Cooperative Living July 2021 - 24

ExploreMore | by Amanda S. Creasey, Contributing Writer
SUP with Your Pup
What to know and where to go for stand-up paddleboarding
* Along with your dogs' usual
vaccines, discuss the benefits of
the leptospirosis vaccine with
your veterinarian.
* Be aware of harmful algal blooms.
Exposure to HABs can cause serious
illness or death. Signs of a HAB can
include a film on top of the water
that may look like oil or paint.
Stagnant water is more prone to
HABs than flowing or rushing water.
HABs are more common after long
stretches of hot weather or heavy
downpours. If you think your dogs
may have been exposed to a HAB
while on a SUP or any adventure,
prevent them from licking
themselves, rinse them off as soon
as possible and contact your
veterinarian right away.
Once you've prepared yourself and
your pups for your first SUP adventure,
it's time to find some water to explore.
From creeks and rivers to lakes and
bays, Virginia offers a myriad of
waterscapes for paddling.
WHERE TO GO:
LAKES, CREEKS AND RIVERS
IN VIRGINIA
alking, running or hiking
with their dogs is a favorite
activity for most dog owners,
but as the weather warms up, pastimes
involving water become particularly
alluring. Stand-up paddleboarding
can prove a rewarding, enriching and
beneficial activity for humans and
their furry friends.
W
WHAT TO KNOW:
TIPS FOR PADDLEBOARDING
WITH YOUR POOCHES
* Give your dogs a chance to relieve
themselves before getting on the SUP.
If possible, take them for a walk right
before you SUP.
* Bring plenty of water for both
you and your dogs.
* You and your dogs should
flotation devices
Yo
even if
ev
and your dogs should wear
flotation devices at all times -
even if everyone can swim.
ven if everyone can swim.
* Some dogs take to paddleboarding
faster than others. You and your dogs
may need to practice on dry land
22 | Cooperative Living | July 2021
first, followed by short excursions
as your dogs progress.
* Your dogs' motion on the SUP can
change your balance, so be prepared
to compensate for the extra weight
and motion.
* Placing a nonslip pad where you
want your dogs to stay on the board
can help them recognize their spot
on the SUP and help keep their
balance and grip.
* If you plan to SUP in cooler weather,
you may want to invest in a canine
wetsuit. Hot weather might call for
a canine sunsuit with SPF.
* Mak
M sure your dogs heed
Make sure your dogs heed
fundamental commands like " sit, "
" stay, " " down " and " place " on land
before venturing onto the water.
mental commands like " sit, "
down " and " place " on land
nturing onto the water.
Above,Above, Nacho and Soda at
Nacho and Soda at
Windsor Castle Park.
Right and far right, Sadie at
ght
and far right, Sadie at
Pocahontas State Park.
co-opliving.com
Holliday Lake State Park in
Appomattox boasts some of the cleanest
water in the state, offering peace
of mind to paddlers concerned about
water quality. In addition, you and your
leashed dog can explore the 6.7-mile
trail that loops around the lake, leaving
your dog ready for a relaxing paddle on
the water. The calm, clear waters of the
lake are ideal for those new to paddling,
and people without their own boards
can rent them by the hour. Twin Lakes
State Park, Bear Creek Lake State Park
and Pocahontas State Park also offer
similar benefits.
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living July 2021
