What’s SUP on the Lake?

Maybe you’ve been hearing about Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) a fast-growing water sport worldwide, and a growing recreation on Arkansas waters? Here’s your chance to check it out – SUP Outfitters located on Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs will have a ribbon cutting to celebrate its new business from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 at Starkey Marina.

There will be refreshments and door prizes. Bring your shorts and swimsuits to the event if you’d like to participate in standup paddle boarding. SUP Outfitters is the standup paddle boarding resource for northwest Arkansas. They offer lessons, eco tours, and board rentals.

SUP Outfitters is owned by Melody Elliott, one cool woman, who has lived all over the world, including Hawaii, and is excited to bring the SUP experience to this area. According to Melody, “The Waikiki boys began using outrigger canoe paddles with surfboards in the 1960′s, as a way to keep an eye on tourists and to get better pictures as beginners made their first attempts at surfing the waves.

“SUP is a surface water sport where the surfer uses a paddle to move through the water while standing on a surfboard. Standup paddle boards are basically extra-long and buoyant surfboards.

“Standup paddle boarding is frequently called SUP and is an ideal sport to learn on flat bodies of water and provides the sensation of walking on water. The main difference between surfing and SUPing is that the paddler doesn’t need a wave. A standup paddler can quickly and easily travel across open waters and rivers.”

Give SUP Outfitters a call this summer and rent a board for some fun in the sun and on the water.