Moraine State Park Archives

I know it is not officially the last day of summer, but labor day sure feels like the last day of summer. I’ve spent the past week trying to check a few more items off my annual summer bucket list.

One of my personal favorite outdoor activities in Western Pennsylvania is stand-up paddleboarding. If you have been wanting to try out this sport, and trust me – it is beginner friendly, this weekend is the perfect weekend.

The weather forecast for labor day weekend is PERFECT – sunny and hot, but not too hot. My favorite paddle boarding outfitter, Surfsup Adventures, is offering a great end of summer discount too – $40 off the normal rate.

Surfsup Adventures & First Waves

When he is not guiding trips at Moraine State Park, Ian Smith is also the founder of the non-profit First Waves that partners with organizations like Big Brothers, Big Sisters to get more kids out on the water to try paddle boarding, learn about conservation and filmmaking. I have volunteered with First Waves in the past and it is an impressive operation. Check out FirstWaves.org for more.

Paddleboard classes focus on fitness (triblive.com)

Ian Smith of SurfSUP Adventures & Micalla Mikus of Freeport Paddleboarding getting ready to race (Photo Credit: Mike Briggs)

A few years ago when my sister was in law school, she spent a summer working in Hawaii. She returned to the east coast with some legal knowledge, a tan and a love of surfboard sports.

I have become a huge fan of kayaking around Pittsburgh – if you haven’t seen Downtown Pittsburgh from a kayak, you are missing out. And I am now an even bigger fan of standup paddleboarding on the three rivers.

Fortunately for me, there are some great people in Pittsburgh who are helping to get more people on the river and I am no longer the only person who drives around town with a surfboard on their car. Over the past year, I’ve spent a bunch of time paddling on the river and lakes of Western PA with Ian Smith of SurfSUP Adventures.

Last summer I was talking with Micalla Mikus, who is the owner of Freeport Paddleboarding Company. Micalla had just returned from competing in a SUP race in Maryland. I’m not a huge fan of running 5ks, but a paddle board race peaked my interest.

Two weeks ago – I participated in my first race at the Brady’s Run Gear and Cheer Festival. Thanks to Micalla and Ian my first race was a success and a ton of fun.

It was a 1 mile race and it took me 16 minutes to paddle the mile, the winner finishing in 9 minutes. If I can paddle a mile, I promise you pretty much anyone can do this. I would love to see more people try paddle boarding and I think this race will be a ton of fun. If you have questions about standup paddleboarding or the race this weekend. Please leave a comment below.

First Annual SUP Race at the Lake Arthur Regatta at Moraine State Park

This weekend is the annual Lake Arthur Regatta – Surfsup Adventures and Freeport Paddleboard Company are hosting a Stand Up Paddleboard race that promises to be a fun time. You don’t need to have a board or any experience to compete.