Paddle on Lake Arthur: Experience nature on the water
Moraine State Park offers a plethora of activities during the summer months, but none so niche as stand-up paddle boarding.
Ian Smith, owner of SurfSUP Adventures, said Moraine State Park is a busy location for the paddle board tour company. With 12 years experience on Lake Arthur, they offer eco-tours, glow-in-the-dark tours, and group tours during the summer season.
“Moraine is such a great area, there’s a variety of life and natural settings so you can disconnect from everything in the clean water,” he said. “That’s our No.1 location.”
Smith said to go on a tour, you need no previous experience. Tour guides provide the equipment and a quick lesson to get folks acquainted with the board before setting out on the water adventure.
“Whether it’s your first time or you’re experienced, people will enjoy it,” he said. “We take (people) to different wildlife and plant life in the park and then give them time to explore on their own.”
Tours are typically two hours and are in groups of 10, Smith said, and private group tours can be requested.
Beginning in June, Glo-SUP paddle board tours will guide folks on Lake Arthur by the light of a full moon.
“We watch the sun go down, and then the LED lights on the boards illuminates the water underneath. It’s a different ambiance, a completely different experience,” Smith said.
At the Regatta in August, Smith said the Pennsylvania SUP championship race, a stand-up race, is back and open to anyone interested in participating.
He added that Moraine is a fantastic location to try the unique activity because of the lake’s calm atmosphere.
“It’s calm water, there’s no crazy boaters,” he said. “Anyone is welcome to paddle. We encourage anyone and everyone to give it a try.”
For more information on paddle board activities and tours, visit surfsupadventures.com. Tour dates will be updated throughout the season.
