Laura Demers paddles around Bowron Lakes on Starboard Free Race
Laura Demers of Western Canoeing & Kayaking, just completed a 116km journey, around Bowron Lakes on her Starboard Free Race, 12’6×39”…
Stand up Paddling, better known as SUP is quickly becoming the fastest growing paddle sport around. This, plus a little encouragement from Marlin, the owner here at Western Canoeing & Kayaking, is what gave me the courage to try something no one had ever done before; SUP the 116k Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit.
For my trip I chose the Starboard ‘Free Race’. This board is a terrific choice for fast touring, and it worked great. My paddle was the Werner ‘Spanker’ – really light, I loved it.
The first obstacle to overcome in planning this journey was how to carry all the gear. I figured I could take a couple of dry bags on the board itself but would need a sherpa of some sort for the rest. My lovely boyfriend, David, decided to take on the task. He paddled a Clipper Tripper ‘S’ with a solo seat just behind the yoke and carried the rest of our gear, about 150# worth.
We had originally planned on taking 7 days to complete the circuit and thought even that might be pushing it for time and energy. In the end it only took us 6 days. We paddled an average of 20k a day, which was only about 7 hrs per day. On the second day my abs were really feeling the core workout. I was also surprised that my legs weren’t weak. After the first day of calm glassy waters we struggled with headwinds for most of the trip thereafter. If I stopped paddling I would instantly start moving backwards. So much for using those Wind Paddle Sails!
I wore a dry suit for practically the whole trip, as it rained 4 of the the 6 days we were out. I used the Kokatat Meridian, and was dry, warm and comfortable the entire time.
You can read more about her trip right here
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