Have you ever pictured yourself paddling on a river, not with a kayak but instead on top of a Stand Up Paddle board? A lot of people think about paddling on the sea or maybe do SUP on a lake, but we are telling you that it can also be done on a river. It's a complete change of scenery, vegetation, flora and wildlife that will let you enjoy this sport under a different light.
SUP can be practiced in many locations, even if there's no ocean around. In this post we will focus on how to practice Stand Up Paddle on rivers, be it a round trip or a downriver rafting session.
At this point, we would like to point out the two different river SUP categories, which will depend on the type of river we will be paddling in:
SUP in Flatwater Rivers with low tide, these are the perfect setting for group tours in order to enjoy long and calmed paddling sessions without worrying about a rider's skill level. You can either do a round trip to a fixed point or just a one-way trip.- SUP in Fast-flowing rivers with strong tidal current, known as rapids and frequented by kayak and boat rafters, more and more Stand Up Paddle riders are daring to rider their boards. It's important to mention that these mode requires complete mastery of your SUP, so it's only recommended for expert riders and even then, only after following all the safety measures and having a clearly marked departure and arrival point. It is important to have people nearby to act as support or assitance in case of accidents or just to make it easier to reach the departure point and to get out of the water at the arrival area. Plus, they can always take cool pictures of us!
Each style has its own distinctive features and in this post we will try to provide a general overview in order to get ready for our first SUP paddling session on a river. We will provide a recommended gear list, necessary permits and insurances for practicing River SUP in Spain, as well as additional tips for finding suitable locations.
One very important thing when it comes to River SUP is that there should always be flow and enough water depth to comfortably set our boards. Some rivers have plenty of water all year round, while others depend on the amount of rain in the region, so the perfect season to do it would be spring.
Gear for River SUP
If you are thinking about paddling on a river, you need to pay special attention to your gear. It is generally recommended to use an Inflatable Stand Up Board and a Paddle with plastic blades or one that has a SUP Paddle edge guard in order to protect your equipment from unexpected impacts.It is important to note that in a river you will find rocks, different depths, logs lodged on the bottom and tidal changes that make it easier to fall off from our board and impact it against the shore or a nearby rock. That's why is advisable to use Inflatable SUP boards. On the blog post about RedPaddle Co's 2013 boards. we provide a chart where you will see the best models for River SUP. Ideally we will be using Inflatable All Round models from any reputable company that offers these types of Inflatable SUP boards, such as Starboard, Fanatic SUP and, of course, RedPaddle Co.
Let's talk a bit about paddles, the best choice would be to use a paddle with a plastic blade and a carbon, reinforced fiber or resistant aluminum shaft. Most people will hover towards a 2 or 3-piece adjustable paddle, as they make transportation easier. The buoyancy of the paddle is important, specially aluminum ones, as losing the paddle on a fast flowing river or at the farthest point of our voyage can turn a leisure paddling session into an odissey.
A great option are the Enduro Tufskin adjustable paddles and Enduro Hybrid Starboard paddles because of their rigidity and durability, as well as RedPaddle Co adjustable SUP Paddles and B3 models with rubber reinforcements around the blade's edges that will provide protection from unexpected impacts against hard surfaces such as rocks, logs or the river bottom. In case you don't have any of those models, try to get a good edge guard for your paddle's blade.
Neoprene footwear with tough soles are always a good idea. They can be either booties or even waterproof sneakers for those sections where we will have to walk around the shore or the river bed. Most rivers have murky waters and it can be hard to know where exactly are we gonna step. It's also good to dress accordingly, with a long or short wetsuit, depending on the river-type, season and water temperature.
Using a Leash or any kind of device to keep the board near us at all times is recommended. If you are planning on doing a long session, it is advisable to bring a backpack with some food and water; there are waterproof backpacks that will do the job just fine while keeping our items safe from water. Always carry with you a fully charged phone inside a waterproof bag or waterproof bag.
Advanced Gear and ultimate safety recommendation
If you are thinking about paddling on a fast-flowing river or whitewater rafting, it is important to use an impact vest which will protect us from possible impacts to our body and keep us afloat in case we fall off the board. It is also advisable to use a helmet that protects your head. Remember that you are in danger of hitting your head against a rock or tree at all times, rafting can be very fun as long as you take the necessary precautions.River SUP Route Planning
Nowadays, we can make use of the wealth of information available on internet and to check through satelite images our predicted route. We recommned using rafting blogs and webpsages for information on previously set routes, location info, access points and difficulty level.When it comes to picking a route, you need to choose an option that matches your skill level. At first, stick with the easy routes and then gradually work your way up. You can also use Google Maps or Google Earth for planning your River SUP route. Once you have defined a schedule, it's good practice to check the departure and arrival points before going into the water. Remember that if the route is long, it should include a rest point.
Check the weather forecast and plan with it in mind. Remember that the river might be different depending on whether it has rained lately of it the water level is low.
Always paddle in groups
When paddling downriver or doing a river Paddle Surf tour, you should never go on your own. Look for a group of people that can paddle alongside you, it doesn't have to be a huge crowd, a 2 or 3 person group will be more than enough. Don't stop or go into rest areas where you are outside of the range of view from the shore, always notify your backup crew when you stop.We would like to mention once again the importance of having a fully charged phone with us at all times. Carry it either in a waterproof backpack or bag to avoid getting it wet and letting you use it for those moments you really need it. If you have a Smartphone, you can use the GPS function, tracking apps or listen to music to make the session even better!
Everything's ready to go, except for permits and additional health care
Each location is different and many river routes are actually inside national parks or protected wildlife zones. Check carefully the required permits and fees, if any. That way you will avoid problems with the local authorities.Most of the times, permits will require that we purchase additional insurance for at least one member of the group. If you are part of a paddling club, some times the club will take care of the required paperwork so you just have to worry about paddling.
If there's a rafting club near your location, it is advisable to go and ask them for information. We are sure they can provide a lot of tips and advice, as well as data on any routes you wish to tour.
The main advantage of River SUP over the ocean is that the water is usully a lot calmer, there's more variety to the scenery, such as going through trees and vegetation and even having close contact with the local flora and fauna. Or it can an adrenaline-fueled experience, going down the rapids!
Share with us any River SUP experience you have had in order to encourage other riders to try it out. Or if you have any questions, we will be happy to help you out and provide more in-depth information on River SUP, just send us an email or write in the comments section.
KeepSUPing!