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Comments: we headed down south for three days of paddling and exploring, however, the conditions were challenging our chances of a leisurely paddle. The wind was howling from the SW, which made many of our potential south-coast locations unrideable. Luckily, we remembered that Frenchman’s Bay faced north-east, so headed off in that direction. The whole bay is just gorgeous, aqua coloured water and the iconic granite rocks of the south west. We chose Goode Beach as our SUP location, as its position made for offshore winds. The white sand and crystal-clear water makes for super pleasant paddling. We could see sting rays and small schools of fish swimming below, which was awesome. There are other locations around the bay, including just outside of Whale World. We will be back! 
Comments: there are a heap of lakes, rivers, dams and filled in ex-coal mines in the area around Collie. Some spots allow you to camp on the banks while others camping is prohibited. Some spots are small enough for canoes, kayaks and SUPs while others are populated with powerboats and jet skis.  Written by Tom Lenane |
| Water body: river Location: Shelley Beach Park, Riverton Drive North, Shelley. Canning River. Time of year: we paddle here all months of the year, but it is most popular during summer months. Winter will often produce mirror-like conditions and low winds. Conditions: consistently favourable, the location suits light winds, although even on a windy day there are places to paddle that are more protected from the wind. Check BoM or Seabreeze websites for weather and conditions.  Style of SUP session: anything from a cruise, fun with the kids to an endurance river exploration. SUP squad: Sunset Stand Up Paddle and some regulars like Mike, Michelle and Tom Boards used: Starboard Whopper ASAP 10’ x 34” These boards are available for hire on site over summer months each Saturday and Sunday, as are one and two-hour lessons. |  Skill level required: a fantastic spot for beginners in the bay NE of the jetty, although windy conditions can challenge even the strongest of paddlers. A challenging, yet enjoyable paddle for intermediate to advanced paddlers is the return trip from Shelley Beach Park to Canning Bridge.  Pros: The area is generally free from power boats, ski boats and jet skis which makes it a safe area to paddle. Dolphins swim by regularly, so it is highly likely that you may see one or two. The water quality in this part of the river is surprisingly good. If you like local history, you can paddle out to the remains of the old convict bridge, which was constructed between 1866 and 1897. Considerations: sometimes parking can be a problem because of community events, such as Parkrun etc, but quite often you will find a spot with ease. It is a small walk from parking to the river’s edge, so take care of large groups of cyclists on the road and footpath traffic near the river when unloading and transporting your board. |
Comments: it is amazing how people can live in a small town like Perth for their entire lives and still find locations that they have never been to. That is the most common statement we hear from visitors to Shelley Beach Park. It is such a lovely, untouched spot that provides beautiful scenery of the Canning River, city views and a wide-open parkland. Sometimes it is so quiet here that you wonder if you are on holiday out of town.
Onsite, there is a toilet block, BBQs, a playground, a gazebo, lots of big shady trees and a small jetty that are popular with kids and families. We see dolphins here all of the time. It is so special how close they come up to you, sometimes right underneath our boards! The area is blessed with an abundance of birdlife too. There is a lovely café, called the Tribute Café, nearby for a cuppa or breakkie/lunch after a paddle.
Onsite, there is a toilet block, BBQs, a playground, a gazebo, lots of big shady trees and a small jetty that are popular with kids and families. We see dolphins here all of the time. It is so special how close they come up to you, sometimes right underneath our boards! The area is blessed with an abundance of birdlife too. There is a lovely café, called the Tribute Café, nearby for a cuppa or breakkie/lunch after a paddle.
| Water body: ocean, protected by an offshore reef Location: Lucky Bay (between Geraldton and Kalbarri), approx. 550km North of Perth Time of year: Early June  Conditions: light easterly winds, mid 20s degrees, the ocean was like a pond! Style of SUP session: ocean cruise and float |  SUP squad: Mike, Shell Boards used: Mirage 11' x 32 foam soft tops Skill level required: beginner Pros: protected paddling and swimming area, pristine water. Great spot for a raft up and a bevvie! Considerations: It is accessible by 4WD, however, if you choose to explore up the coast, make sure your tyres are let down and you go in a convoy for safety. Southerly winds are prevalent for a large portion of the year here (particularly in summer) so take care that you don’t get blown away from your base. This part of WA has some hardcore prevailing winds, so take care when paddling in the ocean. |
Comments: we absolutely love it at Lucky Bay. Due to the reef that runs parallel to the shore, there is an amazing protected area to swim, paddle, snorkel, fish, kite- it is a special place. If you choose to camp in the area, please make sure you take your rubbish with you, it breaks my heart when I see these pristine locations covered in shattered glass or trash. We scored amazing weather for this trip considering that it is usually a very windy location. At one point, the ocean looked like a pond. We are super keen to get back there.
| Water body: ocean Location: Warroora Station, 1100 km North of Perth, directly in between Carnarvon and Exmouth. Time of year: Mid July. Conditions: light easterly winds, 25 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Style of SUP session: coastal exploration and surf. SUP squad: Mike and Shell. Boards used: Starboard Whopper ASAP 10’ x 34” Skill level required: beginner. |  Pros: there is beautiful, white sand, clean, aqua-coloured water, plenty of sunshine and wide open spaces that really make you forget the city. Many of the spots to SUP in Warroora are protected by an outer reef that create some calm pockets of water. Fishing, snorkelling and surfing opportunities. Considerations: Warroora is a wilderness camping area, so there is no available water and only a small shop at the caretaker's shack that has basic necessities. The closest town is Coral Bay. Most of Warroora requires 4WD access, so take care there. As usual, on the West Australian coast, take care in windy conditions that can blow you away from your base.  |
Comments: what an amazing spot! As you can see from the video and pictures, the colour of the water and the sand is brilliant. We love being able to explore around coastal areas on our SUPs. The bay that we launched in and explored was called 'The Lagoon', which is a popular camping area for families. There are many awesome spots along this coastal station to explore on your SUP and there are three notable surf breaks. Mike went out at South Boundary and caught some fun waves. If you have a boat, you up your chances of scoring some quality fish.
If you wish to stay at Warroora, you need to visit the caretaker' office before setting up camp, pay a minimal fee and bring in all of your own food, water, firewood (if fires are permitted) and a chemical toilet. For more information about Warroora Station, click here.
If you wish to stay at Warroora, you need to visit the caretaker' office before setting up camp, pay a minimal fee and bring in all of your own food, water, firewood (if fires are permitted) and a chemical toilet. For more information about Warroora Station, click here.
| Style of SUP session: chilled cruise/ downwind in between board hire at a local festival SUP squad: Mike, Shell, Tom, half of the kids from the Yealering/Wickepin area Boards used: Starboard Whopper ASAP 10’ x 34”, Starboard Astro wide point inflatable 10'5 x 32", Starboard Explorer inflatable 11'2 x 40", Starboard Whopper inflatable 10' x 35" Skill level required: intermediate due to the windy conditions, otherwise beginners will be fine on the lake. |
| Water body: lake Location: Lake Yealering, Yealering, 30km NE of Wickepin, 250km SE of Perth, in the wheat belt Time of year: End October Conditions: howling westerly winds, 22 degrees, plenty of water in the lake  |  Pros: the lake is right alongside the township. The small foreshore makes for an easy launch area, with a toilet block, BBQ and jetty onsite making the experience even more enjoyable. With so much water on the lake, there was the potential for a nice, long explore of the area and viewing of local birdlife. Considerations: Lakes in the wheatbelt area often do not have much water in them, so always call ahead to see what the water levels are like. With such windy conditions, it was so easy to be blown down river within seconds, so take care if paddling in windy conditions and have a plan if you find yourself in a pickle. |
Comments: This is the most water that Yealering has had in its lake in 27 years! To celebrate, the town threw a Regatta and Market day, where it appeared every man and his dog came to town. And I must say, I was a little jealous of some of the DYI water craft that were getting a run that day; the rubber duckie team sitting on milk crates, the Emu Export bikes on keg and an honourable mention to the Oktoberfest chaps with their picnic table and umbrella.
Mike, Tom and I were busy running mini lessons for the local kids, but during our break, we were able to go for a cruise further out past the jetty. Unfortunately, the winds were blowing a small gale (with gusts up around 40-50km/hr mark) so once we had enough of paddling into the wind, we enjoyed a fast downwind session back to our base. Wonderful day and friendly locals.
Mike, Tom and I were busy running mini lessons for the local kids, but during our break, we were able to go for a cruise further out past the jetty. Unfortunately, the winds were blowing a small gale (with gusts up around 40-50km/hr mark) so once we had enough of paddling into the wind, we enjoyed a fast downwind session back to our base. Wonderful day and friendly locals.
| Water body: ocean Location: Trannie's Beach, Cocos Keeling Island (2932km NW of Perth) Time of year: Mid July Conditions: light winds, 26 degrees, sunshine, warm water.  Style of SUP session: ocean cruise/frolick SUP squad: Mike, Shell, Matt and Liz Boards used:
Skill level required: beginner |  Pros: This is the main swimming beach on West Island, so it is a beautiful spot to take friends, family and kids. You can snorkel here, and the warm, crystal clear waters protected by an outer reef make it a great place to cruise on your SUP. There are shelters, tables and chairs located nearby for lunch/happy hour. Considerations: the tides on Cocos dictate all water activities, so make sure you speak to the island visitors centre or a friendly local for tide and wind information. Trannies beach (named after a nearby communication transmission station) is a 5-10 minute drive north of the main township (which is located near the airport- see map). There are many other locations to flat water sup in the Cocos Keeling islands, which we will post about sometime in the future. From November through May is a weather period called doldrums. During this time frame there is zero wind in the islands, making for amazing suping and photo opportunities everywhere. For more info on Cocos Keeling Islands. |
Comments: I have never experienced anything like Cocos in my life. We were super lucky to have my brother-in-law and his wife living there at the time, so we were set up with accommodation, surfboards, car and a boat (thanks Matt and Liz!). The water is amazing, the marine life was great, the surfing blew my mind and the islands are just magical. I highly recommend visiting Cocos Keeling Islands. For more FREE sup videos, pics, tips and info, click here.
Michelle Lenane
SUP enthusiast from Western Australia.
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