© Canyoning in the Dachstein Salzkammergut (Photo: Outdoor Leadership)
© Canyoning in the Dachstein Salzkammergut (Photo: Outdoor Leadership)
A group of people canyoning in the Dachstein Salzkammergut (Photo: Outdoor Leadership)

Watersports
im Dachstein Salzkammergut

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Stand up Paddling

One of the newest water sports is “Stand up Paddling”. You stand on a surf board and use a canoe paddle to move across the water.  This is something that should be on everyone’s to-do list! You can explore the lakes and rivers of the Dachstein Salzkammergut holiday region by “SUP”. Here we will explain what you do, how and where.

How does Stand up Paddling work?

You will be faster or slower on the Stand up Paddle board depending on how good your sense of balance is.  What is important is that you start your SUP career in calm waters and approach things without fear or apprehension. Lake Hallstatt and the Gosau Lake are particularly suitable for beginners. They are easy to access, are calm and offer beautiful mountain panoramas, unspoilt nature and fresh air. All this and a sense of peace.

 

Tips for practising techniques without getting wet at the start:

SUP Dry training

(Note: If the SUP has a fin above to the rear you must first take it down, otherwise it will break)

SUP Board Feeling: Stand roughly in the middle of the board with your legs wide, knees bent slightly and take the paddle in your hand. This gives an idea of what it is like to stand on the board.   

The correct length of the SUP: Place the paddle upright in front of your foot. Grab the middle of the paddle with your left hand, and with your right hand hold the handle up. The right arm should not be fully extended. The length is now perfect. We recommend a height-adjustable paddle so that your friends and family can use it too.  

Good technique: You must paddle to the left and to the right. When you want to bear left, grab the middle of the paddle with your left hand and, with your right hand, hold the handle at the top of the paddle. First press your left hand forwards and slightly upwards, then press the paddle forwards and downwards with your right hand. Then you have made your first move. If you then want to paddle to the right, first with your right hand reach into the middle of the paddle, and then with your left hand, take hold of the handle at the top and paddle as previously described.

All set to go? Let’s take to the water!

The following photo gallery can be navigated with the arrow keys (left, right).

SUPing in the water

  • Step on to your Stand up Paddle Board: Get into the water next to your stand up paddle board and place your SUP paddle across to the board into the front 1/3.   Now kneel initially on the board, but in the correct position as explained before. 
  • Getting up is scary: Paddle out a bit so that if you fall in you won’t fall into the shallow water. Lay both hands on the paddle in front of you and then get up carefully, first with one foot and then with the other and take the SUP paddle with you.  
  • Getting your balance: Balance yourself properly. TIP: Keep calm if the stand up paddle board wobbles a bit. If you don’t the board will wobble more and you will end up in the water. So: Keep your cool.

 

Stand as described on the board and start paddling. Have fun exploring the water!

 

Which sort of Stand up Paddle Board is better: Inflatable or solid?

Inflatable boards, inflatable SUPs (or iSUPs for short) have two advantages over the solid ones: they are easier to transport and cost less.

We can clear up an urban myth here: that inflatable SUPs are like air mattresses and don’t last as long. Far from it! The materials used in the manufacturing of stand up paddle boards are so good that the shell also withstands rocks and sharp stones.

The advantages of the hardboard versions are that there is no need for inflation. This can be quite energy and time–consuming. They have a greater robustness, and they have a longer life-time, as well as being more stable. Problems with transportation, storage and higher purchase prices are clear disadvantages.

Suggestion: Try out both types of stand up paddle board and decide which sort you would find more fun to own.

 

Where can I hire a Stand up Paddle Board in the Dachstein Salzkammergut?

If you don’t have your own SUP or it’s not practical to bring it with you, there are two places in the Dachstein Salzkammergut holiday Region where you can hire a stand up paddle board.

Contact & Service

Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut
Kirchengasse 4
4822 Bad Goisern

Phone +43 5 95095
Fax machine +43 5 95095-74
E-Mail info@dachstein-salzkammergut.at

 

Don’t hesitate to contact the team of local guides for any questions about the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut.

SUP rental stations

Hallstatt

Boat rental Krumböck/Schwarzmayr

See Hallstatt in an unique way and enjoy the panorama directly from the boat on the Lake Hallstatt. Holiday enjoyment from the lakesideWith our electric boats, rowing boats and pedal boats you can enjoy steering a boat across the fjord-like Lake…

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Gosau

Boat rental Gosau

Explore the beautiful landscape of the Gosausee from the water Water sports with a famous photo motif in viewFrom June to the beginning of September you can rent electric boats, pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards from us and enjoy the Lake…

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Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee

Canoe - kajak - SUP board rental Gschwendtner

While canoeing, sea kayaking or stand up paddling at Lake Hallstatt you can enjoy the mountain panorama and see the picturesque villages Bad Goisern, Hallstatt and Obertraun from the lake. The rental company Gschwendtner provides you with the right…

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