Arcturus Retreat Conversations: SUP in Davis Bay

The sun returned and it was finally warm enough to really get outside. I took advantage of the blue skies and celebrated some WOW - Wednesdays on Water with my friend and guide Sarah at Alpha Adventures. This was my first time out on the water this year...it finally felt warm enough.

It was high tide and the water was so smooth. Hard to believe this is the ocean, sometimes. A quick reminder of some basics from Sarah and I was off. This was only my 3rd time paddle boarding and the first time out since last fall. Yes, just like riding a bike, it all comes back. In no time I was up on the board and cruising down the beach.

Davis Bay w/ Vancouver Island in the background

WOW takes place every Wednesday. It's a social paddle...anyone can join and its about practicing skills, making friends and having fun. My fellow WOW group members were all from out of town. John is visiting from the other Sunshine Coast in Australia. He chose the wet suit because we don't have the tropical waters from Down Under, but he was sweating up a storm after the good workout that paddling provides. I was happy to not have 'taken a swim'...a.k.a. falling in. Every once in a while a wave would run across the top of my board and my feet and remind me that the water is still cool. Two sisters from Canmore Alberta were in town for BC Bike Race (more about that tomorrow) and decided to have a little ocean adventure.

So much fun. You know how the sun shines and creates a trail over the water as it gets lower in the sky? I just let myself line up with that trail and paddled along. Not a care in the world...just me and the ocean. It's a real sense of freedom. When I looked back toward the beach, I couldn't believe how far from shore I had gone.

These shots are from the beach after a good workout. I can really feel my abs tonight! A couple days of rest and then I hope to be back on the water for Sunday's 2nd annual SUP Festival in Porpoise Bay. Come out and try paddle boarding for yourself!