SUP in Downtown Melbourne

[corym]

One of the sweetest things I've done this year was SUP down the Yarra River into the heart of Melbourne, Australia.

We teamed with the guys from SUP Bus in St. Kilda.  The first timers got their lessons while the rest of us did some Kahuna Big Stick riding along the side of the Yarra.  After the lesson was over, we all got our paddleboards and hit the river.  Riding on the water was the most incredible way to explore the city.  Waves were obviously lacking, but it was still one of my favorite things I've done.

[sbsup11]

Sick! What do you can that? Land-paddling? Pushpaddle? Paddleskating?

[upwinder]

Me and the mates have been thinking about a river run - looks like you put in around the boatsheds? How far up/down did you go?

[DavidJohn]

Nice.. Good to see someone else paddling through my home town/city.

We paddled through Melbourne last week and paddled right down and under the Boltie bridge and waited there till the Formula One car drove over so we could hear it but all the helicopters drowned out the sound.. Then we paddled around to the docklands area to meet Mark Webber (Aussie F1 driver).. See the F1 car.. and also meet the Dragon boats guys/gals.

Here's my pics.. (lots.. sorry if too many) .. I hope you don't mind me posting them here.. I don't mean to hijack your thread..  

DJ

[lee]

So did you get Vettle's  assistant out on a Paddleboard??

[DavidJohn]

So did you get Vettle's  assistant out on a Paddleboard??

No... didn't see Seb.. or his assistant.. The RedBull girls were pretty nice..  

Oh.. I see what you mean..  ..Ha.. and I think you're right about that.. 

I'm sure Mark would have jumped on if he could but it was a big PR day for him.

DJ

[SUP Kahuna Cory]

Nice.. Good to see someone else paddling through my home town/city.

We paddled through Melbourne last week and paddled right down and under the Boltie bridge and waited there till the Formula One car drove over so we could hear it but all the helicopters drowned out the sound.. Then we paddled around to the docklands area to meet Mark Webber (Aussie F1 driver).. See the F1 car.. and also meet the Dragon boats guys/gals.

DJ, you have some awesome pics!  I was stoked to see someone else from Melbourne on this site.  I lived in St Kilda for the summer with Kahuna StreetSUP.  I definitely recognize the guy decked out in the Australia gear from the Port Phillip Cup.  I loved SUPing the Yarra and love your pictures on it!

[pdxmike]

Thanks corym and DJ for the Melbourne photos.  Standup seems to be a great way to sightsee in cities with rivers or waterfronts (just wouldn't want to fall into some of them).  I love seeing the water being reclaimed for recreation in Seattle and Portland--SUPs, kayaks, sailboats, motorboats, seaplanes, tourist boats--the more the better for me.  A new park just opened up in Seattle in a formerly polluted industrial site, and was christened with a paddle festival event.  Standup is also a great way to get to waterfront events--I had a free front-row seat (or stand) for the Blues Festival here--fell in front of 20,000 people.

Nature is nice, but I like paddling past buildings a lot too.

[DavidJohn]

Hey Mike.. You might get a giggle out of this.

One day while paddling through the city there was a large group (mostly kids) on the side of the river and I paddled over to say hi.. I then said watch my new SUP paddle trick.. (my paddle pop up trick).. I then paddled past them slowly.. I speared my paddle deep into the water expecting it to pop right back up.. but it didn't.. and I drifted on without a paddle.. Bummer.. It was stuck in the mud and the handle was below the surface of the water.. So I had to get down on my knees.. Paddle back and search around in the murky water for my paddle and pull it back out.. How embarrassing..  

DJ

[pdxmike]

DJ--thanks for that.  I guess I'm easily entertained because I just watched that 8 times.  I'm trying it tonight--but not with my adjustable paddle!

[SwampSup]

Well, crap!  I got all excited when I first saw the title.  Because I live just North of Melbourne......Florida!

[SUP Kahuna Cory]

Well, crap!  I got all excited when I first saw the title.  Because I live just North of Melbourne......Florida!

haha Melbourne, Florida's pretty sweet too!  Definitely beautiful there!

[SUP Kahuna Cory]

Definitely starting to get cold in the US.  Wouldn't mind going back to Aus right about now.   

[SUP Kahuna Cory]

Sick! What do you can that? Land-paddling? Pushpaddle? Paddleskating?

It's land paddling, and it's pretty rad!  It's def nice getting out on them when you can't get to the water - or when the water's death cold like it now

[SUP Kahuna Cory]

I'm thinking about taking a trip back to Melbourne.  Yarra River round 2 anyone??