Welcome to the Vancouver Forum -- Photos Only (Pacific: trees, waterfall)

[elkotronics]

Derek - is it pretty easy ta keep your balance on that waveboard? Looks like that would be a ball!

[Mossa]

And is there anything dangerous in that water if you let’s say fall in?

[Mossa]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

BTW, I don't want this to be the only one posting pics. C'mon guys, post some. They don't have to all be epic, just something you find interesting.

Derek

Ok, I’ll play. I find PNW slugs interesting. They are ginormous and beautiful.

[cyberous]

Downtown Waterfront 9/26/2019

[notnamed]

Originally Posted by Mossa

And is there anything dangerous in that water if you let’s say fall in?

The oft reported blue-green algae in the lakes around here isn't something you want to mess with.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

Derek - is it pretty easy ta keep your balance on that waveboard? Looks like that would be a ball!

Generally speaking, yes, paddleboarding is pretty easy compared to most other sports, especially board sports. Its much easier than surfing, wake boarding, snowboarding, skateboarding, etc... One of our 70 year old relatives tried it and got the hang of it pretty quickly. She was athletic growing up. Whereas her son just couldn't get it. Although he is very out of shape/overweight. So that was a bit humbling for him when old ma could do it and he couldn't.

If you get a typically larger rental board they are very stable. I joke about this comparing it to getting up off the ground on a aircraft carrier. Some of these boards are so stable folks do yoga on them.

But some people have unusually poor balance or get very nervous on any type of surface other that way are not used to. So like anything sports related, ymmv.














Regarding anything dangerous, I am used to surfing/SUP'ing in the cold ocean where there are great white sharks, sting rays, whales, jelly fish and other sea creatures along with waves, strong currents and rocks. So for me it does not seem that dangerous. But that being said, you can never take a large body of moving water for granted. I think the biggest risk has more to do with the speed of the current at certain times of the year and the temperature of the water when it gets colder. There are times when it is as gentle as a swimming pool and almost as warm in the summer months. So it depends on the overall conditions for a given location and season.

Derek

[Mossa]

Thank you, notnamed & MtnSurfer. It's probably way easier to start/learn on a lake or a river than in the ocean. Where is this nice sandy beach? Can you get there only by water?

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Mossa

Thank you, notnamed & MtnSurfer. It's probably way easier to start/learn on a lake or a river than in the ocean. Where is this nice sandy beach? Can you get there only by water?

Cottonwood Beach in Washougal is the best local sandy beach. Its on the Columbia River and easy to get to with free parking and very popular on sunny days.







The best place to learn by far is Lacamas Lake where they also have paddleboard rentals during summer. Its normally very calm and beautiful. Though there is no beach. So I think Cottonwood Beach is another great location especially if you have kids that want to play in the sand and water along with a dog that likes to jump around.









Derek

[MtnSurfer]

Btw, in answer to how easy paddleboarding is, ask yourself if this could be you, perhaps?



Derek

[MtnSurfer]

Here are some fall color photos from yesterday in the west hills of Portland in Washington Park's Hoyt Arboretum. This place is a must visit during fall colors.


















Derek