Stand-up paddleboarding at Lake James State Park: What to know

Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the best ways to explore any body of water. Here’s what to know if you want to give it a try at Lake James State Park.

There’s nothing new about stand-up paddleboarding—in fact, it goes back thousands of years to ancient Polynesia. While it was then a mode of transportation, it saw a modern revival in the mid-20th century that led to it becoming a pastime. 

This process was helped along by surfers at Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach who stood on their longboards to maneuver amongst the waves. The legendary Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer and accomplished surfer, brought the art of paddling and surfing on longboards to a wider audience beyond his home in Hawaii.

Advances in equipment followed, making stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP as it’s often called, an accessible hobby for all who are interested in hitting the water, be it for a peaceful float on a lake or a tougher go of things on a moving river or the ocean, where currents and riptides come into play. 

Stand-up paddleboarding in North Carolina

North Carolina offers opportunities for all of the above. The state caters to every preference, offering tranquil waters as well as adventurous rapids for exploration. Prime paddleboarding destinations in the Tar Heel State include Wrightsville Beach, Lake Norman, the French Broad River, and the Cape Fear River, each boasting a distinct allure ranging from awe-inspiring coastal vistas to serene lake ambiances. 

One popular destination for paddleboarders and water lovers of all types is Lake James and the surrounding Lake James State Park. 

Created when Duke Energy dammed the Catawba River, Linville River, and Paddy Creek between 1916 and 1923, Lake James covers 6,510 acres, with 150 miles of shoreline separating it from the 3,743-acre state park that envelops it. 

Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Morganton and Marion, Lake James is a true destination for boaters, swimmers, and stand-up paddleboarders across North Carolina, with recent surges in attendance proving it to be so. 

Lake James: What to know before you go

Lake James State Park does offer SUP rentals by the hour, so let’s run down everything you need to know if you’re making a trip to the park in Nebo. 

First off, there are some things to keep in mind for any SUP trip, be it on a lake, river, or ocean. 

• Perhaps the most important tip for any stand-up paddleboarding trip to scrutinize the weather forecast and water levels beforehand. You do not want to get stuck on the water during one of North Carolina’s infamous pop-up storms. 
• Carry a life jacket. Many rental spots, including Lake James, will provide a life jacket with the board, but if you’re going out with your own board or borrowing one from a friend, be sure to bring one with you. Even if you’re a strong swimmer, you never know what might arise. 
• Be cognizant of traffic lanes used by boats and other watercraft. You’ll want to stick closer to the shore in those areas, as you won’t be able to get out of the way nearly quick enough if a motorized watercraft comes up on you quickly. Beware of the wakes from such vehicles regardless of your distance from them. 
• Notify someone about your location and expected return time.

Renting SUPs at Lake James State Park

First things first—we recommend you reserve a time slot to ensure you’ve got a board waiting for you when you arrive at the park on the day you plan to SUP. REI is the new concessionaire that handles SUP rentals at the park, so you’ll have to visit their rental site to reserve a spot. 

The rate is $25 per person for the first hour, and $15 for every additional hour after that. The site also allows for canoe and kayak rentals, for which you’ll follow many of the same directions as below. 

Due to its humongous size, Lake James is broken up into two areas — the Paddy Creek area and the Catawba River area, with various other access points spread around the shoreline. 

For stand-up paddleboarding, you’ll want to enter at the Paddy Creek entrance and drive all the way back to the visitor’s center and swim beach. It’s located at 2229 Lake James State Park Road in Nebo. 

You’ll see a large building and a parking lot where the swimming beach is. Walk through the breezeway under the visitor’s center, forgoing the sign-in for the swim beach.  

When you reach the swim beach, walk to the REI tent on your right, where staff members will check you in and fill you in on details about your board. As many rules as we threw at you above, don’t be intimidated. If you’ve ever tried surfing and couldn’t stand up on your board while moving, just know that this is not that. 

As the staff will show you, standing up on your board is easy. There are people who do SUP yoga, so even if you take a couple spills, you’re likely to get the hang of it within 10-15 minutes’ time. 

The best bet for beginners on Lake James is to head right from the beach where you launch. The cove there is less traveled by boats and other watercraft, which allows you to get your bearings and feel more comfortable on your board. 

If you’d like to venture farther after that, you’re free to make a pass by the swim beach or even try to head out to Lake James Marina, which is near the bridge that you can see off in the distance. 

Beware, however, it may take longer to reach that bridge than it looks, so consider the fact that the same amount of time spent getting out there will also need to be spent getting back. There’s also plenty of boat traffic on that route, so stick toward the shore as much as possible.  

Once you’re finished, take a load off on the swim beach—it’s $6 for a wristband. You could also head to nearby Fonta & Flora Brewery’s Whippoorwill Farm location for a brew and a pizza or take the 10-minute drive to Bear Creek Marina for a seat on the water and plenty of great food options.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.