while allowing you to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Idaho's spectacular lakes and rivers. If you have the balance to ride a bike, you can use a stand up paddleboard. However, it helps to have a basic level of core strength, flexibility and balance.

Here’s a quick guide to our current class and clinic offerings that can help get you SUP-ready.

CXWORX
This super-charged, 30-minute class is all about building core strength using your body weight, tubing and weight plates for resistance. Offered in the Fitness Studio Mondays 12:00-12:30pm, Tuesdays 10:05-10:30am, Wednesdays 12:00-12:30pm, and Fridays 12:00-12:30pm.

Sport Stretch/Foam Roller
Stiff, tight muscles can inhibit balance. Loosen them up during this restorative class with Zenergy's Health and Wellness Manager Tim Hanna. Held in the Fitness Studio Mondays 12:45-1:15pm, Wednesdays 7:00-8:00am, and Thursdays 3:00-3:30pm.

Back to Balance
Because it’s easy on the joints, SUP is a great fitness activity for older adults–and our Back to Balance clinic is the perfect thing to get you prepped. Desgined for ages 65 and up, it includes midsection strengthening exercises, balance challenges and functional mobility under the guidance of Physical Therapist Jill Pardini Morse. Final session for our June Clinic is Wednesday, July 1, from 1 to 1:50pm! Drop in for just $20! Starting July 8, we will be offering another 4-class series ($60 for members, $80 for non-members) on Wednesdays from 10:00-10:55am. Click HERE for details and to sign up. 

In addition, yoga, Pilates and Pilates Mat are incredible workouts for developing the core strength, balance and flexibility needed for SUP. Check out our online schedule to find a class time, or click HERE to sign up for a Pilates Wall clinic. 

Once you’re ready to give SUP a go, head up to Redfish Lake Lodge (208-774-3536), where you can rent a board for $15 an hour. Backwoods Mountain Sports (208-726-8818) also has boards to rent or purchase if you want to try spots such as Alturus or Petit.

Finally, Sawtooth Adventure Company (208-774-4644) offers a variety of river and flat-water SUP rentals in the Stanley area, as well as a 3- to 5-hour SUP adventure on the Salmon River. which includes instruction on balance, stroke technique and basic hydrology. Check out their blog for more information. 

Photo courtesy of Sawtooth Adventure Company.