TECHNIQUE
NEW HORIZONS. PHOTO: PETER HOLCOMBE
Self SUPport A GET-OUT-THERE GUIDE TO OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES
Standup paddleboards may not be the obvious backcountry craft for paddlers who typically use them for lake paddling, yoga or surfing ocean swell. Taking a paddleboard on over- night adventures can be a great way to travel lakes and scenic stretches of river you might never consider running in a raft or kayak.
Somewhere between bringing the kitchen sink on a tradition-
al raft trip, and sawing off the handle of your toothbrush for a minimalist kayak expedition, lies the art of self-SUPport. Here’s how to plan and pack for your first backcountry board trip:
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
A 20- to 30-mile stretch of easy flowing river with class I to II swifts is ideal for an overnight or weekend trip. A SUP travels faster than a raft, but slower than a kayak, so plan your mileage accordingly. Assess your speed by loading up your board with overnight equipment and taking it for a test spin at a lake or local river before committing to a multi-day trip.
THE PERFECT PADDLEBOARD
Choose a large board so you have room to store your gear. Paddleboards built for fishing are great overnight options since they tend to be spacious and stable in moving water. A board with multiple tie-down points is critical for strapping
all your gear down tightly. I use extra cam straps to fit around bulky dry bags, instead of just relying on the short straps that came with my board.
36 PADDLEBOARDING || Annual 2015 THE ESSENTIALS, AND THEN SOME
If you have basic backpacking gear, you’re almost ready to go. Depending on the season, you should take a light sleeping bag, a small sleeping pad and a lightweight three-season tent. I stow all of this on the bow of the SUP along with my clothes and hiking shoes in a secured dry bag. I strap a smaller dry bag to the stern with a small backpack-
ing stove, a pot and other cooking accessories, along with the majority of my food. A lightweight grill and collapsible fire pan get tied underneath this stern bag. My favorite luxury item is a small, portable cooler filled with steaks, beer and more—find one that fits your board and has the capacity to carry enough provisions for your trip. A strapped-down cooler also doubles as a seat when you need a break from standing. Comfy shoes are essential for long periods of standing, and PFDs with generous pockets will allow you to keep snacks and a GPS handy. I always wear a helmet in rapids but bring a big straw sun hat for the flat stretches in between.
STRIKE A BALANCE
Before launching, take time to strap everything down and balance out the board. Strive for equal weigh distribution from front to back and side to side. As days go by, you’ll need to adjust where you pack things as the weight of your food bag decreases. Once I ironed out a packing system, it only took me 10 min-
utes to load and unload each time. Writer and photographer Peter Holcombe is a contributor to Rapid magazine.
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