What is Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)? Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP as it is affectionately called is becoming one of the fastest growing board sports all over the world. The paddle board is anywhere between 9 feet to 13 feet long. All paddle board paddles have a handle, a shaft, and a blade. The paddle is anywhere from 6 inches to 12 inches. A stand up paddle board is used in a similar way to a surfboard. The rider stands up on in the center of the board. The rider puts the blade of the handle in water to move the paddle board. What are the Benefits of a SUP? Paddle boarding uses your entire body and gets you up on your feet. It is beneficial physically and mentally. The physical benefits are fairly obvious, but many overlook the mental benefits it provides. It gets you out of your house and on the water. While the basics of paddle boarding are fairly simple, it can be difficult to become an expert at it. It takes time and practice, but it is worth it. You must first be able to balance yourself on the board, but in doing so, you become aware of your body and your movements. It helps you to slow down and breath. Being able to put yourself in this state of mind helps to elevate your mood, improves your focus and cognitive functioning. What are the Short Term Benefits of SUP? SUP uses your entire body, so you will work your back, core, legs and arms while paddle boarding. This is a low impact workout. That means you will not be doing high intensity exercises such as running or jumping. While you are working hard, this is gentle exercise and you will not be damaging your tendons or ligaments. Some athletes have used paddle boarding to help rehab after injuries. They can continue to work on strength without further damaging themselves. SUP helps you to learn better balance. You have to stabilize yourself on the paddle board using your leg and core muscles. This also helps you to maintain your focus throughout the day. You must also use your arms and shoulders to move the paddle to push the paddle board forward. This increases your heart rate and release nitric oxide. This causes your blood vessels to open more and more oxygen gets to your brain which helps all of your organs function better. What are the Long Term Benefits of SUP? Paddle boarding has many long term benefits, such as being part of a long term weight loss plan. Paddle boarding is exercise and can help burn fat. It will not make you skinny overnight, but when done regularly, it can be a part of a long term weight loss plan. Paddle boarding can help to lower risk of heart attack or stroke. Paddle boarding increases your heart rate and therefore it is similar to other cross training activities but is lower impact on your joints. In addition,  SUP can help improve your endurance. It will improve the endurance of your breathing, as well as your muscles. You will notices you do not become as winded and that your muscles do not get tired as fast. It is also a great way to reduce stress. While on the paddle board, especially if you are a beginner, you must focus on breathing and movement. It encourages you to slow down and take in the peacefulness of your surroundings. Breathing is a great way to push out negative energy and focus on calming energy. Over time, this can help you feel more relaxed and less stressed. In general, paddle boarding is a fun activity, so you enjoy yourself while participating in it. Try SUP today and begin to feel all the benefits of it for yourself. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

If you are having a pool party, or just entertaining the kids in your neighborhood this summer, swimming pool games are a fun way to keep the kids engaged and laughing all summer long. Plus, they are a great way for adults to bond with their kids if they take part in them as well. Pool games might involve just a few kids or an entire team, depending on how elaborate the game is. Pool Games for Kids Volleyball Purchase a  swimming pool volleyball unit and watch your kids have a blast this summer! The rules are the same are regular volleyball, the setting has just moved to the pool! Basketball You can choose either a  portable or deck mounted basketball hoop for your pool, and the kids can play a fun game of basketball. Playing in the pool adds to the challenge! Octopus Tag Octopus Tag is similar to regular tag, with just a few changes. The first child who is chosen as “it” will be at one end, with the rest of the kids at the other. When someone says “Go!” all the kids need to get to base, the other end of the pool. When the child who is “it” tags someone, the tagged child will also become “it”, and the two kids will join hands to tag more children. The one person who is left is the winner. Hit the Bobbing Head In this game, one player will stand in the middle of the pool holding a soft ball. The other players will stay underwater and each time they bob their heads up, the person who is in the middle of the pool will throw the soft ball at their head. If they are hit, they are now “it”. Marco Polo Most kids know this game. One person is blindfolded (or they can simply close their eyes). He or she calls out “Marco!” and the other children respond with “Polo!” The child who is blindfolded will try to tag the other kids by following their voices. If a child is tagged, he or she becomes “it”. Treasure Hunt The adults will place or hide items on the bottom of the pool—trinkets, small toys, etc. The kids have to grab these and bring them to the surface. The child who retrieves the most items wins. Sharks One child is chosen as the shark. He or she will stand at the end of the pool, facing away from the other children. The other kids will start at the other end of the pool and swim toward the shark; when the shark turns around, they must freeze. If they do not stop moving, they are out, but if a child touches the shark, he or she wins. Freeze Tag This is similar to regular Freeze Tag, with one twist. One person is “it” and each time they touch someone in the water, that child must freeze, until someone who is not “it” unfreezes them. However, if a child goes underwater, they cannot be tagged, or frozen. Raft Battles Kids will sit on inflatable rafts all over the pool. The objective is to bump into other rafts and upend them, tossing the other players into the pool. Underwater Races All children start at one end of the pool. When someone says “Go!” all the kids hold their breath and swim underwater. The one who goes the farthest wins. Tug of War Throw a rope in the water and allow the kids to divide into two teams. Each team pulls until they pull the other team across the center line. These games will make summer fun! Try these pool games for kids this summer in your pool to keep the kids entertained. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

Summer days often mean a trip to the pool—maybe the one in your backyard, the neighborhood pool, or a friend’s. No matter where you’re heading, it’s important to check your pool day list, and check it twice, because few things are as frustrating as heading off to the pool only to find that a few of your essentials didn’t make the trip with you. From packing water to getting  pool basketball, we have you covered for your next pool day! Pool Day Checklist Here are just a few things you will need to make your day at the pool a great one: Beach Bags Make sure you have a large, sturdy, waterproof bag to hold all your supplies. You don’t want to use plastic bags for your wet items, a large waterproof beach bag is the way to go. Plus, a large bag with plenty of pockets will give you room for everything your family wants to bring along. Beach Towels Remember to bring your beach towels! And bring extras to line your beach bag with. If you put them at the bottom of your bag, they’ll absorb any water that might leak on the way home, or on the way there. Water Make sure to have lots of drinking water on hand. Whether you’re heading to someone else’s pool or your backyard pool, having plenty of water on hand is important. Have a cooler full of water to keep the kids from running in and out of the house to retrieve water—and if you’re at the neighborhood pool, having your own water will keep you from spending money at the snack bar. Food Have healthy snacks on hand for hunger pains. Bring chips, crackers, carrots, as well as sandwiches if you’ll be gone all day. And don’t forget paper towels or napkins. Sunscreen Sunscreen is the most important thing on your list. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that will block both UVA and UVB rays. Remember, you will need to reapply if you get wet or sweat. Even if you don’t get wet, you should still reapply every few hours. Don’t squint all day! Sunglasses will save your eyesight and keep you from developing wrinkles. Find a pair of sunglasses that, like the sunscreen, block both UVA and UVB rays. First Aid Kit Pack a first aid kit in case of scrapes. Make sure to pack band-aids and antiseptic. Extra Clothes If you are heading to someone else’s pool, bring a change of clothes in case the ones your family are wearing get wet. This will make the ride home a lot more comfortable. Umbrella and Chairs Bring along a portable umbrella to give you some extra sun protection. Plus, a couple of comfy chairs will help if you aren’t sure there will be enough chairs to go around at the neighborhood pool. Pool Accessories You can't have a successful pool day without some excitement. Consider getting pool basketball or pool volleyball, so that you and your friends can heat things up with a little competition. It's fun for every age and it definitely will ensure your pool day is a blast! Other accessories could include: foam noodles, inflatables, etc. Pool Shoe Remember to pack pool shoes—shoes that can either get wet or some flip-flops that slip on and off easily. No one wants to have to slip on socks and lace-up shoes at the end of the day, especially when feet are wet. Check this list and check it twice before you head off to the pool this summer to make sure you have everything you need for a stress-free day! Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

Fun Things to Do on a Paddle Board Stand up paddle boarding is a lot of fun. One of the best things about a stand up paddle board (or a SUP) is the fact that it is so versatile! There are so many fun things you can do on one. With a stand up paddle board, there are so many possibilities. Here are a few you are sure to enjoy! These are a few of the most standard ways to use a paddle board along with some creative, fun ideas. Paddle Board Surfing One of the most invigorating things to do on a stand up paddle board is surf! Stand up paddle boards are perfect for the days when the waves just aren’t big enough for a surf board. Surfers enjoy using paddle boards to keep in shape for surfing.Fishing Yes, you can fish on a paddle board! Fishing from a stand up paddle board puts a new spin on things. You can actually purchase paddle boards that are equipped to fish—they have rod holder attachments, fish finders, etc. or you can fish from your regular paddle board. Yoga Practicing yoga on a stand up paddle board is extremely popular today. Yoga on the water can be even more peaceful than practicing on land. Plus, practicing on your paddle board can help build core strength. Purchasing a board pad can make it more comfortable.Paddle Board with Your Dog Heading out on your paddle board with your dog is a great way to spend time with your four-legged friend. No dog? Get one! Or, take a loved one with you. Most stand up paddle boards have plenty of room on them, so you won’t be crowded. Head out on the water and take note of your surroundings. If your loved one hasn’t ever paddle boarded before, this can be a great time to teach them. Teaching someone else to paddle board can be a great bonding experience. Stand up Paddle Board Racing There are stand up paddle board races held each year. While you don’t have to enter an actual competition, you may want to organize a race among your friends. If you are considering entering a stand up paddle board race, know that competition paddle boards are a little different from your average paddle board. They tend to be longer and skinnier. Snorkeling Find new snorkeling spots on your stand up paddle board. A SUP makes it easy to explore uncharted areas and discover new places to snorkel or just rest and relax. Romantic Dates A stand up paddle board makes for a romantic date. You can have a picnic on your board, watch the sunset, check out some fireworks, or just paddle to a romantic spot and enjoy the day. New Ways to Work Out You can exercise on your paddle board and get in a great workout! It is one of the best total body workouts around. Standing up on your board, balancing, works your core and strengthens your legs and your arms. Plus, paddle boarding keeps you out of the crowded gym. Get Married Looking for a unique way to get married? Get hitched on your paddle board! Choose a great beach, invite your friends, and find an officiant who can also paddle board! Everyone will be talking about your wedding for years.  If you are looking for new ways to use your paddle board, try any, or all, of these great ideas! Shop our selection of inflatable stand up paddle boards: /inflatable-paddle-bo...Dunn-Rite Pool Products and Inflatable Paddle Boards 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Inflatable Paddle Boards - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

Nobody enjoys a poor sport. You know... that 'guy' who hangs out indoors by his television set, every day of the year and complains to his friends that he is bored. This summer, take the bull by the horns and get out there with your family and enjoy your pool with Dunn Rite Pool Products, which includes basketball and volleyball sets. A Mounted Or Portable Basketball Set Dunn Rite offers a wide range of basketball sets that can be mounted or moved around the perimeter of a pool. Decide if you would like to make a basketball set a permanent addition and research each model size that is available for purchase. Some basketball hoops are designed to be adjusted, which would be a benefit if you have young children who are going to have difficulty reaching the hoop right now. With this type of feature, you can adjust the hoop to the lowest setting so that your children can comfortably reach the rim when they are practicing. As time passes and your children excel at basketball, raise the hoop a little. A basketball set includes an acrylic or polycarbonate backboard, a regulation size net, a bright-colored basketball, hardware, a base, and an instruction manual. A basketball set that is moveable requires water to stabilize the base piece. Assemble the other components before using a water hose to fill the base. The pole that attaches to the hoop is designed to extend outward. This will prevent injuries, since you and your family members won't need to move close to the side of the pool in order to aim. Because a basketball hoop is regulation size, you and the others can play with precision and this can be useful if you or any of your family members play basketball on a standard court and would like to perfect aims and throws.An Adjustable Volleyball Net A standard volleyball set includes a net, stainless-steel hardware, clamps, mounting poles, anchors, and a regulation size ball. Some sets do not contain anchors and should only be purchased if you already have a way to stabilize the net. Two people are needed to install a net. One person can stand on each side of the pool and secure one of the poles to an anchor. After unrolling the volleyball net, one side of the net should be secured to each pole. Each anchor contains a reservoir that must be filled with water. The water will prevent the anchors from moving. The clamps that were enclosed with your purchase should be used to adjust the height of the net. After choosing the desired height of the net, use one clamp to secure each side of the net. For the first volleyball match, secure the net so that it hangs low and close to the pool's waterline. As you and your family grow accustomed to competing in matches, raise the net slightly so that each game is more challenging.A Combo Unit That Includes Both Games A combo unit contains everything that is needed to play basketball and volleyball. Purchase a kit if you would like to provide yourself and your family members with the opportunity to play both games during recreational sessions in the pool. After you receive your order, familiarize yourself with the equipment and the hardware that is needed to assemble the pieces of each game. Read the assembly instructions and locate each piece that is described in the installations steps. By learning how to set up each game, you won't need to waste a lot of time when you are ready to set up the equipment so that you can compete in some family-friendly competitions. Each game should be used separately. This will provide everyone with ample room to move around in the pool. During times that your pool is not going to be used, the recreational equipment should be stored in a clean, dry area. Before placing the items in storage, drain the water that was added to each base. Use a screwdriver or power drill to remove hardware pieces. Use a towel to wipe off the materials. Place the equipment inside of a waterproof container and set the container inside of your garage or storage shed.Dunn-Rite Pool Products and Inflatable Paddle Boards 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Inflatable Paddle Boards - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

In many states, drowning has been the leading cause of accidental death in the homes of children under 5-years-old. Many communities have sanctioned safety regulations with regards to residential swimming pools. However, it is up to the parents of the children to comply with the regulations. Aside from the laws, those who own pools must take precautions to reduce the possibility of their child access the pool without supervision. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 75% of submersion victims were between 1 and 3 years old with 65% of them boys. Submersion incidents with children typically occur in a familiar environment and happen very quickly. Survival often comes down to quickly rescuing the child and restarting breathing while in the pool. To keep your child safe, there are several tips for you to understand:Tip #1 – Never Leave a Child Unsupervised While this may be the most obvious, in the time it takes for parents to answer a phone, the child could drown. During social gathers near a pool, appoint a designated watcher to protect the children from accidents. Adults often take turns as the water because when parents become preoccupied, children are now at risk. A good rule-of-thumb is to rotate watchers in 15-minute shifts.Tip #2 – Install Barriers While barriers are not completely childproof, they offer additional layers of protection for those who stray from supervision. A barrier can include any obstruction from allowing the child to enter the pool area, such as fences, walls or a power safety cover over the pool. You want to ensure the wall or fence is at least 4-feet tall so the child cannot climb it. Also, the fence slats should be no more than 4-inches apart to ensure the child does not squeeze through. Power safety covers must meet the ASTM pool cover standard for performance which requires the cover to withstand the weight of two adults and a child.Tip #3 - Utilize Door Alarms If the side of the house is one part of the barrier, then all doors leading to the house into the pool area should be protected with alarms producing an audible sound when opened. This alarm will notify the adult that the child is attempting to exit the home. The alarm should have a keypad to be used by adults when passing through the door.Tip #4 – Teach the Child to Swim According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, swimming lessons should be provided to children at the age of 4 or older. However, it is best to enter children between the ages of 1 and 4 into local aquatic programs to prepare them for swimming lessons. By having them become comfortable at a young age, they will enjoy being in the water and know the safety rules around your pool. While this is not a substitute for adult supervision and safety, there are drowning prevention skills that can be learned.Tip #5 – Learn CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is the process of resuscitating a drowning or choking victim back to life by clearing the lungs of water or the airways of an object. As a parent, learning CPR in case there is an accident could be the difference between life and death for your child. It is also recommended that babysitters, grandparents, older siblings or any other caretakers of your child learn CPR.Tip #6 – Put Away Pool Toys Children are often easily tempted by colorful pool toys shaped like animals or popular cartoon characters so they attempt to retrieve the toy and fall it. It is recommended that parents clear the pool and deck of the toys after each pool session so that children are not tempted to enter the area without adult supervision.Tip #7 – Safety Equipment There are some very interesting and beneficial pool safety gadgets that could save your child’s life. First, is a pool-mounted infrared detector which shoots out an invisible laser that, when broken, lets off a high-decibel alarm. Also, the underwater motion alarm uses a sonar grid to sound an alarm when movement is detected. Additionally, the personal immersion detector is worn as a wrist-band by the child which sounds an alarm when they contact the pool. Finally, as previously mentioned, a removable pool fence will create a temporary barricade if your child slips outside.Dunn-Rite Pool Products and Inflatable Paddle Boards 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Inflatable Paddle Boards - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

In pool volleyball, the first team to win two games wins the set. This exciting game is an exciting way to stay fit and trim in the summertime and during warmer temperatures. However, without knowing the rules, you're unlikely to have much success. Who Goes First? Before you jump in the pool, toss a coin to see which side should serve first. Be sure to have a sturdy net, such as Dunn Rite stainless-steel deck volleyball nets, that can withstand the impact of your power players. Scores are flexible, with games up to 11, 15, or 25 points being the most common. Teams should decide the length of the game before starting a set. Keep in mind that the winning team needs a two-point lead or the game goes into overtime. That's when things get really exciting!Volleyball Serving It's important for everyone on the team to know how the serve works. Once your team gets the serve, everyone rotates clock-wise so that the next team member in position can take over the serve. The player performing the serve should call out the serve before hitting the ball, which gives both teams an opportunity to focus on the play.Dunn-Rite volleyballs are regulation size and easy to see, giving your team an opportunity to play like the pros.Volleyball Scoring Points are scored by both teams, regardless of who is serving. In fact, a new serve results each time a point is made. Here's how to make points and steal the victory from your opponents: An opposing team member double-hits the ball The ball hits the water within the boundary lines on the opposing team's side of the net A player pushes, carries, or catches the ball (opposing team scores) The ball is hit at the same time by two players on the same team When a player touches the net while the ball is in playVolleyball Service Overhead serves are the typical style used in water volleyball. However, the rules allow for side or underhand hits as long as the ball stays above the water and the server doesn't violate the no-carry rule.Volleyball Set Length A match has points and sets. For competitive volleyball, if a team makes 25 points before the opponent that team wins the set. A match is three sets and the first team to win with sets wins the match. If a match requires a fifth set (both teams have won two sets) , the fifth set is played up to 15 points to determine which team wins the match. In non-competitive volleyball played backyard swimming pools, matches can last and be determined by whatever the players can handle. Make sure that both teams agree on the length and scoring rules to avoid any conflict at the end of the match. If you regularly host tournaments, it's a good idea to get a volleyball set with weighted anchors for long-lasting durability for many summers to come This is important because pools might or might not match in shape and/or water depth on each side of the net (you can always alternate so that the game is fairer to whoever winds up on the deeper end. Anchors keep the equipment in place.What the Most Common Penalties in Competitive Pool? A few common errors that can help you avoid any penalties are: A single player touches the ball twice consecutively. A team touches the ball four (4) times consecutively. Any player touches the net during play. Any player catches or cradles the ballSettling Disputes with a Referee A volleyball match is watched over by a referee, who observes actions from a stand. You can just choose someone or alternate the position., Make sure they have a clear view of action above the net and looking down into the court. The second referee helps the first referee view different angles to call tough plays on the court.Dunn-Rite Pool Products and Inflatable Paddle Boards 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Inflatable Paddle Boards - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

From Appalachian valleys to Rocky Mountain gorges, from subtropical Florida sloughs to the braided streams of the Alaskan bush, you’ll find a plethora of world-class rivers to float in the United States. Here at Dunn Rite, you can stock up for your next rafting or paddling voyage. To wet your appetite for putting those Dunn Rite floating coolers to good use, here are five of the very best float trips in the country! The Grand Canyon, Arizona Floating the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River easily ranks among the most all-around iconic whitewater adventures in the world. The scenery is unsurpassed, given you’re rolling through perhaps the planet’s most spectacular (if not the largest) canyon, gouged out of multicolored rock that in the inner depths reaches better than a billion years old and fed by dizzying tributary gulches and ephemeral waterfalls. The mood of the run has all the variety you could ask for: from laid-back rides on languid flat water to heart-in-your-mouth plunges through monster rapids, including the infamous Lava Falls. The outfitters licensed to operate within Grand Canyon National Park lead day trips and short floats of a few days, but the premier experience (whether self-guided or on a tour) is the full run through the defile from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek: 225 miles and up to two weeks in the canyon deeps. Middle Fork Salmon River, Idaho Another of the truly legendary whitewater rivers in North America, the Middle Fork of the Salmon flows nearly its entire length through the 2.36-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness of central Idaho: part of the largest road-less area in the Lower 48. This canyon-clad stream was among the first eight rivers declared Wild & Scenic in the original 1968 legislation, and all but the one-mile, “Scenic”-designated reach outside the wilderness area is classified “Wild.” From the confluence of Bear Valley and Marsh creeks to its mouth in the mainstem Salmon—the near-mythic “River of No Return”—the Middle Fork drops several thousand feet in a course ridden with Class III and IV rapids, among them Velvet Falls, Rubber Rapid, and Cramer Creek Rapid. A float trip may turn up sightings of bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, even pumas and gray wolves, not to mention grand “yellow-belly” Ponderosa pines and the soaring crags of the Salmon River Mountains. Remote riverside campsites, hot springs, canyon trails, and trout-packed depths await you, deep in the heart of the conterminous U.S.’s greatest wilderness. Tuolumne River, California One of the great streams of the west side of the Sierra Nevada, the Tuolumne heads on Mounts Dana and Lyell and runs some 150 miles to the San Joaquin River in California’s Central Valley. While paddling is possible at points upstream, including within Yosemite National Park, the most acclaimed run is the 18-mile reach between Meral's Pool and Wards Ferry just above Lake Don Pedro: a boiling chasm that includes such formidable rapids as the Class V Clavey Falls as well as Rock Garden, Nemesis, Ram’s Head, Evangelist, Thread the Needle, and other big wildwater. Buffalo River, Arkansas The undammed Buffalo River offers some of the finest river-running in the country as it winds through gorgeous Ozark highlands. Most of the flow, a 135-mile stretch, is managed by the National Park Service as the Buffalo National River. The upper portion of this offers thrilling, hemmed-in whitewater during the late spring, while the Buffalo National River’s Lower District typically provides year-round floating past high riverside bluffs, some of the most impressive of which lie in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness reach. Noatak River, Alaska On a scale of wildness beyond almost any other major U.S. rivers, the Noatak drains the most pristine watershed in North America. The scale of untrammeled country—alongside the spectacular peaks and ridges of the Brooks Range as scenery and the opportunity to see Arctic critters such as caribou, wolverine, and barren-ground grizzly bears—makes this a bucket-list expedition for any wilderness-lover. Many float the Noatak in its upper course within the roadless, trail-less Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, particularly the reach between Twelve Mile Creek and Lake Matcharak. But much longer trips are possible if you continue from Gates of the Arctic into the adjoining 6.5-million-acre Noatak National Preserve. Not far beyond the National Preserve lies Noatak, the only permanent settlement along the river and a great place to end your Brooks Range odyssey. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

There's something about the smell of fresh PVC, right out of the box. It's the smell of adventure. When you pull your new  paddleboard out of the package, you can't wait to inflate it and take it out for a spin. The problem is... not all locations, or conditions, are ideal for an SUP expedition. If the wind and the current and the temperature aren't just right, you're likely to have a bum ride. Optimal SUP Weather If you want to have a good time on your  SUP, low wind and agreeable temperatures are ideal. Even a 10mph wind can send you careening clear to the other side of the lake and have you walking all the way around to get back to your car. Wind is a bigger concern if you're going to be out in an exposed location, a big, wide-open lake or on the ocean. If you know of a nice little pond or swimming hole tucked away in a cozy valley, you can generally expect that moderate wind conditions will blow right by without knocking you off course. In any event you're going to want to take a look at the water before hopping on the board. If it looks too choppy, pack it in and free up an afternoon the next time the forecast calls for lighter wind. As long as we're not talking wintertime conditions, temperature is largely a matter of comfort. Some of us won't take our paddle boards out unless it's at least in the seventies, but as long as you're not risking hypothermia in freezing weather, it really come down to whether you're able to have a good time in the mid-fifties. And while we're on the subject of weather, it's a good idea not to venture so far out that you can't easily swim back. The weather can turn on a dime and one heavy gust can send you out a little farther than you'd planned to go. No matter how experienced you are at paddleboarding, you can't fight the weather, so don't hesitate to head back to shore and wait it out if the things start getting choppy. Finding the Perfect SUP Location If you're an adventurer, you may hear the call of faraway places, secluded ponds and rivers without another soul for miles. If you're going to head out to the middle of nowhere to do some paddleboarding, bring some friends, and take turns on the water. It's just like hiking: It's best not to go alone, and you need to make sure that someone knows where you'll be, just in case. Ideally you're looking for a place with some people there. Beaches, lakes, ponds and creeks with some fellow outdoors enthusiasts hanging around. What you want to avoid is anywhere with high boat traffic. You can't always control where your board is going to go, and some boaters never learned how to manage their wake in a considerate way. If you're at the beach, for example, walking a half mile or so down from the wharf, but still in sight of your fellow adventurers, isn't a bad idea. Creeks, Oceans, Rivers, Ponds, Lakes For beginners, small bodies of water are best for practice on your  stand up paddle board. Ponds, swimming holes and even pools. You're just trying to get the hang of the board for now. If you're heading out to the ocean, look for small waves, nothing higher than your waist. Anything bigger than that and you might as well just get yourself a longboard to surf on. Lakes are great, especially those surrounded by hills, woods or rocks that can block the wind. Just remember that SUP boards aren't really a long-haul means of transportation. It's not a boat, so don't try to paddle clear across even small lakes unless you've got a lot of experience under your belt. Now if you can find a creek or river with low current, sheltered from wind by heavy forestation or rock walls, that's about as good as paddleboarding gets. Cruising along, spotting the flora and fauna along the way, it's like zen meditation without having to close your eyes. So if you want a handy bullet pointed guide, here's what you're after:  Comfortably warm temperature Big cliffs, trees and hills to block the wind If you're at the beach, waist-level waves  When you're starting out, the best advice we have is to make sure you can see your reflection in the water. Once you get some experience under your belt you'll be able to hand a bit of current and choppiness, but for now, play it safe, and have a good time. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball