Walking on water

Paddleboarding offers good workout, connection with great outdoors

David Quick
The Post and Courier

Floyd gives (from left) Chappell and Mary Catherine Snyder a few tips on paddling before heading out for their first stand-up paddleboard trip on Sullivan's Island.

David Quick
The Post and Courier

Molly Chappell balances on her first stand-up paddleboard trip during a lesson with instructor Dan Floyd.

Whether you're a surfer wanting a new challenge or someone just wanting a good core workout, stand-up paddleboarding is building a wave of enthusiasm in the Lowcountry.

Until recently, you either needed to shell out more than a grand or know someone with one of the behemoth boards — which are 10-14 feet long, 27-29 inches wide and 3-4 inches thick — who was willing to loan it out.

But longtime local surfer Dan Floyd started offering lessons and renting boards this summer as part of his new business, Oli Nah, a store specializing in paddleboarding, kiteboarding and windsurfing on the Isle of Palms. (Oli Nah was derived from the names of his daughters, Olivia and Hannah.)

Floyd says those seeking lessons from him, so far, include both board fanatics and people wanting a good workout outside.

"It's interesting how a workout will sneak up on you while you're out there trying to balance the board and paddle. ... Paddleboarding helps you care for your body without going to the gym and connect with nature at the same time," says the 46-year-old Floyd, a James Island native who grew up surfing at Folly Beach and later branched out to windsurfing and kiteboarding.

While those sports are dependent on weather conditions and locations, Floyd likes paddleboarding because of its versatility. He can take it into or beyond the waves, or just paddle it on the flat water of local creeks.

But he admits being initially skeptical.

"At first, I thought it (paddleboarding) was ridiculous — just more garage furniture," recalls Floyd, who worked at Half-Moon Outfitters until 2006 when he moved to Miami and connected with paddleboarding.

"When I was down there, it was harder to get to the surf because of traffic, so I'd take my daughter out on the paddleboard on Biscayne Bay," says Floyd. "It gave me another way to get on the water, no matter what the surf (conditions are)."

Floyd hopes to pass on his love of paddleboarding by offering lessons designed to give beginners a chance to experience it safely and without suffering from "unnecessary dues." Lessons cost $75 for an individual or $100 for two people, and include a half-hour of instruction and an hour of supervised paddling.

On Monday, two first-timers, friends Mary Catherine Snyder and Molly Chappell, enjoyed lessons on a relatively windless morning near Station 30 on Sullivan's Island. Both say they plan to try it again. Neither fell off the board, as so many do, as they headed toward a sandbar.

However, once they came across some current, it was a different story.

"We bit it," says the 24-year-old Snyder. "But we got right back up on the boards."

Chappell, 34, admitted that she actually walked off the back of the board, noting, "It was hilarious." She says paddleboarding was a soulful experience.

Floyd also hopes to foster paddleboarding by renting the boards and organizing weekly group paddles.

The cost to rent is $50 for a half-day, $75 for a full day or $100 to keep the board overnight. Group paddles will start around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Locations will depend on the weather and tides. Call Oli Nah for more information at 886-2723 or 696-0174.