Stand-up paddleboarding finds its feet in Yukon

More people are trying stand-up paddleboarding in the Yukon than ever before, according to an entrepreneur in Whitehorse. 

Stuart Knaack started offering rentals, lessons and guided river trips last summer when he launched Stand Up Paddleboard Yukon. He says business is busier this summer.

The sport combines aspects of canoeing and surfing. Paddlers stand on a long board and use a long paddle to propel themselves. Knaack thinks will it continue to grow, thanks to its versatility. 

"With the Yukon we have so much access to every type of waterway you can think of — from lakes, rivers to oceans through Alaska — that we really have the option to try it all out," he said. 

Stay dry

Knaack says Yukon is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding because of the access to water — and says doesn't think the climate is too cold. 

"Obviously, it's always nice to go out when it's 30 C but you can still go out and enjoy it, you know when it's 15 C or 10  C — or even in the negatives if you really want to," he said. "The only time you really fall in the water is if you want to go in the water. If you start trying something new or having fun, that's when you're going to swim."

Knaack said paddleboard yoga and fitness classes are new this year. Michelle Eshpeter teaches yoga. 

"You don't have to do really advanced postures on the paddleboard in order to get an excellent workout," Eshpeter said, adding people don't fall in often, but it does happen.