Summertime at the lake. I was born and raised an ocean girl, 52 years living in South Florida playing in the Atlantic. The first few decades I resided in Oregon had me exploring mountain trails in a land-based plethora of fun. Then in 2006 I had the chance to paddle on a stand up paddleboard – tentative at first but HOOKED!
Over the next years there was barely a pocket of water – lake, river, stream or creek – that I didn’t paddle. My favorite spots were even more wonderful when the wind was light and the water glassy. The next eye-opener for fun was a wild 20-30+ mph downwind run on the Columbia River. Wind was suddenly my paddling friend! From there it wasn’t long before wind, waves and the North Shore of Maui beckoned me to explore the run from Maliko Gorge to Kanaha Beach Park, a gnarly 8 mile downwind adventure.
But there were still those exquisitely glassy paddles when clear alpine lake water or early morning dawn patrol paddles to love. In fact, when I would get to my favorite lakes and discover that the wind was already gusting, swirled by the mountains’ impact on air currents I would not be so thrilled. Then last summer I got the “golden ticket!” For my 73rd birthday in June 2022 I was thrilled to get the Starboard 4-in-1 10’4″ inflatable and a quiver of three Starboard AirRush V2 FreeWings. YES! I began to seek out the afternoon winds!
Over the winter exploring Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and other Florida waterways I had an exhilarating great time! My new routine is to head to the water with my 12’6″ Starboard Zen Inflatable Touring board while the wind has not yet picked up. Little by little as the day wears on – the wind usually becomes wonderful. Winging has given me ….. well, WINGS!!!!!
Summer is short here in Central Oregon. Every available opportunity to get on the water bare foot and warm is treasured. And now, wind or no wind, I am an extremely happy water woman.
