Stand Up Paddling on a mountain lake

Meditative workout on Lake Davos

Season times

Mid June to September

An activity that made life easier for Polynesian fishermen has now developed into a popular leisure pastime in Davos Klosters: stand-up paddling (SUP). The new on-trend sport is simple to do, great fun and keeps you fit. Beat Conrad from the Lake Davos Surf Centre tells us all about it.

Apparently effortlessly Beat Conrad draws the paddle through the water and glides standing up on a surfboard over Lake Davos. The lake is as flat as a mirror in the early morning. It is written all over Conrad’s face that the new stand-up paddling trend is massive fun. And no wonder: the conditions here are amazing. A hang-loose feeling, just like in Hawaii.

Glide over Lake Davos like a king

Talking about Hawaii, SUP was inspired, among other things, by Polynesian fishermen, who went out hunting standing in their canoes. “The indigenous people of Hawaii also travelled around on floating boards,” adds Beat Conrad, who manages the Surf Centre at Lake Davos. But only one person had the privilege of paddling standing up: the king. Today guests in Davos Klosters can also feel a little ‘majestic’ as they glide silently over the surface of the water on a SUP board. And with good reason: “You have such an amazing view of the underwater world, the shore and the surrounding mountains,”says Conrad, explaining his fascination for this sport, and continues: “It’s like meditative surfing.”

Work out like Cindy Crawford or Eva Longoria

Stand-up paddling is easy to learn, but a private lesson is still worthwhile to learn the basics. “You have to be able to swim but you don’t need to know how to row or surf. Simply stand up on the board and point your toes towards the end of the board. Conrad demonstrates. His eyes light up. And the best thing of all is that it really does not matter how old or fit you are. Everyone chooses the speed that want to move at and takes a break whenever they need to. A lot of different muscles are used in stand-up paddling: from the feet to the thighs, torso and arms right to the very tips of your fingers. In short, it represents great fitness training, which celebrity beauties, such as Cindy Crawford, Eva Longoria and Alessandra Ambrosio, have also discovered. “So have a great time,” says Conrad and paddles off at a leisurely pace towards the centre of the lake.

4 tips
for your first attempts on the water

one

The right equipment is crucial

Don’t just jump on a board and head off. It is crucial that you have the right equipment. A 100-kilogramme man needs a different board to a woman weighing just 50 kilogrammes.

two

Getting on and paddling off

Place the paddle at right angles on the board. Knee down on the board and try to assume a stable position. Place your feet approximately on the middle of the board and stand up slowly. Paddle off.

three

Paddle correctly

Hold the paddle with both hands and stretch out your arms in front of you. Place the blade of the paddle into the water. Then pull the paddle through the water as far as your heel. The full force comes from your upper body.

four

Don’t be afraid of the water

Step out onto the water. Even if the board may feel a little wobbly and unfamiliar at the beginning, you will quickly get used to it – and nothing stands in the way of the paddling fun. It’s a promise!

Play Video
Stand Up Paddling on Lake Davos

Info

Surfcenter Davosersee

Seasonal times: Mid June to September
Opening hours: daily from 9 to 19 o'clock

Learn more

SUP hire centre and courses

If we’ve whetted your appetite to try out stand-up paddling in Davos, head straight for the Lake Davos Surf Centre. It offers a range of taster courses, individual and group lessons as well as the hire of SUP boards and paddles. The SUP season runs from mid June to September.