Standup Paddle Boarding with a Manta Ray

Written by Janice Redmond

Janice Redmond in Ft. Lauderdale cruising on her Boardworks/Badfish inflatable MCIT alongside a Manta Ray.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Hi Andre and all you SUPr's out there! For an old gal from up North (Maryland), I've been on many yacht's and have met a select few salty sailors, as well as sup'd a variety of paddleboards. From a 14' Bark Expedition, 11' Laird, 10'7" inflatable ShuBu, to the 10'2" WideBody - Boardworks Badfish. That Big Boy (Badfish), as I like to call it, was a completely different experience. In the choppy Atlantic - Ft. Lauderdale, I was able to stay aboard, because that baby plowed through every chop, sailed smoothly over every swell. To be able to relax and strike a few yoga postures was a very calming experience. Only once when a cross chop hit me hard, did I feel the need to kneel. And when I did, the soft center of the Badfish cushioned my fall, not at all like a hardboard.

Yachties truly appreciate inflatables due to storage issues and they don't beat up their million dollar vessels. The week before last was the first time in all of my visits to Florida that Alan and I were able to paddle on the ocean, as it seemed to always be blowing stink previously. On two different paddles, we happened upon a pretty good sized adult Manta Ray and were able to quietly paddle with it for well over 30 minutes, as it glided effortlessly below us, not at all spooked by our presence. Our other paddles produced encounters with Manatees, a mother, with some sad propeller cuts on her back, and her calf!!! About one half hour later 3 adults joined us in the gin clear waters...just shows all the possibilities of SUP from catching shore breaks, heated competition races, inland exploration, to the insane whitewater paddling, all of which is good for the MIND, BODY and SPIRIT !!!!! I can see the BADFISH MCIT being the shining star, and should have its place in running whitewater rivers, as well as in coastal and inland waterways!!! SUP'ing is the best exercise EVER, and it's here to stay!

Janice Redmond