August 1, 2024
From Truckee.com: An Insider’s Guide, Summer 2024 Issue
Truckee and Tahoe’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs offer cool dips, tranquil afternoons, and exciting summer adventures. Enjoying them on a stand-up paddleboard, or SUP, offers exercise, peace, and challenge. Here is your guide to getting out on a SUP this season: from classes to rentals to demos, slice your paddle through the water’s surface and glide your way to a new way of experiencing Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, and more.
WHERE TO LAUNCH
In Truckee, Donner Lake is a top pick for its clear waters, easy launch access, and the beauty of Donner Summit looming over the west end. There are several places to put in a SUP and explore the roughly eight miles of shoreline.
West End Beach, run by Truckee-Donner Recreation Park District, is popular with residents and visitors and offers a beachside area to launch a paddleboard. The park provides day and season passes. If you don’t have a paddleboard, they offer rentals. The beach does get crowded, and there is quite a walk from the parking lot to the shoreline, which seems longer when hefting a large hardboard (in contrast to an inflatable board).
Paddleboarders can also launch off the public docks that line the south side of the lake along Donner Pass Road or from Donner State Park. Once in the park, there is a dedicated launch area to the right as you pull in. Fees are $10 per day, and annual passes are available. There is a very calm canal-like section within the park that leads to the dam. It’s a great place to learn or to get some shelter if it becomes windy on Donner Lake.
The Boca and Prosser Reservoirs are other options that allow even easier access. Drive directly onto the beach for a quick launch that doesn’t require you to lug the SUP. Boca is very popular with motorboats and water skiers, so go early to avoid the chaos and wakes. While Power boating is allowed on Prosser, a 10-mph speed limit is enforced, so head there for a more serene experience any time of day.
WHERE TO PURCHASE OR RENT
Tahoe Sports Hub in downtown Truckee offers a large selection of SUPs for all users. “Paddleboarding allows a unique perspective on the water, and we have boards for everyone!” said Rob Cavallo, Tahoe Sports Hub owner.” Whether you want a stable, family-friendly board to play around with, want to try SUP yoga, or you’re looking for a faster, more aggressive touring board to slice through the water and cover long distances, we have all the sizes and shapes. Inflatable boards have really improved in recent years and are a very popular option because they are so easy to store and transport.”
For those not ready to commit to purchasing and storing a paddleboard, the Sports Hub also offers rentals. Rob added, “Renting a board is the easiest way to get out on Lake Tahoe or Donner Lake. We have different types of rentals, including demo boards for those looking to try out a specific model before committing to a purchase. You can apply demo fees to your purchase and find the perfect board for your body and goals. We load them on your car, or in the case of inflatables, toss them in your trunk, and you’re off to the lake. We have customers that rent for their entire week’s vacation and others who just grab a board for a day on the East Shore.” Learn more about them at tahoesportshub.com.
Tahoe Adventure Company in Tahoe Vista also offers rentals; they’re located on the beach, making launching onto Lake Tahoe incredibly easy. If you already have an access point at another location on the lake, they offer SUP delivery and pick up (restrictions apply). The service includes paddles, life jackets, and instruction. Learn more about them at tahoeadventurecompany.com.
TOURS AND CLASSES
One of the best ways to explore Lake Tahoe on a paddleboard is with a local expert who knows the area. These experts also have experience and knowledge, making excursions fun and educational. Tahoe Adventure Company offers several tours throughout the summer.
If you’re new to paddleboarding, check out their Discover Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour, which offers instruction and exploration, allowing you to hone your skills in just one day. You’ll also learn about the lake’s history as you navigate along the shoreline. Their Sand Harbor Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour takes you along one of Tahoe’s most stunning landscapes through clear water, the iconic boulder field, and Bonsai Rock.
“We offer activities for all ability levels, price points, and group sizes. At Tahoe Adventure Company, the goal is to get visitors to explore the outdoors and enjoy human-powered adventures!” said Katie Hickey, Tahoe Adventure Company owner and operations manager.
For a unique and challenging experience, try SUP yoga. Mountain Lotus Yoga, in Truckee, offers 60-minute SUP yoga classes at Commons Beach in Tahoe City through Labor Day weekend. They also provide private SUP group lessons and private classes at Commons Beach, Kings Beach State Park, and Donner Lake.
“SUP Yoga is an incredible way to experience the sublime beauty of a Lake Tahoe summer morning. The lake is so still it’s like glass,” said Kellee Rich, Mountain Lotus Yoga events coordinator, and Vinyasa, SUP, and aerial yoga instructor. “I always instruct students to dress in comfortable yoga clothes or a bathing suit and in layers. The mornings can be brisk and the water cold, but it always warms up by mid-morning. If you’re looking to try something new and challenging, SUP yoga is an adventure worth exploring!” If you don’t have a board, rentals are available. Learn more at https://www.mountainlotusyoga.com/sup-yoga.
The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is 72 miles of shoreline that circumnavigates the big lake. It is possible to paddle the entire circumference, stopping along the way to sleep and camp. Find all maps, trailheads, route planning tools, launch sites, campgrounds, parking, restrooms, safety information, and more at laketahoewatertrail.org.
TIPS, TRICKS, AND SAFETY
A few essential techniques will ensure a better and safer experience. Maintain a stable stance with your feet about shoulder width apart and pointed forward. Distribute your weight evenly to navigate swells. Engage your core muscles to propel yourself forward, keeping elbows slightly bent and back straight.
Lake Tahoe Water Trail offers a few common-sense safety measures everyone should follow:
Timing is everything when you’re paddleboarding. Be aware of the afternoon winds that pick up at times and the crowds that want to enjoy the lakes on weekends. Heading out early in the day is recommended if you’re looking for a serene experience that allows you to enjoy the sport rather than dodge obstacles. An evening paddle also holds allure, as does a nighttime paddle in the light of a full moon. Just make sure to bring a pal or let others know where you’re going and when you plan on returning. Enjoy the view and the tranquility of experiencing summer in a new way.
