Stand Up Paddling (or SUP for short) is taking the world by storm. It is not only the fastest growing water sport - but also the fastest growing sport in the world.
Store owner Warren has been paddling modern SUP boards since 2007 and was standing on sailboards with a paddle since he was a kid.
At Easy Rider we have taken the same approach to SUP as we have to the other sports we carry. That being "if we are going to do it - we must do it right!"
With over 100 SUP boards in stock we have the largest selection in Canada, and most of the USA as well. All of the staff here paddle and know what they are talking about. Stop by and find out about this awesome new sport.
SUP Brands carried:
Starboard / Naish / Rogue / Coreban / Hobie / 404 / Riviera / Jimmy Lewis / Quickblade / Werner / C4 / On A Mission / DaKine / and many more.
We had a great flat water Stand Up Paddleboard demo in February.
Over 50 people new to SUP came out and learned how to paddle.
The Demo on March 19 is fully booked.
Stay tuned to this space for information on our April SUP demo day.
Handing out boards and giving instruction.
People out enjoying a Summer sport in the middle of February – in Edmonton, AB.
We just received our shipment of 2013 Starboard Stand Up Paddleboards.
If you are thinking about getting a board from the world leader in SUP – Now is the time.
Selection is at its absolute best.
Some stores say they can “get you a board” or “we don’t have that model” or “we can order it for you, it will be about a month” - NOT The Easy Rider. We are fully stocked NOW.
All constructions and colors of the entire Touring line up, The Big Easy, The Blend, The Atlas, The Atlas Extra, The Drive, The Widepoint 10’5″, the NRG Fitness 10’5″, The Whopper, All the Race boards and many, many more. Avoid the disappointment of not getting the board you want . . . get it now.
Free storage until Spring.
Call the shop for more information.
Straight from the factory to us. This means NO chance of shipping damage.
Panoramic shot of what was in the container!
THIS SESSION IS FULLY BOOKED.
We will be doing another in March – Please watch this space for dates and times!
With the huge success of our first SUP demo of 2013 – we are happy to announce the next date.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013. 7:00 to 9:30 PM in the wave pool at West Edmonton Mall.
Cost is $10. per person (which we donate to the Edmonton Food Bank and Youth Emergency Shelter).
You MUST call the store in advance to register and receive the instruction on where and when to meet to get in.
780-413-4554
Come on out and try the fun new sport of Stand Up Paddling. What else are you going to do on a Tuesday night in February?
Dave Kalama has a new web video series out all about his travels doing Stand Up Paddling.
Check out the first episode.
What is the best thing to do in Edmonton on a Tuesday Night in January? Go stand up paddling indoors of course!
The Easy Rider kicked off the 2013 SUP season on January 22 with the first flat water demo of the year in the wave pool at West Edmonton Mall.
We had 48 people brave the minus 15 temperatures to come out and try stand up paddle boarding for the first time.
They were also able to try out a bunch of the brand new Starboard Astro boards – including the Touring 12’6″ and 14′, the Blend, Whopper and event the Astro Widepoint 8’2″. In addition to the Starboard Astro line up there was also the Touring 12’6″ / Touring 14′ / Big Easy / Blend / Whopper / Hero / Widepoint 10’5″ and 9’5″ all in various constructions to try.
After the flat water demo we cleared the pool and turned on the waves for an hour for my staff and team as a Thank You for them helping to teach and carry boards.
The next demo will be on Tuesday, February 19th.
Contact the store for more information and to register.
Boards loaded up – note the snow on the ground!
Boards line up ready to go. (and Griffin hamming it up)
Giving a quick lesson to all the eager SUP’ers.
Griffin trying out the Astro Widepoint 8’2″
Great aerial shot of the pool.
SUP is fun for all ages!
Amazing that we can surf indoors – in Edmonton – in January!
We are hosting our next Stand Up Paddleboard demo in the waterpark at West Edmonton Mall.
Tuesday, January 22 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Cost is $10. per person – with all money donated to the Edmonton Food Bank.
We supply the boards, paddles and a lesson.
Come on out and try the fastest growing sport in the world and have a little summer in the middle of winter!
Contact the store to register – 780-413-4554 and for more information.
DATES BOOKED.
SUP Surf session
Tuesday, Jan. 8th – 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
- 2 x 90 minute sessions.
- Limited to 10 people per 90 minutes.
- $45. per 90 minutes.
- MUST have your own SUP board.
- Booking begins at the store Jan. 2nd.
- Must register and pay at the store – in advance.
- First come first surfed.
SUP Entry course (Flat water)
Tuesday, Jan. 22nd – 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- $10. cash donation to the food bank.
- Unlimited people.
- We provide the boards / paddles / lesson & FUN!
Christmas came a little early for me personally – - my new SUP Surf board showed up!
It is the new Starboard Converse+ 9’5″ x 30″ at 140 L.
Now I just need to book the Wave Pool to try it out.
In carbon . . . of course.
So with the cold weather coming fast – and the river getting close to becoming “solid” – I figured it was time for one last paddle.
When I checked the night before – there was still about 30% open water – but the ice tends to do weird things at this time of the year. Less than 12 hours later there was only about 5% open water. Didn’t get much of a paddle in – but had fun, and that’s what it’s all about.
Big THANKS to Perry Nelson for coming out and getting cold with me by taking all the photos.
Early morning session!
Sunrise shot.
They also make great ice chippers!
Starboard Astro Touring 12’6″ in “Toboggan mode” (the carry handle also doubles as a foot strap)
I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend Starboard’s International Dealer and Distributor meetings in Spain last week.
The Meetings covered all of Starboards products – Starboard SUP, Starboard Windsurf, Severn windsurf sails and Air Rush kites and kite boards.
The event was held at the La Ballena Alegre Camping Park in the Costa Brava area, in the Bay of Roses on the north, east coast of Spain.
My wife and I arrived into Barcelona late Saturday night and made the 150 km drive to the resort.
It was a “hectic” drive – in the dark – with rain – in a foreign country – after 12 hours of flying. We arrived and went to sleep.
The next morning was the start of 4 days of meetings that would start with breakfast at 7:00 AM followed at 8:00 AM with product knowledge meetings that would run until 1:00 PM – then an hour for lunch, followed by trying out all the new 2013 gear.
By “all the new gear” I mean ALL the new gear – there were over 150 boards (SUP / Sail and Kite).
After paddling / sailing or kiting all afternoon we would then write product evaluations on what we had tested. I personally paddled over 45 different SUP boards.
This cycle of “eat, learn, eat, test, eat, sleep” would repeat each of the 4 days.
Part of the reason I was invited to the meetings in Europe as the sole North American – was to talk about growing SUP in non typical areas (which Edmonton and Alberta definitely are).
While the areas of Europe that are on the ocean are experiencing similar growth in SUP as North America – much of the “inland” areas are still very slow to “grab on” to SUP on flat water. It was confirmed by Svein (owner of Starboard) that Edmonton, Alberta is leading the way – world wide – for flat water SUP development.
I also spoke on the development and sales of the Starboard Touring line of boards that I helped to create.
The Touring segment of Starboards line has grown in leaps and bounds. In 2012 there were 2 sizes, each coming in 2 constructions – for a total of 4 variations.
For 2013 – there is a total of 21 versions available!
It was a fantastic event and I am super thankful to have been asked to take part – Thank you Starboard!
Here are a few of the 800+ photos I took.
Our Bungalow for the 5 nights.
Giant pan of Paella for dinner one nigh.
The restaurant is at the far left – all the product displays are under the red awnings.
Part of the SUP display.
Starboard has a great line up of paddles for 2013.
In addition to SUP – Starboard is also the largest Sailboard company in the world!
All of the Starboard designers and product managers.
A vert small selection of boards on the beach – ready to go.
A “few” boards packed away for the night.
Pro Series surf SUP’s in carbon – so dam sexy!
Race boards as far as you can see!
New color way for the Carbon boards – this is an 11’2″ Blend.
The new ASAP soft top construction – with a hard bottom. These are super cool.
Went on a great 10 mile Tour one afternoon with my wife – Her on the 12’6″ x 32″ and me on the 14′ x 30″ Touring – both in Carbon.
Great shore line to paddle in and around.
We even had fun little waves to play in later in the afternoon.
Starboard 14′ x 25″ Sprint – in Carbon. The flat water missile.
Starboard 14′ x 26″ All Star – in Carbon. Down wind and chop machine!
Starboard Astro 14′ Race – this is a prototype 14′ x 26″ inflatable race board. It is ridiculously fast for an inflatable.
Astro Touring 12’6″ WindSUP – yes – it is a 12’6″ inflatable SUP board that you can put a sail on – with a daggerboard!
Starboard Touring 12’6″ x 32″ in Carbon. This is the new 32″ wide version – great for larger paddlers / people that want to carry more gear / or people that just want more stability.
Starboard Touring 12’6″ x 29″ in Wood. This is the new 29″ wide version. Great for lighter paddlers or people wanting a little more speed from a touring board.
Starboard Touring 12’6″ x 30″ in AST Silver. As with all of the Silver construction boards – you can attach a windsurf sail to them. This board also has a set of fin bowes near the middle to aid in up wind sailing. It is a very fast light wind sail board.
Starboard Touring 12’6″ x 30″ in AST White. The “White” boards are de-featured and are a great value.
Svein Rasmussen, me, and Sean Poynter
Big thank you to Starboard for the trip, for making the best products in the world, for being focused on people having fun, and for listening to me and allowing me to help in the development of the best Touring SUP boards in the world!
Thank You.
