Stand up paddle boarding could help beat the heat

With high temperatures expected for the weekend, some people might choose to lounge out on the lake rather than inside an air-conditioned home.

Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for many areas of the province. Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 38 C — about 100 Fahrenheit — in Regina on Saturday.

One activity gaining popularity on hot summer days and evenings is stand up paddle boarding.

The large board, which is about 11 feet long and 32 inches wide, gives people a chance to spend the day on the water.

“I think any activity that you’re outside is a ton of fun, the advantage of stand up paddle boarding is you get to be out on the water, you get a different perspective,” said Chris Bailey, co-owner of Queen City SUP (Stand Up and Paddle).

The shop was started in 2014 and provides people with lessons and paddleboard rentals for people wanting to give it a try.

If lounging around isn’t active enough for you, Bailey said you can also chase around your friends on boards or even do yoga on the stand up paddle board.

He said it’s a fairly simple activity for people to get involved in depending on how comfortable they are out on the water.

“Most people within a few hours get pretty comfortable and are looking pretty smooth out there,” Bailey said. “As long as you can stand up, as long as you can have a smile on your face, it’s for everybody.”

Due to the size of the board, people can bring along camping gear, a packed lunch or even their dogs for a paddle out on the water.

“Head out to the beach and paddle out to the middle, go for a little dip, hop back on and enjoy it for sure, any time you can be outside and certainly on the water gives you an opportunity to cool down real quick and easy.”

Regina residents or visitors can check out stand up paddleboarding right on Wascana Lake, with equipment rentals and even yoga classes available.