Peek into Paddleboarding

Looking for new ways to play around the District? Paddleboarding is a great way to get outside, enjoy beautiful views of the city and get moving. As each person stands on their own board, it’s socially distanced in nature. Speaking of nature, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of local flora and fauna as you propel across the DMV on your board. Check out the history of the sport, a guide to gear and where to go in D.C. to paddle. Plus, we spoke to a D.C. denizen who loves paddleboarding to go even more in-depth into the world of the sport.

The Beginnings of Paddleboarding

The origin of paddleboarding, also called stand-up paddleboarding (SUP for short), dates back thousands of years when ancient Peruvian fishermen used boards made of reeds along with paddles to propel themselves out to sea. Modern iterations of the sport were formed in Hawaii, born out of techniques created by three surf instructors in Waikiki. Today, it’s a sport of choice for those living near or visiting major bodies of water around the world, and the D.C. area is no exception.

What You Need to Get Started

Most paddleboards are anywhere from 10 to 11 feet long. You can purchase inflatable versions (great for those on the go or with limited space) or a traditional epoxy paddleboard. There’s also the option to purchase a soft-top paddleboard, which tends to be more affordable and beginner-friendly. Some come with a paddle; in other instances, you may need to purchase one separately. Paddleboards are easily purchased at sporting goods stores like Dick’s and REI Co-op. You can also buy online from places like Overstock. If you want to shop local, stores like Pumped Up SUP in Bethesda, East of Maui in Annapolis and Potomac Paddlesports in Potomac are great places to start and get a personal touch when shopping for a board. East of Maui and Potomac Paddlesports also offer lessons to beginners and seasoned paddleboarders who are looking to improve their skills. Prices for paddleboards, paddles and sets including both vary greatly, from $200 to well over $1,000. If you want to try the sport on for size before you commit to a paddle and board of your own, many places in the area allow you to rent a board.

Where to Paddleboard

Boating in DC offers paddleboard rentals at Fletcher’s Boathouse, Key Bridge Boathouse, Thompson Boat Center and the Wharf Boathouse, all for $22 an hour. There’s currently a one-hour limit for the 2020 season, and hours and availability vary depending on which location you choose. Under normal circumstances, other Boating in DC locations offer paddleboarding, but certain locations remain closed in the wake of Covid-19. To meet others passionate about paddleboarding in D.C., you can find plenty of paddleboarding groups on the popular site Meetup. If you’re looking for competitive options and a place to keep your paddleboard, check out the memberships at Washington Canoe Club. They also offer other watersports, such as marathon canoe and outrigger canoe racing.

We spoke to local paddleboarder, social sculptor and chief creative strategist Philippa Hughes – who runs arts newsletter The Pink Line Project and cultural project Looking For America, among other creative endeavors – about the sport, what ignited her passion for it and how you can try it out, too.

District Fray: What do you do when you aren’t paddleboarding?
Philippa Hughes: I organize cross-political conversations using art as a spark for conversation. I’ve been doing this since just after the 2016 election. It started around my dinner table and then evolved into a national project called Looking For America, in which we curated art exhibits and opportunities to break bread in communities across the country. We asked, “What does it mean to be American in your community?”

How did you first get into paddleboarding? What attracted you to the sport?
I started surfing about 15 years ago when I went to a surf camp in Costa Rica. I try to surf whenever possible at the nearby beaches, but I can’t always get there. So, I took up paddleboarding as a way to satisfy my yearning to be on the water. It’s so easy! I can bike from my house to the boathouse in 20 minutes.

Tell me about the first time you ever paddleboarded.
The first time I ever paddleboarded was when I bought a new board and launched it into the Potomac. Even though I’d never done it before, I figured I’d be okay since I’d been surfing, which is a lot harder.

Where do you paddleboard in the D.C. area?
I keep my board at the Washington Canoe Club, which includes members who participate in all kinds of water sports. We even have Olympic contenders. The members all pitch in to take care of the building and dock. People are always making improvements and cooking out and just hanging out on the dock. It’s pretty amazing. The paddleboarders organize races sometimes to keep things interesting, but it’s all in good fun.

Have you ever gone paddleboarding outside of D.C.?
Yes! I make it a point to paddleboard everywhere I go anywhere near any kind of body of water! I have even paddled in eight countries: BVI [the British Virgin Islands], Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Portugal [and] Tanzania.

What is your best piece of advice for paddleboarding beginners?
[The] main thing is to relax. I find that when people are tense, they seem more wobbly. Also, I recommend watching YouTube videos. I watched a few at the beginning to learn how to stroke more efficiently.

What about advice for someone who is a seasoned paddleboarder like yourself, and wants to improve or learn new skills and techniques?
YouTube videos are really great. Also, there are some master paddlers in the area who race and give great advice if you get to know them, and, every once in a while, they lead workshops. Entering races also motivates you to figure out how to get better. [The] main thing is to practice proper stroke technique. The stroke is the most important thing!

Follow Hughes on Instagram @realpippagrams and learn more about her at www.philippahughes.com. Check out the list below for places to paddle and other resources. Visit websites for openings and availability during Covid-19.

Ballpark Boathouse
Potomac Avenue and First Street in SE, DC
www.boatingindc.com // @boatingindc

Capital SUP
7314 Edgewood Rd. Annapolis, MD
www.capitalsup.com // @capitalsup

East of Maui
2444 Solomons Island Rd. Unit G, Annapolis, MD
www.eastofmauiboardshop.com // @east_of_maui_boardshop

Fletcher’s Boathouse
4940 Canal Rd. NW, DC
www.boatingindc.com // @boatingindc

Key Bridge Boathouse
3500 Water St. NW, DC
www.boatingindc.com // @boatingindc

NoVa and Shenandoah Hiking and Paddling Crew
www.meetup.com/NoVa-Hiking-Paddling-Crew //
@nova.hike.paddle.crew

Paddle Something
www.meetup.com/Paddle-Something

Paddlestroke SUP
www.paddlestrokesup.com // @paddlestrokesup

Potomac Paddlesports
www.potomacpaddlesports.com // @potomacpaddlesports

Potomac River Surf
www.potomacriversup.org

Pumped Up SUP
www.pumpedupsup.com // @pumpedupsup

Sunrise SUP
Pier 7 Marina, 48 South River Rd. Edgewater, MD
www.sunrisesup.com // @sunrise_sup

The Surfrider Foundation // Washington, D.C. Chapter
www.meetup.com/surfriderdc // @surfriderdc

Thompson Boat Center
2900 Virginia Ave. NW, DC
www.boatingindc.com // @boatingindc

Washington Canoe Club
3700 Water St. NW, DC
www.washingtoncanoeclub.org // @washingtoncanoeclub

The Wharf Boathouse
700 Water St. SW, DC
www.boatingindc.com // @boatingindc

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