Paddleboard group takes shape

A NEW standup paddle boarding group at Ballina is making waves with its rapid membership growth and resurgence in the shire.

The group only formed a few weeks ago and has had more than 100 people reach out online to join them.

It only started with two members who were looking to gauge interest in anyone keen to paddle around Shaws Bay.

Experienced paddle boarder David Adams and Carol Tomek went on to establish the group on January 29.

“We’ve started from scratch, we had about five people turn up to our first paddle,” Adams said.

“We’re so fresh that we don’t even have an official group name, yet.”

“Carol was looking for someone to paddle with and she asked if I could do a bit of a call out.

“I think it’s only going to continue to grow, we’re basically a beginner’s group, but we’re open to anyone and all skill levels.”

The group has already had requests from paddle boarders at Evans Head to see if they would consider going there for a session.

Adams said they will eventually try South Ballina and some harder paddles when the group grows in confidence.

He was originally an outrigger who got into stand up paddle boards after having a melanoma cut from his back.

Paddle boarding was popular about 10 years ago when he was part of a similar group at Lennox Head.

“There are always new trends, you can lose people to kayaking and kite surfing,” Adams said.

“Paddle boarding is great because you really can’t hurt yourself.

“We all have different boards and you can swap and share them when we meet.

“I had so much fun the other day that I paddled the extra distance home and saw dolphins along Missingham Bridge. It’s just a great activity.”

The group paddle twice a week, meeting on Wednesdays at 8am and Saturday from around noon.

It also has a Ballina Standup Paddleboarders Facebook page where members can organise additional times and meet-ups.