Author: Warren Currie

We are once again hosting our Stand Up Paddleboard River Trek.

Sunday, July 27, 2014. 

This is a casual paddle down the North Saskatchewan River from Devon to Laurier Park.
The total distance is approximately 34 km and the trek will take between 4 and 5 hours.

We will stop twice on the route for snack and drink breaks.
It is strongly suggested that you carry food and drink with you (there are no 7-11’s on the river).
We do have SUP specific “camel backs” in stock.
Leashes and whistles are mandatory for all.

We will offer a shuttle service (for you and your board) from Laurier Park in Edmonton (Story Land Valley Zoo) out to Devon.
The Shuttle cost is $20. per person / board.

You MUST pre register by July 18 if you want the shuttle service.   Registration is done in person, at the store. 

While this is a casual event – it is NOT a “float” – you will need to paddle the entire way.

Call the store for more details.  780-413-4554

New people that are looking to get into the sport of SUP sometimes think that it is “really expensive”.
While the initial cost to buy a good quality board and paddle might seem high – it is a relatively cheap sport to take part in.

A good quality Stand Up Paddle board is around $1500. to $2000., a good quality paddle is approximately $250. to $350.  The only other item you need is a leash and those are $39.  So for around $2000. you are completely set up and ready to go . . . forever.   SUP board will not “wear out” and if you take care of it a good quality board will last a lifetime.
Once you have your SUP equipment – there are no morse costs involved.

Lets compare SUP to a few other sports.

Golf – a comparable quality set of clubs is around $1500.  The “expensive” part of golf is that it is between $50. and $150. every time you want to play.

Wakeboarding / wakesurfing / waterskiing / – a similar quality water toy is around $750.  Then you have to not only own a boat – $20,000. to $120,000., you also have to put gas in it every time you use it.

Even snowboarding (our favorite winter sport) is way more expensive than SUP.  A decent quality snowboard set up is around $1000., plus you need jacket, pants, gloves, goggles, helmet, etc for another $500. minimum.  And like Golf – you have to pay to play with lift tickets in the mountains being at least $75. per day.

So even though SUP may look like an expensive sport – it is no different (and actually cheaper in most cases) than many other sports.

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at The Easy Rider.

Easy Rider is super stoked to be bringing you our 2nd Annual ”Battle of the Paddle” style Stand Up Paddleboard race.
It will be on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Telford Lake in Leduc.

The race will involve a water start – turns around multiple buoys, and are multiple laps in length.
We will be having 4 events:
– An Open category race for all ages and abilities – that will be 2 laps.
– A Kids Race (12 & Under) that will be 1 lap of a shortened course.
– And an Elite Race that will be 4 laps in length.

– PLUS – we will also be hosting the Starboard Sprint Challenge.
This will be a Straight line 200 meter race on the Starboard Unlimited Sprint 17’6″ x 23″ race board. 
Boards will be provided.

Entry is $25. per person,  per event and will include an event T-Shirt and entry into the draw prizes.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at The Easy Rider.

Race day registration will be from 9:30 AM until 10:00 AM - PLEASE register in the store if you can – to make it easier on us to plan the event.
The Open Race will start at 10:30 AM and will be approximately 3 km.
The Kids Race will follow – and the Elite Race will be after the  Kids race.

The Starboard Sprint Challenge will take place after all the course racing is done.

Classes for the Battle of Lake Telford  races are as follows:
Surfboard – typical surfboard shape board – any length.
Inflatable – any inflatable SUP – any length.
Stock Race board – any “pointy” style race or touring board – 12’6″ and under.
Open Race board – any “pointy” style race or touring board – over 12’6″ in length.

Hope to see you at the Races!