If you want to get better at SUP- Go to Pilates

I just went to my first class in Kings Beach with Tahoe Pilates Co. I found out about the class from my friend, and one of their instructors, Sarah Callaham. The class is taught just off the shore of King’s Beach on your own stand up paddle board, or one supplied by them.

Once on the water, Sarah wastes no time getting you warmed up and focused on engaging your core. You can tell how strong Sarah is the moment you see her, and her friendly, no-stress demeanor makes any novice feel a little more confident.

Weighted buckets are clipped onto your board in order to keep you and your board in place so you can focus on the movements. Students may be concentrating so intently listening to Sarah that it’s easy to forget you are floating on the lake! Descriptions from Sarah - like pretending you have porcupine sitting in your lap - keep you in the proper position, as well as keeping the morning atmosphere fun. The threat of a chilly, unintentional morning dip is also good motivation to stay on the board.

I began paddle boarding about two months ago, and I can feel how much it has helped me gain strength in my upper body. I’ve always been a lower body athlete (skiing, soccer, mountain biking) and the discovery of SUP has helped me to become a more well-rounded athlete. Lately I’ve been having some lower back pain, caused I believe by improper paddle technique. I’ve been over compensating with my back muscles while paddling instead of engaging my entire core. Sarah’s SUP Pilates class demonstrated to me how weak my abdominal muscles currently are, and how to engage them appropriately to paddle better down the road.

After class I paddled to Speed Boat Beach and I could immediately feel the benefits of Sarah’s class. When you have learned to function for so long without entirely engaging your core, it’s good to get a reminder on how to fire those muscles. Any Pilates class will help you become a better athlete.

If you are interested in taking a class with Sarah or any Pilates class to increase your core strength, check out  www.tahoepilatiesco.com for the schedule or come check out the yoga and fitness classes run by the Start Haus on Friday nights at www.onboardsup.com

- Quincy is a Start Haus sponsored stand up paddle board racer, and works at the Start Haus selling boards, kayaks and skis.