Haven’t you always wanted to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding? In Tropical North Queensland? On a picturesque river? With no crocs in sight?
I know I have. Especially the no crocs bit.
How about visiting the town of Port Douglas, listed at number 3 on Australian Traveller magazine’s list of 100 Best Towns In Australia?
Well, put these two experiences together like I recently did and you’ll find yourself surrounded by a crystal clear river, lush rainforest, paddle in hand and enjoying one of the best forms of cross-training in nature you’ll find.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding, SUP for short, is an emerging global sport, and apparently the fastest growing water sport in the world.
SUP is an ancient form of surfing where the surfer uses a paddle to move through the water while standing on a large surfboard.
I’ve witnessed people doing SUP in harbours, at the beach riding waves and on lakes before, but never in an idyllic river setting like the Mossman River.
We were staying at Port Douglas, and just a short scenic drive 15 minutes north takes you to Mossman, a picturesque township and gateway to the Mossman Gorge.
When I first found out I was going to be doing SUP on a river, in North Queensland, the first thing that came to my mind was “aren’t there crocs in the rivers up north?“
Fortunately, the Mossman River is fresh water so no big saltwater crocs living there, and being crystal clear also eases the mind without having to worry about anything lurking below the surface.
Stand up paddle boarding always looked like fun and an easy form of exercising out in nature, so I was excited to give it a go.
After a quick 10 minute instructional lesson from our guide, we all got the hang of it pretty quickly.
The board is long, flat and wide making it relatively easy to get your balance. You start on your knees, and once you have your centre of gravity it’s an easy transition to standing up.
We headed up stream to start, which provided for some natural resistance and some stronger strokes needed, and we also had to weave in and out of logs and fallen tree branches.
I have to agree, SUP is one of the best forms of cross training as I could feel it working the core, legs and upper body all at the same time – plus I was having a ton of fun.
After about 45 minutes of paddling upstream, we turned around and the return journey with the current flowing steadily beneath us made it incredibly relaxing.
I’m told that platypuses call the Mossman River home.
Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any but I did see some bird life, impressive bamboo trees and the local aboriginal kids enjoying their natural playground swimming along the banks.
If you want to see playtypus in the wild, Eungella National Park in nearby Mackay is the best place!
If you’re looking for an alternative to surfing and feel like a paddle, give it a go, and it can be fun for all the family.
Besides the Mossman River, the other alternatives in Port Douglas to try SUP is on the sensational Four Mile Beach, including a sunset paddle, or a SUP fishing experience.
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