Buy Local

No, this isn't a column on food -- it really is about standup paddling.

If you're like most people, you like shopping online. I love browsing the websites of standup paddling shops, looking at their gear, fantasizing about what to buy. If the four standup paddleboards I own (well, one is my wife's), three have been purchased from online shops. While it meant I didn't 't have to pay NYS sales tax except for my last purchase, it did mean a $100 shipping fee.

There were no SUP shops in my area when I started out, but in the last few years there are now at least four. Yet in my last purchase I again went online to look for a board. Never again.

The first reason is that shipping is a drag. My Marlin arrived with some damage, and my wife, who received the box missed it. Fortunately it was a small, easily-repairable hole, but the point is that I did not get a new, pristine board. The fact that it was shipped from Florida made the whole problem much more cumbersome to solve. I've been paddling it fine now, but this was a problem that really shouldn't have happened. It would not have happened if I bought the board from a local dealer. I could have personally inspected and guaranteed the board's condition with a local dealer then taken it home.

The second reason is a local economy one. If you want a healthy local ecosystem for your sport, you need to put some money into it. That's the only way a business will survive.

Next, which is more nebulous, you want to have a good relationship with a dealer. He/she can do things for you nobody else can. He can let you demo boards, which is a great thing to do before you buy. A dealer can do repairs (like on a slightly perforated Exocet Marlin). A dealer can help organize events, which is an excellent thing that increases paddling awareness in your area.

Dealers are also great places to get lessons. A good SUP dealer is usually skilled enough to give a class or has contacts for local teachers. Again, this is improving your own paddling community.

In short, make your local dealer your first step for you paddling needs.

Here are some SUP businesses in my area:

Standup Motion -- Jefferson Valley/Lake Oceola
www.standupmotion.net

East Coast Surf Products  -- Larchmont, NY
www.eastcoastsurfproducts.com

SUPR Adventures -- Island Park, NY

www.supradventures.com

Down Under Kayaking -- Westport, CT
www.downunderct.com

Paddlehead Boards -- Athens, NY
http://paddleheadboards.com

Before you try to get the cheapest price for something retail, check these dealers out. Even if their prices are slightly higher, that will be more than made up in customer service. Sometimes they can even make some good deals.