Rack it, Stack it, Lock it

Keep your board safe and secure with Dockslocks and Kanulock Locking Straps.  Or maybe you need some protection to keep it away from the elements? Here are a few things to keep your board(s) safe and secure.

Locking Straps & Locks: Kanulock straps can be used on the top of your vehicle racks or other places where you can lock up your board.  They include two sets of keys and come in a variety of lengths.  Simple and easy to use.

SUP Board Bags: Storing and traveling with your board inside a Board Bag will keep it away from the elements (wind, rain, heat, flying rocks).  Great for traveling and storage.
– > Available in a variety of styles and prices:

• Vamo – Board Sleeves – Keep harmful UV Rays off your board.
• FCS Classic Bags – Basic protection for boards up to 11’6
• Docklocks – To lock your board up at the beach, on your vehicle, etc
• Red Paddle Inflatable Locks

Storage Racks: Store your board in the garage, house or wherever you have space.  Keeps it way from getting bumped, scratched, etc.

– > Try the VAMO Rack –

To see our what’s in stock, visit our ONLINE STORE (Click the Banner below).

Rail Trail Bike Rentals

Rent a bike and ride the amazing Okanagan Rail Trail. Our shop is located at the start of the trail and if you book online, you’ll be all set for your lakeside pedal adventure.

BOOK our bikes and e-bikes online now. If you are looking to book larger groups (6 or more)>Email Us:  Click Here for group rates.

HOW TO RENT OUR BIKES?  Book Online (Recommended) or drop-in on our days open. (please note we are not able to take telephone reservations)

Our

About the The Okanagan Rail Trail – with a total length of 50 km starting at the north end of Kalamalka Lake (Kalavida and the Rail Trail Cafe) and ending at the center of Okanagan Lake, downtown Kelowna. With a maximum grade of 1.3%, biking or walking the trail is a breeze.

Learn more about the trail here –

Inflatable SUP Specialist

Inflatate and Go!  Want the ultimate portable SUP solution?  Maybe an inflatable paddleboard package is the best option for you.  If you are space challenged or have a vehicle without a roof rack, an inflatable board kit can be stored in the trunk or backseat with ease.

Inflatable boards are light to carry, easy to store, and the perfect solution for adventurous travelers and those who live in condos / apartments / VW Vans but still want a good performing board.

Red Paddle has now taken portability to a new level with their Compact Inflatable kits.

* Featured board * Red Paddle  Compact Inflatable Packages

We have the widest range of Inflatables in the province

• Red Paddle
• Twin Fish
• Starboard
• Fanatic
• Jobe

Watch Red Paddle’s Inflatable Construction video here – (worth the watch)

See them all here-

Inflatable Tech 101:  What about the thickness of a board?

• 4″ thick boards are best for lightweight paddlers and perform better in the surf
• 4.75″ to 6″ thick boards offer more flotation, stiffness and the ability handle more weight (think gear, kids, dogs, etc.)

One stop SUP Shop

We stock just about everything you’ll need including soft racks, locking straps, board bags, rack pads, paddles, SUP wheels, leashes and more. Here’s a peek at what we have available – click the banner below to visit our online shop.

Accessories for SUP:

• SUP Board Bags: FCS, Twin Fish, Starboard, Jobe, Infinity
• Dry Bags: Dakine, NRS, RED Paddle, Jobe
• SUP Leashes: FCS, Dakine, Vamo, Twin Fish, RED Paddle, Starboard, Jobe, NRS
• Locking Straps (For locking your board to your roof rack, etc)
• Paddle blade covers and paddle bags
• Patch Kits
• Rail Tape (Clear tape for rails of your board)
• Soft Rack Pads (in case you don’t have a roof rack)
• Tail Gate Pads
• Fins (replacements, recreational, touring & race)
• Fin Pins & Screws
• Water Shoes: Jobe, NRS
• Pumps: Single Chamber, Double Chamber, Electric Pumps
• PFDs: Mustang, Onyx, NRS
• SUP Wheels
• And much more!

Accessories for the Beach:

• Flip-Flops: Reef, Rip Curl
• Sunscreen: Sun Bum, Zinka, All Good
• Towels
• Frisbees, Waboba Water Toys, Footballs
• Sunglasses (Pit Viper & Knockaround), Straw Hats, Beach Bags, Chums sunglass retainers, & Seawag waterproof phone cases!
• Retro VW model Surf Vans

And there’s more – From beach themed stickers to Puravida jewlery. Come check us out for the newest surf fashion and the newest in SUP gear; we have you covered for all things under the sun! 

2022: Return of the Hardboard

Hard board SUPS (also known as composite or solid) have been difficult to find due in large part from disruptions in the supply chain and various material shortages.  But, there is good news as they are slowly making a return this year and we already have a collection of great all-round and touring shapes in stock.

Inflatable boards will always be an option but there are some benefits to the classic hard board.

Are they different from Inflatable boards? 
Yes, and both types have their place in the SUP world. Hard boards typically provide a more ‘solid’ feel for the paddler and they track straighter and smoother. Built around a foam core, hard boards use a variety of materials including fiberglass, epoxy, wood, and even molded plastic.

Here’s a quick Q & A to help you decide

Is a hardboard better for stiffness and ride?
Yes, and that is based on the fact they use solid materials and not air for stiffness.  Hardboards will glide and track better on the water as they have been designed by a ‘shaper’ who has has designed the rails, contours and overall shape tomaximize the efficiency in the water.

Is a hardboard heavier?
Yes, often they are but compared to an inflatable board of high quality (Red, Starboard, Twin Fish), the difference in weight might only be 2-5lbs. Most all-round hardboards weigh between 23-26lbs. 

How do I transport a Hard board?
You’ll need one of the following:  Roof racks, soft roof racks or pickup truck.  If you are considering a hardboard, we stock soft roof rack systems (FCS, Vamo) that can be used for shorter distance travels.  See below for a typical example of two boards stacked.


Are they easy to repair?
In most cases, yes. Small dings and scratches are more common and they don’t require much attention (unless you are very serious about the cosmetic look of the board).  If you manage to put a small hole or cut into the board, they can be repaired by most fiberglass repair shops (we have a great one in Vernon) and they repair costs are reasonable.

Are there any inflatable SUPs that are almost as stiff?
Yes, Red Paddle has their Elite Series with stiffening rods on the deck and Starboard has their Airline All-Star series.

Starboard Waterline – A Flatwater Flyer

Smooth, fast and quiet.  If you like the flat water paddling sensation with a super smooth glide, the new Starboard Waterline is the perfect board for you.

Features:

• Recessed standing area – improves stability with less water on deck
• 2-in-1 Shoulder Strap – For easy transport or storing your paddle
• Bungie Tie Downs on recessed deck area

As newer shape to the Starboard quiver, the Waterline is designed as a specialised flat-water touring paddle board, perfect for our lakes and rivers in Canada. The 2021 Waterline promises the smoothest and most relaxing paddling sensation in conditions up to shin high chop.

A shape focused on achieving maximum speed and stability with no splash or sound. At 75% speed this hull is faster than our race boards, so in essence, for most riders, it’s the quickest ride ever.

3 Sizes / 2 Constructions (Lite Tech and Blue Carbon)

How to Choose a Paddleboard

Welcome to the wide world of standup paddleboards! Here is our basic guide to help you understand which board is the right one for you (or your family, friend, relationship, etc). There is both art and science in choosing a board so this guide will serve to provide you with the basic information to point you in the right direction. To further narrow down your search, drop by the shop or call and our staff will be happy to help.

Experienced Crew (since 2009): Our shop was established in 2009 when the sport was still new in Canada – We are on the water through all seasons and bring years of experience to the conversation. We only work with SUP and Surf brands who are dedicated to growing our current and future water lovers. Our mission has always been to build strong community of water lovers to promote the sport so that it grows deep roots in the region (and across the country). Okay, let’s get going…

There are two types of general shapes (and then a variety of sub-categories within);

Planing Hull – Often referred to as an ‘All-Rounder’ type of board, it’s basic shape looks like an oversize surf longboard, but there’s more to it’s design than meets the eye.
By Activity: Recreational cruising, surfing, river running, fishing, yoga

Displacement Hull – They have a thicker nose and rails that allow them to maintain their speed in all types of water conditions more efficiently. If you want more ‘performance’ (speed and glide), a board from this category might be the best choice.
By Activity: Fast flatwater cruising, fitness, racing, touring, rivers (flat), fishing.

WHICH LENGTH IS RIGHT?  BY ACTIVITY:

VOLUME GUIDE: HOW WIDTH, LENGTH & THICKNESS WORK

CONSTRUCTIONS:
At the core of each board is a thick piece of foam and there are many types including EPS (expanded polystyrene ), Polystyrene and Polyurethane. What is most important is how the board is built around the foam (resins, fiberglass, carbon, etc) and there are many types of construction (sandwich, molded, hand-finished, and more). To get a better idea of what’s inside each board, check out the brand’s website.

INFLATABLE BOARDS:
Advancements in technology have made inflatable boards much stiffer, stronger and lighter. That’s great news for anyone who wants to travel with a board, who doesn’t want to transport it on the roof of their vehicle and for those with limited storage space. They can range in size from 8′ to 14′ for recreational paddling, touring and even racing.

Sizing basics:

– 4″ Thick Boards – Better for lighter paddlers, surfing, and some river paddling. The thinner rail will surf better but a heavier person will flex the board too much.

– 4.5″-6″ Thick Boards – Better for medium to heavier paddlers or anyone who wants the extra volume. They allow paddlers to carry gear, kids and float higher in the water. Downside: They won’t surf as well as the 4″ thick board and will weight an extra pound or two.

BRANDS – WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT:
There is no doubt we live in a society that is dominated by ‘brand’ named merchandise. The basic concept is to provide you with the confidence that you can trust a specific brand for a range of values (quality, flair, cutting-edge design, etc). What does that mean for us as a consumer?  That typically means you can find better dealer support, better warranty support and ongoing product development.

Is an expensive board actually better value?   The word ‘value’ is different for each of us as consumers. Starboard and Fanatic, for example, have a long history of building all types of boards so they can be counted on for consistent quality and warranty support – This is important when you are looking for long-term value.

For inflatables, Red Paddle (now with a 5 year warranty) has focused their efforts on building better inflatables while some of the newer brands that focus solely on SUP boards (Starboard, Twin Fish) are investing in the growth of the sport by supporting events (kids programs, events). This helps develop the necessary roots for the sport so that you’re board will have a strong ‘resale’ value in 2, 5, and even 10 years.

Direct-to-Consumer Brands: There are plenty of ‘knock-offs’ now on the market so be wary of the direct-to-consumer brands.  We have seen many of them pop up, only to disappear in short time – That leaves you without product support and warranty.

This trend happened when Snowboarding exploded into the mainstream – today only a handful of those brands remain and they are the ones who invested back into the sport and supported their dealers and customers.

Donation helps keep Kal Lake Blue

Kalavida Surf Shop is proud to announce a donation to help keep Kalamalka Lake Blue. After another great season of paddleboarding on the lake, a $2,300 cheque was presented to SPKL – The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake, to help the group continue their efforts to protect our drinking water source.

The funds raised come from a variety events including Wahine Wednesdays, Junior JUP, and the Kalamalka Classic SUP Festival – The annual gathering of paddleboard enthusiasts every Labour Day weekend. “It’s been exciting to watch the sport grow and for Kalamalka to gain recognition as a top paddleboard destination” said Kevin O’Brien of Kalavida. “And with that growth in traffic, we felt it was natural for us to help protect our watery playground.” he adds.

With the increased threat to our waterways from Zebra and Quagga Mussels, SPKL will have more resources to help educate the public about how devastating this could be to Kalamalka or any of our local lakes.

“Our events and activities have helped establish Vernon as a destination for the sport so with that increase in activity, we felt it was our responsibility to take a proactive approach” said Michelle Mitchell of Kalavida. “Our shop is across from Kalamalka Beach and that allows us to monitor it each day throughout the busy months.” The donation helps the Society pay for a variety of tests and activities that help keep the lake healthy and safe. The local watershed is popular for all types of local recreation and acts as a source of drinking water for residents in the region.

The SUP community as a whole continues to dedicate efforts to a variety of environmental causes – A group that includes two of Kalavida’s friends; Bob Purdy (Paddle for the Planet) and Norm Hann (Standup for Greatbear). The 8^th Annual Kalamalka Classic SUP Festival is scheduled for Sept 1-3rd and will serve as a primary fundraiser for SPKL in 2017. For more details about SPKL and Kalavida, visit their websites at www.spkl.ca and www.kalavidasurfshop.com