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JUL/AUG 2019
SUPPAUL| PLACES|
BY NEIL KORN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUPPAUL BY JUDY SHASEK
THE DUFFLE BAG PADDLE BOARDER
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SUMMERTIME PADDLES
Paul Clark is SUPPAUL, the “duffle bag paddleboarder.” Hav-
ing worked in the outdoor industry over 25 years, Paul has
been an Outward Bound instructor, ski patroller & avalanche
rescue dog handler, and sea kayak guide. He has kayaked the
1,000 mile length of Baja’s Sea of Cortez twice, both times as
solo expeditions.
Since taking up stand up paddleboarding he has had little
incentive to sit down in a boat. Adventure paddleboarding has
been his obsession now for about six years, doing multi-day
SUP trips and running whitewater. He has been fortunate to
align with brands who have supported international SUP trips
to places like Japan, Panama, New Zealand, and Patagonia.
The Deschutes remains one of his favorite rivers to paddle.
Big Eddy rapids is where he was self taught, and named the
signature Kialoa whitewater paddle after the Big Eddy. He has
paddled the 100-mile section on the Lower Deschutes in a
16 hour push. The Bend whitewater park is where he enjoys
honing his skills in the rapids and waves.
As a rep and media house for a paddleboard brand, he lives
mainly in a big white van down by the river, chasing rivers, pad-
dling on expeditions, and hosting clinics.
www.suppaul.com
#suppaul
When the crew at Stand on Liquid is not working with customers to get them on the
perfect board, they are out paddling themselves. When they get together for a beer at
one of Central Oregon’s many breweries these are some of the paddling adventures that
come out.
Elk Lake is just 30 minutes from town and the drive has a bonus. You can stop at pictur-
esque Devil’s Lake for a quick circumnavigation of this pocket of pristine aqua beauty on
the way. Elk Lake beckons with its many bays, beaches and “chicken skin” views of snow-
peaked Mt Bachelor and South Sister. At Elk Lake Resort, you’ll find a Norman Rockwell
scene of family fun – along with ice cream and supplies, accommodations and dining
on the deck. The water here is in the mid 60’s most of the summer, warmer than most
lakes so it’s a perfect place to splash, be a kid again or practice your tail turns. Saturdays
bring live music at Elk Lake Resort. You can check out their full schedule of fun at http://
elklakeresort.net/events/.
Not even a ten-minute drive from Elk Lake is Hosmer Lake with a wide, easy access put-
in where the deep greens of the water lilies contrasting with the gin clear water abundant
with trout and Atlantic Salmon. Meandering among the many waterways will lead you
to discover secret little waterfalls and the wide expanse of the lake. If you explore to
the right just past the cattails and water lilies listen for gurgling water. Head that way to
explore some small falls. Bearing left in the open lake keep your eyes peeled for eagles
– and the small entrance to the most pristine creek flowing straight off the snow-melt
backside of Mt Bachelor. Your reward will be one of the coolest treks upstream ever, an-
other sweet waterfall and a sleigh-ride downstream back to the lake itself. Enjoy this brief
video tour of Hosmer at: https://elder-sup.com/tag/lake-hosmer/
Drive about twenty minutes south of Bend on Highway 97 and you’ll enter a volcanic
wonderland that includes Paulina Lake. Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed cra-
ter, or “caldera” of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles
the basins of Paulina Lake, and its twin, East Lake. It’s fun to drive up to the summit
Paulina Peak before your paddle and take in the geology and the view. You can feel the
geologic history of Central Oregon by exploring the nearby obsidian flow.
Paulina Lake has a maximum depth of 250 feet and average depth of 163 feet and 7.5
miles of inlets, hot springs and regal forested shoreline to explore. Wait, did we mention
“hot springs?” This fairly hidden area is yours to discover if you poke around the cove on
the far side of the lake. On the way you will revel in the turquoise and blues sparkling
under your board. Decades of erosion along Paulina Creek carved a gorge in the crater’s
west wall, creating picturesque Paulina Falls. After your paddle, the falls are a great way
to kick back and reflect on the fun.
Waldo Lake requires a bit more driving, and you may be tempted to peek at Odell and
Crescent Lake on the way. If you only have time for one lake in this area hold on until
you reach Waldo Lake. It rivals Crater Lake as the second clearest. At Waldo you can
see to depths of 130 feet. The deep blue waters remind us of the Caribbean, Cabo or
Hawaii, depending on your point of reference. In Shadow Bay, it is so clear that you’ll
be practically hypnotized watching your shadow paddling along beside you on the clean
sandy bottom. Beaches abound on all sides of the lake providing for endless exploring. A
favorite summer day adventure can begin at the North Campground by the Horse Camp.
Paddle a counter-clockwise path through rocky outcroppings toward a scree bank on
the far shore. Once there you’ll discover little coves and great places for a swim. For the
long distance paddler: You can create a 10-15 mile loop around the shoreline of the lake
making it longer or shorter depending on how many of the coves call your name.
The Deschutes River has many personalities, the most well-known is the portion of the
river that winds through Bend and the Old Mill area. You can paddle up and down stream
loops or enjoy the downstream passage where a shuttle will return you back to your car.
Whether you enjoy whitewater SUP or not, be sure to spend time at the exciting Bend
Whitewater Park. http://www.bendparksandrec.org/bend-whitewater-park/ If you have
time, you might want to explore lesser known areas of the Deschutes River.
Drive south to Sunriver and take the road to Harper Bridge. There is parking and river ac-
cess on both sides of the street. Once in the water, enjoy a downstream paddle for about
a mile. You will see a tributary of exquisitely clear water off to your left. Go in to Spring
Creek where the current is minimal and the gin clear water will dazzle you for as long as
Pat Calavan paddling the Crooked River near Smith Rock
P: Austin White
you choose to explore. Once you decide to return upstream to your car, you will find the
paddle easiest if you stay close to the reeds on river right. As a bonus, you’ll get a sense
of the wonders of wetlands with all of its diverse bird life.
For another spectacular, flatwater adventure on the Deschutes River just travel 7.9 miles
west on Cascade Lakes Highway (46), then 2.6 miles south on Forest Road 41. At
this junction, there are signs to direct you to Dillon Falls and a parking area. Once you
put your board in BE SURE to paddle upstream to the right – away from Dillon Falls.
For about 3 miles there are fifteen bends in the river with wetland, forest, meadow and
mountain views at each turn. Toward the end of this route you will begin to feel stronger
current coming your way. You can paddle into this as far as the out flow of Benham Falls,
or simply turn around. On the way back downstream on river right about half way back
keep your eyes open for a narrow path in the reeds. About 50 feet in along this path you
will discover a secret, wide open lake spanning approximately 3 acres of natural wonder.
There are some deep holes, many say they are “bottomless.” Glassy water, water birds and
serenity will be all yours.
Many people visiting Central Oregon enjoy the diverse hikes available at Smith Rock, a
world-renowned rock climbing mecca. Fewer have taken the opportunity to paddle the
Crooked River meandering around its base. Making a run in the majestic area combines
the best of sights both on and off the water. There are plenty of beaches for a picnic
along the way.