My Story.

Three years ago, I received my first true SUP high from unexpectedly traveling beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. I was planning a basic 45 minute sprint in the calmer Richardson, not San Francisco Bay, to return in time for kickoff of my CLE Browns (don’t judge me) versus the IND Colts.

I had a bottle of wine the night before and launched empty handed, dehydrated, and on an empty belly. The bridge was a siren of sorts that morning. This otherworldly force pulled me in stroke after stroke so I texted my wife to let her know I would be back at halftime or later. Yes, I owed her.

Nearly 3 hours post-text, I returned with wonderful tales of scary fins, currents, large water vessels, fatigue, unbridled joy, bobbing like a piece of fishing tackle, and some shoddy photos documenting the extreme and unexpected 3+ hour tour. Per usual, the Browns lost that day. I did not.

From that day forward, I have deeply appreciated the fulfillment of longer SUP touring trips and the formidable challenges they pose on the body and mind. Mother Nature is always in charge and she creates a new playing field every single day. No longer competing in any true sports (love you yoga but I need more), this is the channel through which I’m pushing myself to explore paths and experiences that most others would not.

F

The Paddlepus Story.

A platypus is a shy and solitary creature. So much so, they do not gather in groups and there is only an informal group name (i.e. a paddle) for the mammal. For the first 3 years of SUPing, I only paddled solo and it’s still my preferred way to be present and fully experience the Bay.

A switch gets flipped when a platypus leaves the banks to hunt underwater for survival. In a blink, it goes from docile to determined. When SUP conditions turn treacherous or the “siren calls”, that transition from chill to a laser like focus is critical to remain safe and on-course.

The intent of my content is to share the beauty I encounter, but also the story of what it takes to complete the journey and get the shots. Happy paddling (or spectating)!

Bryan Porcher

bryan@paddlepus.com