With fall quickly approaching, we’re making the most of the warm weather that’s left by spending it out on the water. One of our favorite water activities — stand-up paddleboarding (aka: SUP) — combines a little bit of exercise with a whole lot of stunning views.

We recently met up with Sam Briley from Gear Up for Adventures to get a quick refresher + spend the morning on Lake Johnson.

🏄‍♀️ Where to paddle in Raleigh:
Raleigh has 10+ lakes that are great for spending the day on the water + Sam recommends checking out Lake Crabtree, Lake Wheeler, and Lake Johnson. Did you know Lake Wheeler spans more than 600 acres?

🏄‍♀️ About the board:
Sam started the lesson with a short rundown on different parts of the stand-up paddleboard. There’s the deck (the top of the board), fin (the fin-shaped piece on the bottom of the board), nose (front end of the board), tail (back end of the board) + leash (the accessory used to keep the rider attached to the board).

We used inflatable boards, but there are various styles — including foam boards and hard boards. You can rent a board from places like Gear Up and Wake Rack or purchase one online from sites like Facebook Marketplace.

🏄‍♀️ Ready to #TryThis?
There are a few local companies that offer classes if you’re ready to hop on a board. Gear Up for Adventures, Holon Raleigh, and LYF Sup have different ways for you to learn + start paddling.

ProTip: Check the wind before heading out. If the wind index exceeds 10 knots, Sam recommends rescheduling.

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