Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is quickly becoming very popular as a way to enjoy time on our gorgeous lakes. McConnell Lake is a great place to learn the basics of the sport as it is a small and generally calm lake that is a short drive from Kamloops.

There is plenty of free parking in the provincial park lot along with a small boat launch perfect for getting your board into the water. One can choose to paddle around the perimeter of the lake of head straight for the tiny island at the opposite end of the lake.

Should you want to do a little cross training, there is a fantastic trail circling the lake that is perfect for jogging or walking.

HOW TO GET THERE - Take the Lac le Jeune Exit off Hwy #5; the park is 35 km south of Kamloops and 49 km north of Merritt. Drive up the old Lac Le Jeune highway towards Lac Le Jeune / Stake Lake area for about 30 minutes and eventually on the left hand side of the road is a brown wooden sign that says "McConnell Lake Provincial Park".

STAND-UP PADDLE BOARD AT MCCONNELL LAKE

McConnell is a great lake to hone your stand-up paddle boarding skills.

Stand-Up Paddle Board Facts Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) originated in

Hawaii as an off-shoot of surfing. The Outdoor Foundation's 2013 Outdoor

Participation Report, stand up paddling was listed as the most popular outdoor activity among first-time participants with 56% of all the first-time participants of outdoor activities in 2013.

On August 8, 2007, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City, California, the first stand up paddle board race was held. 34 male and female competitors competed in a seven mile race. This was the beginning of the Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival.

At first, you may find it easier to kneel on the board rather than to stand upright.

If you're travelling, don't have a lot of room to store a board, or want to transport your board by bike or even public bus, an inflatable SUP might be the right choice. They fit inside a carrying case that's the size of a large backpack. With a hand pump, you can inflate it in 5 to 10 minutes or even faster if you use an electric or battery powered pump.

Your paddle should be taller than you are by about 10-20cm.

Stand-up paddle board yoga is becoming a popular way to practice yoga poses in a peaceful environment.

New SUP board prices range from $600 to over $1500.

The first magazine devoted to the sport, Standup Journal, was founded in June 2007 with its first issue published March the following year.

Kai Lenny claimed the first SUP racing world champion title when he won the seasons finals of the first Standup World Series championship races, held at Turtle Bay Resort, O'Ahu, Hawaii on September 13–14, 2012.

Stand-up paddle board enthusiast and owner of www.istandup.ca Chris Chaster, loves to get Kamloops

residents hooked on the sport.