Why I Paddleboard

“You’re going paddleboarding again?”

It’s a question I get asked often. And it’s a valid one. I live in Bend, Oregon where outdoor recreation opportunities are close to endless. Step outside and there’s hiking, rock climbing, fishing, camping, kayaking, trail running, whitewater rafting, backpacking, biking (road, mountain, enduro, cyclocross, gravel, downhill… you get the idea).

With so many options—what is it about paddleboarding that I love so much? Well, it’s my dog, Bowie. He loves paddleboarding.

Like many “street dogs", Bowie had a rough start. The odds were stacked against him. Alone and just a few weeks old, he roamed around a reservation in New Mexico. I’m not exactly sure where he was or what happened to him in those early days, but he has a broken tail and a fear of underpasses to show for it.

Not too long after, he was transported from the reservation to a high-kill shelter in Española, NM where he awaited an unfortunate fate. A kind-hearted couple from Telluride, CO scooped him up in their private plane before he could be euthanized. I never had the chance to meet the couple; they spend their time and money flying around the country rescuing dogs like Bowie. I think that’s pretty admirable.

Initially named Jet because he was so well behaved on the airplane, I spotted him snoozing in the flower bed at an adoption day where I plucked him out and planted him in my life. We’ve shared countless adventures together in the years since.

Bowie’s hiked some of the highest peaks in the Rockies, swam in the waters of Lake Michigan, romped on the beaches of South Carolina, skied along the border of Canada, splashed in the waterfalls of Appalachia, roamed the sandstone deserts of Utah… and on and on…

I think he’s explored more places than most humans do in a lifetime.

Bowie turned 12 this year. He’s no longer up for big hikes. His hips are stiff and sore. He needs recovery time between walks. He doesn’t spring into the back of the Subaru anymore, and let me tell you, lifting up a 65-pound squirmer is no picnic. Fortunately, he’s getting used to it.

These past few years have been all about learning Bowie’s limits—sometimes in the hardest ways (including a search & rescue mission while cross-country skiing, but that’s a story for another time).

We’ve been dialing back and adapting to a slower pace. Monthly vet appointments, senior supplements, and arthritis treatments are the new norm. It’s not easy to see my best friend grow old. But sharing in the activities that he can, and loves to do, is the best way for us to bond in these later years.

Paddleboarding offers the perfect blend of leisure and adventure for a senior dog. Being outside on the paddleboard with his people is Bowie’s favorite outdoor activity—and it’s mine, too.

I wonder what’s going on in his head when he’s looking out across the lake, at the pine trees or the snow-capped mountains. Is he marveling at the incredible natural beauty? Is he reflecting on how lucky he is to spend an afternoon on the water? Maybe he’s contemplating how to sneak up on the birds in the reeds. Most likely, he’s pondering when it’s time for dinner.

What I do know is he lights up when I put the paddleboard on top of the car. He stands there patiently waiting to be picked up and placed in the backseat. And once we arrive, he makes a beeline to the water, plopping down with the biggest grin on his face.

Thanks for reminding me to slow down and find joy in the simple moments, Bowie. You’ve taught me multitudes about courage, curiosity, optimism, and passion. Ultimately, you’ve helped me discover how powerful love can be.

I think if we all strive to be a little more like our dogs—the world would be a better place (especially if that means getting outside to paddleboard more often).