There’s an urgency to spring paddleboarding. After being cooped up all winter or forced to paddle in wetsuits to stave off the chilly water and weather, when that sun does finally come out in spring, the desire to get on the water is overwhelming, as if the water is pulling me. As excited as I am to get on my board and feel the paddle cut through the water, the weather in Whatcom County is finicky at best. One location can feel like a sunny paradise, on the cusp of summer, while another can be gloomy or even downright stormy.
While preparing for this article, that was exactly the case. I left sunny blue skies behind, wearing board shorts and flip-flops. I was excited to hit the water, but as I approached, I saw gray clouds socked in over the south end of Lake Whatcom, my launching point. When I arrived, I was met with a crisp breeze, cloudy skies, and water with just enough ripples to splash onto my board. Fortunately, I had brought my booties since the thought of cold water in the spring is always on my mind when heading out on a paddle. Keeping my fingers and toes warm this time of year is all about being prepared. That’s why, in addition to my booties, I often bring gloves specifically designed for paddling. They are neoprene mittens with an open palm, so the paddle doesn’t slip. While they are a great piece of equipment, I had left them behind on this excursion because of the sunny skies at home.
When leaving my house, I had envisioned a leisurely paddle serving as a reminder to my body that this was something we did. I had only been out a couple of times this spring, so I was still pulling my paddling muscles from hibernation and getting my feet ready for the hours of standing on the board the summer will bring.
I planned to get my vitamin D and potentially sweat a little, but nothing major. Instead, I would classify this session as exercise. Was it peaceful on the water? Yes. Was it beautiful? Yes. Was it what I had planned? No. I usually paddle into the wind when I’m doing an out-and-back so that it’s easier on the return trip, although in this case, the wind was blowing from the center of the lake, and I wanted to stay close to shore in case I fell in, the board popped, or something else happened. This resulted in a side wind in both directions. I was in shorts, a t-shirt, and booties, so when I got on the water, it was a little cold, but the temperature was warm enough, and the paddle was challenging enough, that my body did warm up once I got going.
The reality is that this is spring paddling. It’s an adventure, and I’ll take a day being on the water over a day of not being on the water any day. I also justify it as the added challenge probably made me better. I’ll be a stronger paddler as summer approaches and be able to go farther, faster, but it would still have been nice to soak up some sun while gliding through the water.
In the spring, I tend to use my time on the water for revisiting spots I’m familiar with. Because of the unpredictability and added risk, I spend more time on lakes in the spring, and, as I wrote in Whatcom County Lakes Offer a Bounty of Paddling Adventure Options, we have many local spots. I will head out into our bays and explore our islands, but I avoid any big crossings and tend to stay closer to shore, enjoying the coastlines. Often, the clear spring waters allow a perspective into the water from above. I regularly see Dungeness Crab scurrying about and jellyfish floating by. For me, the reward is worth the occasionally cold hands and feet to get a jump on the season and explore without the crowds.
It’s important whenever going out on the water to make sure you’re prepared with the proper gear. That’s magnified when the weather can be unpredictable. Water temperatures in the spring are closer to winter temperatures than to summer temperatures, so a fall into the water can lead to muscle failure and hypothermia if you are in the water too long. Let someone know where you are going and when they should expect you back, just in case something unexpected happens. As always, remember to check for any necessary permits, licenses, or required gear for a specific location. Happy Paddling!
