Summer of SUP: Stand-up Paddling around Anchorage

sunset paddle - Mirror Lake, Alaska

Stand-up-Paddleboarding has really picked up in southcentral Alaska in the last few years, and it's easy to see why. With lakes everywhere and glacier/ocean SUP adventures beckoning just a few short hours from Anchorage (or even closer if you're willing to try the bore tide!) - the Anchorage area has an amazingly enticing combination for the outdoor water-sport enthusiast. 

While I would honestly just prefer to surf, I got into stand up paddle-boarding this summer while on vacation in Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Colombia. 

(photos to come...)

Realistically, I knew I wasn't going to get a lot of ocean trips in this summer, but I purchased a board in June and have been pleasantly surprised with how much use it's gotten. Not only is it a great workout, but it's also a really cool way to see the beauty of Alaska from a new angle. I purchased a 2012 Boardworks Raven 10'6'' and have been really happy with it. Nice lightweight board, high off the water, super fast and efficient.

I've mainly done touring around lakes- there are many options that work for a quick after-work paddle in the Anchorage area.  Below is a list of spots I've scoped out- sucessfully or unsuccessfully- and a little rating system (0-10 scale, 10 being best/highest) I've devised based on my experiences :-) 

In Anchorage:

1) Taku Lake- 4/10; small but easy access spot near Dimond area, LuLu Lemon hosts a Tuesday night SUP yoga class which is supposed to be awesome.

2) Little Campbell Lake (Kinkaid)- 5/10; about a quarter mile across, simple access.

3) Jewel Lake- 3/10; small and crowded, watch out for pipes!

4) Campbell Lake- Unable to put in here, as it is a private residential lake. Must befriend someone there soon.

5) Sand Lake- 5/10; Snuck onto this lake off someone's dock.  Has a few cool side waterways that made me feel like I was in an Alaska version of Venice, Italy.

Just outside of Anchorage:

1) Eklutna Lake- 8/10; great spot as long as it's not too windy, gorgeous 360 degree views, public use cabins available for weekend trip

2) Portage Lake- 8/10; weather can get socked in here, but nonetheless it's an awesome spot with icebergs and a relatively short paddle to the glacier

3) Wasilla Lake- 6.5/10; lots of boat traffic but good sized lake

4) Mirror Lake- 7/10; aside from the occasional float plane take-off and its mediocre size, this spot is wonderful, especially for sunset

5) Reflections Lake (between Eklutna and Wasilla-Palmer junction)- 5/10; beautiful views but pretty small

On the list, but haven't tried yet:

Ocean SUP out of Whittier, Seward, Homer; bore tide; Delong Lake, Nancy Lake, Tanaina lake canoe trail, South Rolly Lake, Red shirt Lake, Benka Lake, Tigger Lake, XY Lakes, Skilak Lake

I still have a long way to go in my exploration - Please comment/add to the list if you've found any other spots worth noting! 

Happy Paddling!

Jennah cruising around Wasilla Lake

after-work quickie @ Jewel Lake

Jumping around - Wasilla Lake

Sunset paddle at Sand Lake

view of Anchorage's front range from Sand Lake

Jennah @ Taku Lake

 Paddleworks Raven 10'6'' - great touring board

residential SUP - Sand Lake

sun setting at Sand Lake

with Jennah (left), one of the friends who convinced me to get into SUP