Stand Up Paddleboarding is now one of the most popular outdoor activities for summer time! The relaxing feeling of paddling atop the water and the free ability to sit, stand, or even handstand if you want to, have made SUPs a very popular item. SUPs may seem like a pretty new item, but did you know that they have a 3,000 year history? SUPs were originally used by Ancient Peruvians for hunting. Their SUPs were made of reeds and their paddles were bamboo. They would straddle the reed floats like many people use them to this day. They would go fishing and were actually said to have ridden the waves back into shore like modern day surfers. Turns out SUPs and Surfboards have been fun for us humans for thousands of years!

For more historical fun visit: https://hawaiianpaddlesports.com/news/history-of-stand-up-paddling/

A popular Vashon Adventures kayaking route is up the west side of the island through the Colvos Passage. Departing from Lisabuela Park and covering roughly 8.5 miles north to the Vashon Ferry Dock, it is a great trip for those looking for a little more adventure. A variety of sea mammals have been observed including orcas, sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor porpoise, river otters and seals. On this trip for 6 guests, we had a huge male California Sea Lion rise just feet from the boats before this lunch stop at Fern Cove. What a Day!

Colvos Passage notes:

1. The name Colvos was selected by Captain Charles Wilkes in 1841 during the United States Exploring Expedition to honor George Colvocoresses, a midshipman for the expedition.

2. The house at Fern Cove once belonged to Dr. Belle Baldwin, who became the first woman physician in the state in 1912.

What’s SUP? (Dog)

Getting Wild on the West Side