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There is something about being on the water that seems to cleanse and rejuvenate the soul. Relaxing on a sandy beach and swimming are great, but actually going out on the water and paddling makes me feel strong and confident.
I discovered stand-up paddle boarding, or SUPing, a few years ago and fell in love. You get the flexibility of a kayak or canoe but using a SUP requires a bit more balance along with upper body strength. A SUP looks a lot like a surfboard and is intended to be stood upon. Paddleboards are also great for yoga and require quite a bit of core strength in order to remain balanced.
Arkansas is full of beautiful lakes, and thousands of Arkansans and visitors to Arkansas explore them every year. It is not uncommon to see a handful of kayaks and canoes alongside the jet skis and party barges. SUPs are not quite as common but they are growing in popularity.
Merely by accident, I came across a small blip in a local newspaper about the Paddle Battle that was to be held at the Fairfield Bay Marina. It was a water race that had divisions for canoes, kayaks and, you guessed it, SUPs.
Bright and early on a Saturday morning several weeks ago, I awoke, loaded my car with my board and gear, and made the 90-minute drive to the Fairfield Bay Marina. Not quite sure what to expect, I was amazed by the beauty of that area of the state and overwhelmed with the hospitality and welcoming we felt as we lined up to register for the race.
The first Paddle Battle was held in 2015 and only five boats competed. This year there were 25 boats, including 4 paddle boards, and 35 individual racers. The three divisions included a fun run, a three-mile loop and a 5-mile loop that went around Sugarloaf. The racers came from all over the state and several even traveled from the Memphis area.
The Paddle Battle was well organized and fun. Though the final racer was finished in just over an hour and a half, the festivities lasted all day. Everyone was friendly and the fun just went on and on. There were free snow cones, greased watermelon races and a catfish dinner. There was live music, paddle board yoga lessons and prizes. The weather was beautiful and it was a wonderful day.
Winter, spring, summer or fall – the lakes around Arkansas are beautiful. They provide a fun and somewhat inexpensive getaway from everyday life. Whether you camp, hike, boat, fish, swim or just admire the beauty; Arkansas lakes can provide it all.
Fairfield Bay Marina is located on the northern shore of Greer’s Ferry Lake. It is a full-service marina and includes a store, food, boat rentals, boat launches and a campground. It is located just over a mile from the banks of Sugarloaf Mountain, a popular hiking destination in the middle of the lake that extends over 500 feet above the surface of the water.
Fairfield Bay prides itself on being the “quiet and laid-back” section of the lake. If you’re looking for a peaceful day on the lake, Fairfield Bay is the right place. Fairfield Bay also prides itself on building a community that is welcoming of all outdoor lovers and we were certainly made to feel welcome on the day of the Paddle Battle.
The Fairfield Bay Community invites locals and those from far off to participate in a variety of events throughout the year. With nine major events, there is always something fun happening.
You won’t want to miss the Light up the Bay and the Festival of Trees – Light up the Bay begins on November 28th with an Ugly Sweater Contest, dinner, cocktails and the tree lighting ceremony. The trees will be on display through December 9. A lighted boat parade is also planned.
Check out their website and follow their Facebook page for more information.
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[…] we have enjoyed some of the festivals and participated in the Standup Paddleboard division of the Paddle Battle races where I got second place one year and first place the next! We’ve paddled out to hike Sugar […]