This is Lars from Main Beach Surf Shop in Wainscott. It is that time of year when the East End lights up with so many possibilities. When the first warm days start to hit you feel your whole being waking up to nature. My biggest challenge is to balance the busy beginning of the season with so many distractions. My favorite spring time activity along with surfing is stand-up paddling. I discovered this new sport about 2 yrs. ago after watching a few guys do it in Hawaii. I had a board shaped by a local shaper with the dimensions I thought would be good for going long distance and for riding waves around Long Island. The rest is history. My favorite 3 paddles are:
1. From Ditch plains in Montauk you paddle East with the incoming tide preferably around the Montauk Light House . With a small or moderate east swell running you can catch waves the entire way. The longest rides are from the Light house past the Montauk concession stand on the North side of Montauk. My second favorite is from Gerard Drive in the Springs to Gardiner’s Island following Cartwright shoals to the East and around the back side of the Island. This is like taking a trip back in time.
Then there is the circumnavigation around Shelter Island following the tidal currents the whole way. These paddles are rich with wildlife diversity and paddling variety.
Stand –up paddling is very easy to learn. Essentially anyone can do it. You are supported in the standing position by a very large surf board that looks more like a windsurfer than a surf board. The width is approximately 28-30 inches wide and from 10-11’ depending on your weight. It is best to start out on flat water . The paddle is about 6-7 “ over your head high and resembles a long handle canoe paddle. Paddling on each side of the board with short strokes from the nose to the middle of the board where you stand is amazingly efficient way to tour around and get the best views of your surroundings. You move through the water with about as much efficiency as a kayak as long as the wind is light or at your back. Catching waves is a whole other sport and super fun because of the ease of getting into the wave. You can paddle to prefect set-ups where no one is out and have the time of your life riding your own private breaks. Rides are usually 3-4 times as long as on a conventional surf boards because of the glide and length of board. You do use a leash at all times for safety.
Main Beach Surf and Sport offers a Free Paddle every Sunday leaving from the Pavillion at Main Beach in East Hampton. Paddle goes off at 8am-about 10am. All paddlers are welcome: stand-up,prone, kayak,surf ski etc. It’s a blast this time of year !! Empty Beaches!!
At Main Beach Surf and Sport we have brought in about 100 of these stand-up paddle boards this Spring as the popularity of this new water sport is really taking off. The sport actually has its roots in Hawaii and ancient Polynesia dating back 100’s of years. Now it is sweeping from West to East and spreading rapidly across the Globe in all coastal areas including Mt. lakes , back bays, rivers, and Oceans! You can stop by any time at the shop for a free demo or a rental. Lessons are available daily.
Happy surfing and Stand-paddling this season!
Lars Svanberg
www.MainBeach.com
631-537-2716
