Eugene Recreation is in the process of determining the feasibility of a "SUPs and PUPs” class next year. The class would teach people who paddleboard how to bring their dog on the board, too.
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Stand-Up Paddleboarding uses a board similar to a surfboard, but bigger. The participant stands on the board and, using a long-handled paddle, moves gently around in the water. Dogs can sit or lie down on the “nose” of the board and enjoy the ride. But, if they move too suddenly, they might disrupt the fragile balance their human is keeping and throw them both into the water.
Before staff can offer the class, however, they need answers to some pretty basic issues such as:
1. How many dogs and patrons can fit comfortably in a Recreation bus?
2. How to instruct patrons plus their dogs?
3. Dogs and their owners are going to have different levels of comfort, how do we address this possible challenge?
If these issues are resolved, expect Recreation to offer beginning, intermediate and canine paddleboarding next year.