SUP Orientation
Whether it’s the thrill of being competitive or the chance to paddle with the seals, the Lotus Sports Club will have a program for you. We encourage you to come and try Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) programs on this stunningly beautiful area of waterfront!
Interested in paddling?
Have you ever wanted to know the ins and outs of Stand Up Paddling? Lotus Sports Club offers SUP Orientation sessions! The Lotus Sports Club is accepting new paddlers, please send an email to Doug at SUP@LotusSports.com if you are interested in an SUP orientation.
Lotus has SUPs suitable for beginner paddlers but also has touring and racing SUPs. If you have paddling experience, you will still need a club orientation but once you are certified, you can use a club SUP and save yourself the trouble of transporting an SUP and walking it down from the parking lot.
Learn to paddle
An orientation lesson at Lotus gets you 2 hours with a skilled instructor who will run you through everything from safety to getting you standing on the board. Lessons include both dry land and on-water instruction. All necessary equipment is included. About 30 to 40 minutes will be dryland instruction including carrying the SUP, technical instruction, and safety; about 1.5 hours will be playing on the water.
Schedule
All lessons will be scheduled with a certified SUP instructor.
Do you have a group of friends who would like to try Standup Paddleboarding? Email us and we will arrange a session that fits your schedule.
Cost:
$30 per person for an orientation session.
If you would like to continue with SUP for the summer, your $30 will go toward your $140 SUP annual membership fee. Paddlers will also need to purchase an annual Canadian Outrigger Association (CORA) membership for watersport insurance.
What to Bring and Wear:
All paddling equipment (SUP, PFDs, and paddles) are supplied.
If the weather is hot, then dress at your own discretion, but wear lots of sunscreen and a hat.
1. Footwear: You’ll need footwear to walk the board down to the water because there are barnacles, broken shells, and rocks. Wear shoes that have a heel strap that will stay on or take off your shoes once you are on the SUP.
2. Wear light clothing and layers. Avoid cotton.
3. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. There are changerooms at the clubhouse but no shower.
4. Depending on the weather, wear sunscreen, a hat with a brim, and sunglasses with a safety strap.
5. Bring your own water bottle. There is a water dispenser at the clubhouse. You won’t be able to carry your water bottle on the SUP unless you have a waist pack for it or attach it to your PFD with a carabiner.
6. All SUP paddlers must wear a Canadian Coast Guard approved PFD. These are available at Lotus if you do not have your own.
7. A smile. You’re going to have some fun.
Parking:
The Barnet Marine Park parking lots fill early on nice weekend days. We recommend a start time of 8:00am to 9:00am but a later start time is available, if you prefer.
Once you enter Barnet Marine Park, go to the West end of the parking lot. Park and walk down the road and cross the railway tracks. The clubhouse is the large brick building immediately on your right. A map to the Lotus Sports Club location is available HERE.