Community group gets people standing ... on paddleboards

For Tamara Colaizzi, there’s no better place than on her board and in the water.

"It makes me calm and happy," she said. "It’s just my favourite place to be.”

Calaizzi, the founder of Blue Motion Fitness in Guelph, is behind an effort to expand interest in stand up paddle boarding (SUP), in part by offering free lessons aimed at introducing people to the activity’s fitness, fun and friendship benefits.

SUP is a water sport born from surfing with modern roots in Hawaii. Paddle boarders stand on boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.

“I want fitness to be accessible. And one of the biggest things is that people almost feel like they already have to be fit before they attend a class. And that’s the opposite of what I want. I want people to feel stronger,” Colaizzi said.

“I don’t talk about losing weight or looking better. It’s none of that. It’s about feeling strong and confident and being able to enjoy your life. It’s about quality of life.

“You’re just doing something because it’s fun, it feels good, and you feel better afterwards.”

It can be a social activity, or one done in silence as paddlers watch the birds flying or the fish jumping.

Every Wednesday from June to September, Colaizzi welcomes everyone to join the SUP Guelph community group which meets up for a weekly paddle at various locations including Rockwood Conservation Park and Guelph Lake.

“I founded Blue Motion Fitness during COVID-19. I took part in a program at Wilfrid Laurier University that was for women entrepreneurs. And Blue Motion Fitness was the name that I fell in love with,” Colaizzi said.

“Being on the water, its just so calming and wonderful. And since I promote fitness, it is about movement. That’s how I came up with the name,” Colaizzi said.

Another important aspect for Colaizzi is giving back to her community.

“So, I began the community group, SUP Guelph. Every Wednesday, anyone who wants to join is welcome to come out and paddle with us at no cost,” she said.  

“During COVID, a friend of mine suggested that we make a date. We went out every Wednesday night and we just paddled together. I was so thankful.”  

From there, the pair invited others to join in.

“And it just exploded from there. This is our third summer. It’s amazing because it started with just the two of us, and last summer, I had eight people join us,” Colaizzi said.   

The group now has over 300 members on Facebook.

“There’s no commitment, and it’s free,” Colaizzi said.

“I think people are more confident when they get out with other people in the water. Some are just learning and some are more experienced than others. But we all offer each other advice."

SUP Guelph held its first annual 'Witches Paddle' in October.

“We all dressed like witches and paddled down the Eramosa River. I can’t wait to do it again this year,” Colaizzi said.

This summer, Blue Motion Fitness hopes to expand community paddles to other areas including Pinehurst Conservation Area in Ayr and Shade’s Mills Conservation Area in Cambridge.

“We also have a rule that if the weather is really bad with lightning or a storm, we just go to the Wooly Pub,” Colaizzi said.

“Throughout the off season, we still meet up monthly. I plan the event whether it’s going to a café, or a museum. It’s kind of like a summer support group.”

This summer, Colaizzi will also offer paid fitness classes on the boards on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration and your own SUP board is required.

Colaizzi said she does, however, have a few boards on hand for anyone who would like to try paddling before making a commitment.

“I had my first lesson, it was about 10 years ago. The woman who instructed me asked if I’d like to be a teacher. I am a fitness instructor. That’s my day job. So, she asked if I wanted to teach this. And I said well, I’m just learning. She said well, you have what it takes,” Colaizzi said.

“She encouraged me to come out, and I took courses with her so I can teach beginners.”

Colaizzi shows participants how how to pump up the board and what they can do on the board.

“It’s the full experience. There’s a full 30 minutes on land with me. We go through all the skills, they can stand up, paddle and enjoy themselves,” she said.

“I always teach about safety so they know which direction to go in the wind, currents, and how to check weather patterns.”

Colaizzi said she hopes people will walk away feeling confident enough to either rent or purchase their own board, and join the group on Wednesday night paddles.