SUPs – Getting Started

What It Is

Maybe you’ve been hearing about SUPs, (Stand Up Paddle Boards).. they’re gaining popularity quickly. There are a number of reasons for the wide spread interest, one main one being versatility in the sport. Kids, parents, athletes and relaxed beach-goers alike find a good time atop a SUP.

Whether your trip out paddling is a time for relaxing, full of adventure, or a great workout depends on where you go and what you’re setting out for. You control your experience (well, unless you’re on raging waters). You put into it what you want, and sometimes a smooth, relaxing venture is just what you need. : )

What You Need

Get this: you need a SUP and a paddle! Besides that, we suggest playing it safe and always wearing a PFD. We also know the benefits to wearing the right clothing, so we like to recommend swimwear (for days on the water when you’re participating in all sorts of water activities), wet suits when the air or water is cold, or fast drying, wicking performance wear to keep you cool and dry. Sun protection is a biggie too.

After gathering those things, all you need is to get going!

How You Do It

Carry the SUP under your arm or on top of your head and make your way to the water. Starting in shallow water makes stepping onto the board a breeze, but starting kneeling or by sitting then standing works too.

Look for the balance point, and plant your feet there. You don’t want the tail underwater, and you don’t want the nose up in the air. You’ll find a spot that allows your board to stay level.

Your feet should be about shoulder width apart, centered on the board. Be conscious about keeping your knees soft and back straight and use your hips to keep you centered. Tipping your head or shoulders dramatically will throw you off balance! Ground yourself with your hips.

Hold your adjusted paddle on one side, with your right hand on top when the paddle is on your left side, and vice versa. Be sure the blade of the paddle is all the way under water, and twist with your core to push the paddle back. Keep your strokes small until you’re comfortable. Repeat. And repeat. Change sides after every few strokes to keep yourself heading straight ahead. (You just learned the side stroke.)

You can backpaddle to turn your board, by paddling from the tail of the board to the tip. Stepping back on the board or leaning to the inside of the board will help your board pivot more, making your turn easier and faster.

These are the basics. After you get a hold of these techniques, you’ll have a feel for the board and can manage more water conditions.

What Shep’s Offers 

We’ve done our part to have all that you need to get into the sport. We have two boards to choose from, adjustable paddles, life vests, apparel, and yes, even sun screen and sun glasses!

Conquest GURU Inflatable SUP, Backpack & Pump ($799)

California Board Company 10 SIX SUP, paddle & roof rack kit ($599)

PrAna: Now at Shep’s!

Shep’s yoga selection just got even better! We’ve added PrAna to the mix!

PrAna is an attractive brand for those whose days include early morning yoga, and for those whose don’t. With performance fabrics, tailored fits, and styles ranging from sporty to earthy, their apparel is livable for a nearly any lifestyle.  Whether you’re a yoga enthusiast, an athlete of another sort, or just a woman who loves to look and feel good, you’ll feel right at home in PrAna’s active or casual wear.

Check out this photo album for a preview of what’s in store.

Read PrAna’s Story:

prAna, an ancient Sanskrit word for breath, life and vitality of the spirit, has helped guide our actions and lift our aspirations since day one.

We started in 1992 making clothing that worked well for climbing and yoga. It turned out that the clothing worked well for lots of other passions too, so we added new products with “purpose” in mind and scoured the world for design inspiration.

We cut and sewed clothing in our garage and shipped it to customers in surplus fruit boxes gathered from the local grocery store. For hangtags, we ground up old newspapers, added essential oils and cut out the handmade paper with a pizza cutter. Our first employee slept on a hinged bed that turned into a shipping table by day.

What’s changed since then?

Not much – and a lot. We’ve grown a bunch, but most of our original employees are still here. We participate in business with like-minded folks who want to promote conservation and create positive change, which reflects the same intention as the old days, just taken up a few notches. Organic cotton, fair trade and wind power initiatives are on the short list of what we support.

We are inspired by athletes like climber Chris Sharma – who’s been with us from the beginning – and yoginis like Shiva Rea. These friends, and many of our customers, help inform our designs and keep us legit. Which is why our founder, Beaver Theodosakis, still answers customers’ letters.

Looking back, we think that the name prAna fits us pretty well. Looking ahead (because we love change), we’re excited to see what the future holds. That’s our story. We hope you like our products.

The Little Things Mean A Lot: Bike Accessories Are Necessities!

A bike is just a bike until you make it yours with accessories that serve a purpose whether you’re commuting, touring, into mountain or road riding, upgrading the safety profile or adding some serious style.

Shepherd & Schaller has the Wausau area’s largest selection of bike accessories and is trusted by athletes of all levels to select, install and service them.  Get 20% off and free installation of accessories when you buy a bike at Shep’s, or visit our website or Facebook page for coupons.  Let this list get you started thinking about ways to improve your ride:

Bags & Baskets, Bar Tape, Bottle Cages, Child Carriers, Clothing, Computers, Fenders, Gloves, Helmets, Lights, Locks, Mirrors, Pumps, Racks, Repair Stands, Saddles, Storage and Display, Tools, Tires, Trailers, Extras and more….

Add safety, performance, function and style with accessories from Shep’s!

 

Pocket Disc Games

 

Pocket Discs, Soft Footballs & Swirl Balls, and Foot Bags now in stock in our Wausau store!!

Pick up a Pocket Disc and it’s pretty obvious that it can be used for just about anything. (I think that was a challenge: make a list of all the things it can be used for.)

Here are a couple of games Pocket Disc recommends, but the best part is: you can make up all the games you want!

iGolf

If you know how to play Frolf, then you get the idea, but this is indoors.

Standard Rules

  1. Set up your holes around the house (9 or 18).
  2. Holes can be:
    • existing objects, such as ceiling fans, TV, chairs
    • hooks made specifically for iGolf.
  3. Each player starts with their own Phd.
  4. Players rotate who is the First Thrower at each new hole.
  5. The First Thrower for each hole defines:
    • the starting throwing location
    • whether throwers have to touch the hole with their Phd (Touch hole) or get their Phd to land on the hole (Land-on hole).
  6. For Land-on holes, players remove their Phd from the hole once they get it to land on the hole.
  7. Holes can be either Straight shot or Blind:
    • For “straight shot” holes you are throwing from the same position until you hit the hole.
    • For “blind holes” you throw from the spot where your previous throw landed.
  8. Score by counting the number of throws needed to hit or land on the hole. (3 throws on a hole scores a 3; there is no “par”)
  9. Winner at end of the round has the lowest total score.
  10. For a tie on a particular hole the First Thrower on the next hole is the person who has not been First Thrower for longest time.

iGolf Variations

  1. Winner throws . . . . The winner of the previous hole gets to be the first thrower on the next hole.
  2. As you go . . . . there are no predefined holes. The First Thrower makes up the hole and any special rules for that hole.
  3. Land-on Bonus . . . . For a hole where throwers are just hitting the hole, you can subtract two points from your total score if you get your Phd to land on the hole.
  4. All Blind . . . . Set up throwing positions for all holes so that you can’t see the hole from the first throw spot. (You’ll need a spotter in case someone hits the hole from the first throw spot.)
  5. 3 D . . . . Each player has up to 3 different Phd’s in their bag, which they can use interchangeably through the game.
  6. Duck Hunting rules . . . . one or more players can use their Phd’s to knock the thrower’s Phd out of the air to prevent it from hitting or landing on the hole.

Want something else? Here are a few other game recommendations:

Duck Huntin’

Phd – Peacefully hunting ducks. This is a test of your marksmanship which leaves no creature harmed. The object is to knock the ducks — Pocket Discs — from the sky with your own Pocket Disc. Good for both indoors or outdoors.

Pocket Disc Bowling

Line up 10 cups and knock ’em down. Keep score as you would in bowling.

Ceiling Fan Tetherball

Turn the fan off and turn on the frenzied madness. Throw the Pocket Discs at the blades so the fan turns towards your opponent, while your opponent is throwing from the opposite direction to spin the fan the other way. Works great with multiple Pocket Discs but should not be played with more than 2 players.

Bounce and Toss

Best with trampolines with a safety net. Tricks, diving catches, and more laughs with your kids than you can imagine.

Perfect Helicopter Descent

Call your shot and land it. Best when played as a Peaceful Hibernation Depriver – your buddy’s asleep and won’t stir. . . field day – steak on the eye, yamulka shot, the medallion, icing the knee, the cup, the list goes on and on.

Ceiling Fan 500

Spread out around the room, toss a Pocket Disc in the fan and hope it zings your way so you can snag it before your opponent does. Be sure to cover up or protect any delicate items in the room.

Monkey in the Middle

Just like it sounds, but if the Pocket Disc hits the ground the monkey switches with person who made the error, not always the thrower. Great on the trampoline.

Juggle Tossing

One Pocket Disc per person. Toss it to your person and look quick b/c one’s coming your way. Make the pair, triangle, square, etc as close or far as you like.

Solitaire

Toss it as close to the ceiling as you can without touching it. You must catch it to have the toss count.

William Tell

Ever read Caps for Sale with your kids? Stack em high on your head and your buddy tries to knock em off.

Jamb Jam

Try to get the Pocket Disc to slide under the crack in the door when its shut. Careful, avoid a traffic jam.

Pillow Catch

Get a pillow and hold it out in front of you. Your friend gets 20 Pocket Discs and throws them to the player with the pillow with the goal of catching as many as possible on the pillow. Players should stand about 15 feet apart, and the thrower throws the discs in rapid fire. Ellie holds the world record, catching 15 discs on one pillow.