The Beginning of Lots of Exciting Adventures

Exploring a lake on a paddle board

During the last few years, I discovered a new sport that became my new passion. Stand up paddle boarding. I tried it out on the rough ocean of Namibia and explored later Thailand’s islands with it.

Moving around a lot and not having a home, made it difficult to turn this passion into a regular sport I would pursue. A lot of research convinced me finally to get myself an inflatable stand up paddle board (SUP) that would be compatible with my lifestyle.

An inflatable SUP is easily pumped up and folds back down into a backpack which you can check in as luggage when flying. Perfect for my needs. Just choosing the one I think was best for me took me over a year.

The day

After a lot of research, I finally decided on a board and pressed “order now”. After arriving at my parents' place I couldn’t do much with it. A backpack with a wrapped up board.

The next step was going to be to test it. Yes I know it’s late November and already pretty cold. We’re in lockdown in Germany and only allowed to go outside to do exercise. Luckily paddle boarding is a ton of exercise.

So let’s do this today. The sun is shining and we found a lake where we can easily enter the water. Hopefully, I can jump on the board from shore so that I don’t need to get my feet into the cold water.

The preparation

My partner tried it a few times but it wasn’t for him. Paddle boarding. He much rather rents a kayak and floats next to me across the water. So it was rather obvious he would also need to get something for us to go on adventures together.

A bit more research and some frustrating days later we had his package in our room. An inflatable kayak. With both of us sorted now the challenge was to set them up ready for use.

The SUP is rather simple to set up, you just have to pump it up to 15psi. I know that sounds a lot but that is how they become strong and feel like a hard one eventually.

For the kayak, we had to read the manual but also managed to form it into its shape. In the last step, we put the fins in place and that was it. I packed some swim shorts for me and a wetsuit for my partner. But we both didn’t feel like getting changed in these temperatures.

Getting in the water

Taking off my shoes and socks and rolling up my trousers should be enough for now. I’m confident enough to say I will not tip the board over and stay dry during the excursion.

Two steps in the freezing cold water of the lake and I place my board on the water. Let’s jump on it now. The water should be deep enough. Just hoping no more rocks are sticking out that could scratch the board from underneath.

My partner uses the abandoned pier which isn’t in use due to the lockdown and also sits in his kayak now. Both smiling from one ear to another we start to paddle.

The lake

It is the perfect day. The water is calm. Calmer than this isn’t possible. There is not a single boat in sight that could create some waves. The only waves appearing on the lake are created by ourselves.

A few ducks on the shoreline come out of their hideaway and check out the new visitors. The sun is shining and its reflections on the lake glare in the late afternoon.

The mountains surrounding the lake create a perfect mirror image on the water. The water is almost too flat. Too flat for checking out the abilities of our newly purchased equipment.

Playtime

Now it’s time to play. Even though I’m scared of falling off the board since I’m wearing my normal clothes. I can’t get more than wet I guess. And maybe cold. But that’s not what I am thinking now.

What is on my mind right now is to enjoy the moment. Feel the sunshine on my skin. Admire the sun’s glare on the water. Embracing the feeling of floating on the water. And just living the moment.

We go for speed. We paddle hard to find out how fast our new equipment can go. And we seem happy with the outcome. Even though our arms can’t hold through for long. We’re out of practice. But that will change soon.

Capturing happiness

Some people say these days people don’t enjoy activities anymore. They just do it for the Instagram pictures. I guess that is what you can say about me too. Looking at the pictures I took during the excursion.

But I take pictures for a different reason. I am a travel writer. I write my stories around the photographs I take. Without the pictures I take my stories wouldn’t be alive. I need those captures.

I usually take my GoPro with when I do water sports. A GoPro has many advantages. It can get wet. It’s tiny. It can take videos and photos. And it won’t drown when attached to a floating device.

As a hobby photographer, I simply enjoy capturing the beauty of nature. Which doesn’t mean I enjoy it less. I live the moment twice. Once when I live it and a second time when I go through the photos selecting the ones I keep.

If you would turn your phone around you wouldn’t be able to say what is up or down on this picture. The picture created by the lake as a mirror looks just as real. Only my paddle board at the bottom of the picture is giving it away.

Excitement for more adventures

The paddle board and the kayak passed the first test. Now our excitement won’t be stopped for further adventures across the globe. As long as we find calm waters we will be active.

The only challenge we still have to face is getting the two items deflated again and back into the bags. This is usually the hardest part. But unavoidable. So stay tuned for more exciting stuff!

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel — not a destination”. — Roy M. Goodman