When I say paddleboard, I don't mean this:

That's paddleboating.

I mean this: 

I confused a friend of mine one day when I was describing our last family outing on paddleboards. It was a fiasco of a conversation, if you can imagine. I was talking about holding paddles in my hand; she couldn't figure out why I wasn't using my feet. 

Have you tried stand up paddleboarding (SUP), yet?  

It's been popular in beach communities for years. Now, it's spreading to inland areas, like Nashville, due to the rise in the number of companies renting paddleboards.  You can even do yoga on your paddleboard out on the water. You don't have to save this experience for your next exotic beach vacation anymore!

So where can you rent a SUP in Nashville? 

There are a few places around, but my favorite is Caney Fork Outdoors in Nashville.

Ryan, at the Nashville location, spent a good hour showing us on a map where to drop in, talking about technique, fitting us for life vests, and helping us on strap boards to the top of our car.

That kind of service and care can help ease any first-time paddleboarding jitters. 

Now, it wasn't OUR first-time paddleboarding. We had done it in Aruba almost a year ago. It didn't go so well then. The wind and the waves made it incredibly hard to stay on the board. For the entire hour we rented the board, we pretty much did just this: 

This time, we paddled out on the Stones River. What a difference it was--so peaceful and calm. Our experience was altogether different. The kids even used the paddleboards as diving boards! Way more mellow and enjoyable this time!

I write about our past experience because I want you to know that if you're a first-timer and you're wondering how people stand up on the boards at all OR if you happened to see someone like me on your last vacation falling non-stop off my board, don't be discouraged.  

It's not as hard as it looks. Really.

So, try it out before it gets too cold! And that could happen any day now; don't put it off!! 

Caney Fork Outdoors is offering a special deal for our readers only!

The first ten people to show this article to Caney Fork Outdoors in Nashville will receive $5 off a kayak or SUP rental.

Offer can be used once, and is good at the Nashville location only.

You read it right. This deal is for a kayak OR a SUP rental. 

Here's the best way to use this deal:

Caney Fork Outdoors Nashville offers this weekend special: Pick up the board Saturday and keep it until Tuesday for just $80. Rent it with friends. Explore different lakes or rivers the entire weekend! 

You can't beat this deal for the time you get!!

Tell them we sent you, and get it even cheaper!

Adventure AND money saved?!!

That's my kind of weekend!

What to bring on your next SUP adventure?

1)   A waterproof camera. You’ll have a lot of opportunities to make memories. Take a lot of pictures! We’re so glad we did. You don’t want to worry about a camera that can’t get wet.

2)   A phone safely tucked away in a waterproof bag.

3)   Snacks and water bottles will come in handy while out on the water.

4)    Bug spray is essential. You want to do everything you can to ensure a calm and peaceful paddle. You don’t want flying bugs munching on your legs to disrupt that. It wasn’t a problem for us, but mosquitos are Tennessee’s state bird. Just saying.

5)   Sunscreen is important, as well. If you’re out on the water, you may need a reapply mid-trip.