Local clinic helps small but growing corps of Midlands paddleboarders master sport
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Saluda River — tubing, swimming and lounging seem among the favorites at USC.
It's a little less often you see a paddleboarder, but for those who master the hobby, the serene Saluda becomes a little more exhilarating.
To learn about this up-and-coming sport, I spent the day with Paul Goff, owner of Salty's Board Shop. Learning the basics of paddleboarding was a cinch under Goff's experienced eye, but the unforgettable elements were the spectacular geography and wildlife, jumping out of a tree, exploring the rich history and meeting dozens of friendly rivergoers who call the Saluda River "heaven."
Paddleboarding is a sport that is highly intuitive and thoroughly enjoyable. Most groups of tubers on the river, perplexed and impressed by the uncommon showing, asked if they could take their turn on the board. As an ode to the accessibility of the sport, every person who tried was standing up and paddling within a minute, marveling at how it "feels like you're walking on water."
Goff's daughters, who are 3 and 5 years old, have both been on a paddleboard with their dad. And, before the day's lesson, the girls begged and pleaded to come along and share in the day out on the Saluda. Goff's wife and business partner, Jess, is also a boarder and she too raves about the sport.
"I paddleboard every chance I get. It's a great way to unwind because it is a pleasant workout and it's so peaceful on the water," Jess Goff said.
Even Paul Goff's Siberian Husky, Cannon, rides at the front of the board while Goff paddles, adding to the easy ride and fun nature of the sport.
The day's paddleboarding clinic started against the current, but still made fluid progress. Goff and I paddled out to the first stop on the tour, a tree ideal for climbing and jumping off into the water. Goff admitted he doesn't take all his clients here, only the thrill-seekers.
We kept paddling upriver, chatting with the tubers and kayakers who were in awe of our fancy boards along the way. We passed by an impressive rope swing where students cheered and applauded as their friends plunged into the river.
The energy from happy-go-lucky rivergoers like these, who were using nature to live life to the fullest, added to the overall mood on the river that weekend.
We continued onward, making great progress on our paddleboards, when we came to the first piece of remarkable history: the remains of a bridge that was burned down by Gen. William Sherman following the Civil War. From the river, we observed the eerie rock foundations, all that remain of what was once a heavily traveled bridge.
Approaching the limits of the Lower Saluda River, we parked our gear, and our feet touched land for the first time in two hours. Goff led us barefoot on a path for a short span until we reached the well-known botanical gardens of the Riverbanks Zoo. The flora and fauna and remains of an old textile mill that once produced uniforms for the Confederate Army built upon the clinic's historical value, but while climbing the walls of the old structure, I was met by one of the Saluda's few downsides: the tiger ant. But the insects aren't even the biggest worry. Copperhead snakes, which are highly venomous, dwell on the riverside. If snakes or tiger ants aren't your thing, simply ask Goff to skip this impressive but risky stop. You can see half of the gardens from the river anyway.
Having reached the uppermost section, we could now cruise back with the current. It was the perfect end to a relaxing but active Saturday afternoon on the river.
Visit Salty's Board Shop for more information on the paddleboarding clinic prices and schedule.
