MATT Oldaker and his family only got into stand up paddleboarding a few years ago, but it\u2019s become a big part of their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe enjoyed it so much and we were always having to travel to the beach to enjoy doing it,\u201d he said. \u201cThen we thought, we\u2019ve got this amazing resource here at the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea for family stand up paddleboarding business, SUP Ballarat, grew from there, modelled on many businesses in the US that utilise inland waterways, lakes, rivers and even rapids for paddle boarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s certainly growing across Australia. In the last five years it\u2019s really started to take off,\u201d Mr Oldaker said. \u201cIt started back in the 1920s in Hawaii and it\u2019s just been developed from basically surfing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey just incorporated a paddle into it from the outrigger canoes that they use and it was something they could do when there weren\u2019t necessarily big waves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although subject to temperature and wind, SUP Ballarat hires out equipment and runs lessons all year, because Lake Wendouree always has a protected side and it\u2019s cleaner than ever.<\/p>\n
Mr Oldaker encourages Ballarat to come and explore the town\u2019s real \u201chidden laneways,\u201d channels cut into the reeds that people can look out over as they paddle along.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will teach people the foundation elements of stand up paddleboarding so that they can jump on any SUP and just go for it,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will get people to the place where they can confidently enjoy themselves as opposed to nervously.\u201d<\/p>\n
A hurdle for people interested in the sport can often be the idea of falling in the water but Mr Oldaker said those that take their time don\u2019t usually experience any issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy partner wouldn\u2019t normally enjoy watersports. She\u2019s not that confident around water, never really enjoyed watersports. When we first tried it, she loved it more than anyone and now she\u2019s one of the hardest ones to get back in off the water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerally the people that don\u2019t want to fall in, don\u2019t fall in the water. They\u2019re the ones that take it easy, enjoy themselves and have a relaxed time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got some regular customers that like instruction and building that confidence. If you want to keep coming back and sharpening your skills up, then you can certainly do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sport is ideal for children and adults. For those not interested in one-one-one lessons, SUP Ballarat welcomes groups for team building or celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all the gear and we\u2019re set up, and it takes all the fuss out of it. We take all the negatives of board sports out of it. It\u2019s making the sport easy and accessible to everyone,\u201d Mr Oldaker said.<\/p>\n