Opening Up with the Stand Up Paddle Open

We were proud to join so many active paddlers at the first ever LakeSUP.com Stand Up Paddle Open, supported by Athleta on July 31st!

It was one of those balmy, calm, Minnesota, end-of-July mornings. By daybreak the thermometer was well on its way to a goal of 90, and the air conditioner was starting to purr like a kitten, begging most of the state to stay indoors. A perfect day to head outdoors for our first LakeSUP.com Stand Up Paddle Open.

While the sport of Stand Up Paddle is growing worldwide, it’s just a few years off its feet in Minnesota. Nonetheless, we’ve paddled with enough friends and enthusiasts and knew we had to finally host an event.

A Le Mans style start splashed off the race as everyone sprinted into the water to race two miles across and back Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. By 10:15 am, we were paddling with a great group of paddlers from all over the region; men, women and kids. It was an absolute thrill to glide across the Minneapolis Chain of Lake, everyone with a common interest in athletics, water and the great outdoors.

The easy-going glide went under five bridges, through channels zig-zagging around kayaks and canoes. It’s an inner city lake, peppered with small sailboats, canoes, kayaks and windsurfers. But today, athletes dominated the waters in a co-ed lake crossing sprint. First timers and experienced surf enthusiasts energetically chatted about their stand up paddling or water sports experiences. David and Cherie, two inspiring parents, have traversed dozens of hidden Midwestern lakes and rivers riding tandem with their kids. Two women ski instructors were taking a mid-summer break with paddles in their hands instead of ski poles. There were even a handful of Lake Superior Surf Club members on hand. These brave souls sometimes surf the ice-capped waters of the Great Lakes in below zero temperatures covered from head to toe in thick wetsuits.

The round trip finished at the beach where in-line skaters, bikers, and joggers asked questions about the boards, and we re-hydrated as a few more paddlers checked in for the competitive race. Ryan Patin of Stillwater, Minnesota thundered across as the first guy, and just four places later sprinted Cherie Englund of Oakdale, Minnesota as first place woman. (Smoking a few of the men along the way.)

Me? I was very proudly and purposely bringing up the rear of the pack, along with my VERY determined nine-year-old daughter who insisted on racing with the big dogs. She did great, and I was beaming to be with so many outgoing women, including McKayla. And a number of us gals proved that lightweight Athleta wear plays and performs in style, like us! We concluded the day with lots of fun prizes including Athleta gift cards, some T-shirts, and BBQ’ing right on the boards. The day was a pleasant reminder to search out both new activities, and new friends. Even my seven-year-old picked up the sport that day as bunch of us just playfully freestyled in the water after the race.

We were thankful for all the participants who adjusted their summer weekend to come out and play. And it was fun to slap Athleta stickers and tattoos on a few enthusiasts along the way. We hope to see more friends on the waters again soon. It was also a reminder just how many of us are open to trying new things, open to meeting new fascinating people, and how it can be done in just one day if you’re open to it.

TARA KROLCZYK is a dance, yoga and Pilates instructor who has trained with some of the most reputable professionals and dance companies, including: Mikhail Baryshnikov, River North Dance Company, Gus Giordano’s Dance Company in Chicago, and several others… {more}