paddling with a camera

Tag: SUP

Summer paddling, swimming and photography on Horsetooth Reservoir
Stand up paddling

During August 2023 I visited Horsetooth Reservoir several times with Starboard Waterline SUP, the same board I paddled in the Missouri River 340 race. It was rather a relaxed paddling with a lot of photography since I was recovering from the race which was very tough this year. I typically launched my board from Soldier Cove at Lory State Park, a serene and relatively uncrowded location, even on weekends.

Later in the month, my focus shifted as I prepared for the Middle Loup River Challenge in Nebraska. For this endeavor, I opted for my trusty 2014 Starboard All Star, which bore the battle scars and dents acquired from countless journeys through shallow river waters.
Open water swimming

I combined my recent stand up paddling with some open water swimming. At this time it was more about photography than fitness, but I am going to swim more even if I need to wear wetsuit soon.

I’ve been around water paddling and sailing for almost 60 years, but I must admit that I am not a proficient swimmer. I grew up in Sandomierz, a small town in Poland without a swimming pool. Fortunately, there was Vistula River, a smaller version of the Missouri River, partially regulated, but also with wild sections, sand dredges and barge traffic. So, I learned to swim by myself without any formal instructions in some old river channels.

I have additional motivation for open water swimming. Recently, I launch my battle against candida overgrowth. Swimming in chlorinated pools is discouraged in such situations because chlorine not only eliminates bacteria in the water but also disrupts the body’s and skin natural bacterial flora.
Navigational lights on paddleboard

I like to paddle late in evenings even well after sunset. In Horsetooth Reservoir I am using LED navigational lights by NaviSafe, the same as in Missouri River 340 Race. They are approved by the US Coast Guard for up to 2 Nautical Miles. These come with suction cups, but can be also mounted on GoPro type mounts. Suction cups don’t work reliably on decks of my paddleboards at least in muddy Missouri River, so recently I am using GoPro mounts. You can find cheaper and simpler lights, but I have been using NaviSafe lights without any problems with all my recent MR340 races.
September 18, 2023
First time of Starboard Waterline SUP on Horsetooth Reservoir
Lory State Park – Soldier Cove

In mid-June, I went paddleboarding on Horsetooth Reservoir, starting from Soldier Cove in Lory State Park. I believe it is the shortest walk from the park to the water and puts you in the middle of somewhat protected and quiet area of the Horsetooth Reservoir. It’s a convenient launch spot when the water level is high, but not as ideal when the water is low due to the longer walk and muddy shores. Currently, the water level is high, but it still can go a little bit higher.

Starboard Waterline SUP on Horsetooth Reservoir

I particularly enjoy paddling on Horsetooth Reservoir during colder seasons when boat ramps are closed and there is no power boat traffic. However, I often wonder why power boats feel the need to play loud and obnoxious music throughout the entire lake. Fortunately, the evening became quiet just before dusk, allowing me to have a pleasant photo shoot in South Eltuck Cove and enjoy the sounds of nature, including the birds.

This was my first time using the Starboard Waterline paddleboard on Horsetooth Reservoir. It is a fast and low-profile touring board designed for flatwater. I’m considering using it for the Missouri River 340 race later this year. I have previously paddled the Waterline on smaller lakes like Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area and Boedecker Reservoir. I also used it during the Mean Lamine race in Missouri back in late April.

During my paddleboarding session on Horsetooth, I encountered strong headwinds and waves earlier in the afternoon. The paddleboard was noticeably slower compared to calm water conditions. The narrow bow lacks buoyancy and tends to get submerged in larger waves. I still need to conduct further testing in various conditions and with heavier loads, as expected during the MR340 race.

I am currently in the process of editing video clips and time-lapse footage from this paddling session. I primarily used my “big” camera, the Sony A7R5, and didn’t have the opportunity to use my action cameras. I am adding above pictures to my stock photography portfolio and they are available for royalty free licensing.

Type your email…

Related posts:
June 15, 2023
Breaking the Ice: Winter Stand Up Paddleboarding in Colorado
Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area in Fort Collins is my favorite and convenient spot for some short paddling workouts. In 2023, I started to paddle there in early March as soon as the ice cover was just beginning to thaw. In my last paddling on March 13 a half of the lake was ice free, but wind was shifting the ice opening and closing channels along shores. Nevertheless, I managed to complete 5 laps along the lake on my SIC X-14 stand up paddleboard. Some passages required cutting through a soft ice which added an extra challenge to my workout.

While Beaver Pond may not offer the same breathtaking views as Horsetooth Reservoir, it provides the convenience of a parking spot at Strauss Cabin road, allowing for easy access to the water. Horsetooth at low water levels requires a long and steep walk to reach the water’s edge When boat ramps are open situation will be different. But for now, I can park at a very shore of the Beaver Pond.

I need about 4 minutes to upload my SUP to the roof of my 4Runner and more or less the same time to launch a paddleboard to Beaver Pond. I use LockRack racks on my 4runner to carry paddleboards, canoes and whitewater kayak, but for narrow racing kayaks I need a different setup, V-type racks from Goodboy or KayakPro.

Although the water at Beaver Pond remains icy, I am comfortable paddling without a dry suit by staying close to the shore and bringing spare clothes. This is a welcome relief from winter paddling on Horsetooth Reservoir, where full immersion gear is a must.

Concerning scenery, if you look carefully, you see Longs Peak from the Beaver Pond. You will need some time to get used to highway noise, but there is amazing amount of wildlife. Last time, I was paddling in a usual company of geese, ducks and blue herons, and a visiting guest – bald eagle.
During one of my ice passages I shot a few pictures from a frog perspective. Shooting with a camera at water level or partially submerged camera is perhaps my favorite way to create paddling selfies. I am using Sony RX0 II camera mounted on a small desktop tripod. That camera and how it compares to a popular GoPro camera deserves a special post. And, I am still using waterproof Olympus TG5 camera for paddling. I believe that the current version TG6 is not much different.
March 16, 2023
Can You Paddle Poudre River with Nearly Zero Flow?
On February 17th, I began my 2023 river paddling season by taking my inflatable stand up paddleboard, the Voyager by Red Paddle Co, to the Poudre River in Fort Collins. The river flow in wintertime is close to zero, about 20 cfs, but you can find some water in the Poudre which will float you boat. Just look for backwaters of diversion dams: standing or slow moving water and very shallow. It’s not good for serious paddling, but it may be enough for some playing, shooting pictures or testing equipment.

I visited Poudre River section in Kingfisher Point Natural Area (access from Hoffman Mill Rd). In my old blog posts I may refer to this area as Nix or Nix Farm Natural Area. Depending on the river flow and operations of the diversion dam you may find there almost 1/4 of paddling water. If you are willing to do some dragging, you can even reach the Lemay street bridge at the upstream end.

The river is very shallow except very close to the dam. Therefore, you cannot use a regular long fin on your paddleboard. For recent 6 years, I’ve been using a retractable fin from Frogfish. I’ve found it on Amazon, but it doesn’t look to be available right now. Another solution is to use some sort of a flexible fin, like this one from saruSurf. You don’t really need a fin here, since you are paddling in circles anyway. However, the retractable fin is very useful for paddling down the South Platte River which is usually deep enough, but poses a high risk of hitting shallow areas or other underwater obstacles. So, if you are a SUP paddler be prepared for the joint paddling clubs trip on the South Platte, usually 3rd Saturday of March from Evans to Kersey or Kuner.

During my trip, I paddled more than 3 miles, going up and down the river and paddling in circles while shooting pictures and videos. I have some footage to edit and post on my Youtube channel. Please check my paddling playlist.

You can find another river spot like this in Fort Collins downtown at Legacy Park, but it’s more likely to be covered by ice in winter.
February 18, 2023
Blue Stand Up Paddling in Arapaho Bend Natural Area
Paddling in blue: blue sky, blue paddleboard, blue paddler, blue leash … Happy accident or conscious color selection? I am not sure.

This picture in from my morning paddling in May on Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area, one of many natural areas in Fort Collins along the Poudre River. It was shot with Sony RX0-2 camera from a water level. The camera was probably partially submerged. This low angle gives very nice reflections, but the result is always quite unpredictable.

The paddleboard is not recognizable above, but it is 17.6’x24″ Mistral Stealth, my favorite board in 2020.

You can find more of my recent pictures from paddling on instagram, but I will try to share some stories here.

Related posts:
July 4, 2020
Winter Stand Up Paddling on Horsetooth Reservoir

I love paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir in cold season. Boat ramps are closed, no power boat traffic, usually quiet and calm. Snow and ice can enhance scenery. A great time to paddle, train, relax or photograph.

The Horsetooth stays ice free longer than Boyd Lake or smaller lakes in Fort Collins like Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area. South Bay freezes first, and than smaller coves. Don’t get discouraged by a webcam showing the South Bay. Very often you can still find open water in northern end of the reservoir at Satanka Cove.

In some years, I was able to paddle Horsetooth for the entire winter, in others till February. This winter season is somewhat unusual because water level is very high.

Earlier in a cold season I am using a wet suit, and later I am switching to supskin drysuit. I always paddle in life jacket and safety leash on paddleboards. I also carry the spot device for emergency, and always some sort of photo equipment.

This winter I am paddling mostly various stand up paddleboards and sometimes my expedition canoe.

Here are some pictures and comments from my paddling in 2019/2020 season. What is your experience from paddling Horsetooth Reservoir in winter? Any practical tips?

Horsetooth Reservoir in February 2020 as seen from a parking lot at Satanka Cove. A tip of that peninsula is a good place to launch when the cove is covered by ice. You can also take a shorter, but steeper walk towards the end of Horsetooth Dam.

A few time in late fall I launched my paddleboards from the Lory State Park at Soldier Cove. It’s a pretty short walk (~200 steps) to water protected from winds. Of course, later in winter is not an option. The picture above shows my last launch of 14’X26″ All Star by Starboard SUP there on January 12. It involved some walks around ice fields.

Occasionally, I am taking a walk between Satanka and North Eltuck Cove, just for fun and photography. Let’s call it cross training.

A thermos bottle with hot tea belongs to my standard equipment in winter paddling, since I often take longer breaks for photography. Usually, it happen close to sunset when it’s getting pretty chilly.

Experimenting with a low angle POV from a partially submerged action camera – Sony RX0 2. That camera has a narrower angle of view than GoPro and it doesn’t work so well as a bow camera on a 14′ paddleboard. A longer board needed!

Satanka Cove. First paddling in a snow blizzard. A great opportunity for photography.

Paddling along icy cliff in Sea Wind, a heavy duty expedition canoe designed and build by legendary Verlen Kruger. This boat is a great icebreaker, but it’s much easier and faster to load SUP on roof racks.

February 15. Northern part of the lake was still open. Trying a new board in icy conditions: 17.6’x24″ Mistral Interceptor. I needed something to much my Santa drysuit

The long, unlimited paddleboard (~35 lb) is more awkward to carry around than 14′ boards. And, even a safety leash attached makes it tail heavy.

Related paddling links:

Do you need a hot tea for your winter paddling?

Winter Season Paddling on Horsetooth Reservoir with Sea Wind Canoe

Icy Horsetooth Reservoir – Opening Lake Paddling Season

February 19, 2020
Late March Paddling with 2018 All Star SUP by Starboard

Beaver Pond in early springtime

Late March on Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area near Fort Collins. The lake was ice free for about two weeks. No green colors yet. Geese are still swimming, but starting to settle down on two islands. Muskrats are showing up near shores. I was visiting this area in winter time as well, but with my fat bike.

2018 model of 14×26 All Star SUP by Starboard.

It is where my last winter time on water, and then my first spring paddling took place. I was testing my new stand up paddleboard: 2018 14×26 All Star by Starboard in carbon sandwich layout. I’ve ordered it from Paddle Surf Warehouse in California – a great customer service, free shipping, a bag and a custom cut VESL paddle was included. The paddleboard was ordered on Monday and arrived in a good shape to my home on Friday.

2014 14×28 All Star stand up paddleboard

It is my second All Star SUP. The first one, 2014 model 14×28, I got in the fall of 2016. I used it for paddling workouts on my local lakes and rivers (with a pivoting fin), and for a few long distance river races in 2017: South Dakota Kayak Challenge, Fort to Field 50 on the Missouri River, and 31 mile Chattajack. 2017 MR340 race I paddled a heavy expedition board.

Racing plans for 2018 All Star SUP? Some shorter river marathons including Chattajack. I am not sure about MR340 yet. Maybe, I will have to sit down …

A photo session with the Starboard SUP

I don’t dress for immersion when paddling the Beaver Pond (or the shallow South Platte River). However, I am staying close to the shore at this time of year. I paddled Horsetooth Reservoir in winter, but always in Supskin drysuit.

A photo session with the Starboard SUP

All pictures were shot with the mirrorless Sony A7R2 camera with Sony 24-70mm lens. The camera is mounted on a light Gitzo Mountaineer Tripod. This is my minimalist camera set for paddling, biking or hiking. I usually carry the camera in Ortlieb Aqua Waterproof Camera Bag. That bag can hold a DSLR camera with a zoom lens, so it is a little bit too large for my mirrorless Sony. I can add a small tabletop tripod to the bag.

A photo session with the Starboard SUP

Selfies were shot using time-lapse application on the Sony camera. Unfortunately, this approach requires sorting through hundreds of images. There is no need for an external intervalometer for Sony A7R2 or Sony A6000. I am not sure if this apps is available for the new Sony A7R3 yet.

Dusk after paddling

Typically, I am shooting pictures around sunset after my paddling workout. Wind calms down. Something interesting is going on the sky. I am included the above pictures in my stock photography portfolio. See, where to buy and license my pictures and video footage.

Are you using SUP as a platform for photography? Please share your experiences.

April 2, 2018
Late Summer Stand Up Paddling with Olympus TG-5 Camera

After paddling a heavy expedition paddleboard in Missouri River 340 race I returned back to my racing board – 14×30 All Star by Starboard. It is definitely more fun for short 4-6 mile workouts. Of course, I wonder how my race would go in this racing board. I will be posting the race analysis in the Fitness Paddling blog.

I am paddling on my local waters in Fort Collins: Horsetooth Reservoir (water level is dropping down) and Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area.

I didn’t do any serious paddling photography lately, but I always carry Olympus Stylus TG-5 waterproof camera with me. Below is another series of pictures – just trying different camera angles as a break from a paddling workout. You are welcome to check the previous posts for pictures shot around the MR340 race.

All pictures were shot in aperture mode with some exposure correction (typically somewhat underexposed). I am recording images in RAW format, and then processing them in Adobe Lightroom, and sometimes, in Photoshop if I need to remove something or apply more advanced corrections.

I am adding these pictures to my stock photography portfolio.

What camera are you using for paddling? A regular point and shoot camera, a waterproof one, GoPro Hero, a smartphone?

Sunflowers on the shore of Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area

Soldier Cove at Horsetooth Reservoir. You need a waterproof for this low angle shot.

Another low angle shot, but at Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area.

Just a different angle …

Horsetooth Reservoir during Labor Day weekend. It was calm and quiet until sunrise. Then, I had a good training in crazy boat wakes.

Related posts:
Olympus Tough TG-5 Waterproof Paddling Camera – First Impressions

September 3, 2017
Olympus Tough TG-5 Compact Waterproof Paddling Camera

Waterproof Olympus Stylus Tough TG-5 camera on a deck of All Star paddleboard.

A few weeks ago I upgraded my paddling camera to waterproof and rugged Olympus Stylus TG-5 . It’s the follow-up to the Olympus STYLUS Tough TG-4 and features a new sensor and processor (but reduced resolution), advanced tracking capabilities, 4K video capture, Wi-Fi.

I’ve been using waterproof cameras from Pentax Optio series for years. The last one was Pentax Optio WG-2. It was followed by Ricoh WG-30w. I understand that these cameras are now discontinued, but you can still find them or newer versions on Amazon.

My main reason to buy Olympus TG-5 camera was its ability to record images in RAW format. I like to have a full control over processing my pictures in Lightroom and/or Photoshop.

I am not often using my iPhone when paddling. Typically, the iPhone is hidden in a dry bag or I am saving its battery for communication in longer trips like MR 340 race. BTW, you can get images in RAW format from your iPhone when using the mobile Lightroom app.

You can find many reviews of the TG-5 camera online, e.g.,

New Olympus TG-5 improves ‘toughness’, brings new sensor and tracking functionality. DPreview.com.

There isn’t a better rugged waterproof compact around than the Olympus TOUGH TG-5. Like all great cameras it gets the basics right – a bright, good quality 25-100mm f2 – 4.9 lens paired with a quality 12 Megapixel sensor and high performance TruePic VIII processor. It builds on that with a great set of features and shooting modes, including Pro capture continuous shooting, 4K video, RAW support, and superb macro modes. Finally, it provides the control you need to make the most of those features, whatever the environment. The only downside is the poor performance of the movie continuous AF. CameraLabs.com

I’ve got the camera just a few days before the 12th Missouri River 340 Race (nonstop paddling race from Kansas City to St Charles). I had only time to figure out how to use aperture mode with exposure compensation and ISO adjustment. Here are some pictures shot before, during, and after the race. The pictures on the Missouri River were shot with a harsh afternoon light while other with a much nicer morning light.

Starboard Expedition 14×30 stand up paddleboard during my last training workout on Horsetooth Reservoir before MR340 race.

Half underwater picture of Starboard Expedition SUP on Horsetooth Reservoir, CO.

Paddle, paddle, paddle – my mantra during the race (wisdom words by Verlen Kruger).

Dundee sandbar – the last rest stop before reaching race finish at St Charles – 48 miles to go.

Starboard expedition with the lucky number 13 at the finish of MR340 race in St Charles, MO. I’ve been using boat number 13 in all my Texas Water Safari runs, and then the number 0013 in all 10 MR340 races.

My shuttle after MR340 race; the paddleboard in at a hotel in St Charles, the car is at a hotel in Kansas City, and I am boarding Amtrak River Runner at Kirkwood, MO

Back to Colorado – rinsing Missouri River mud in Horsetooth Reservoir

I believe that image quality is pretty decent, good enough to include images in my stock photography portfolio, and certainly for web publishing.

Now the big race is over. I will have some time for a more relaxed paddling and photography. I am going to compare Olympus TG-5 to my old Pentax Optio, and perhaps, to GoPro HERO camera.

I wonder if anybody is still using this type of waterproof camera for paddling and other outdoor activities in the age of a smartphone. So, what camera are you using? Please share your experience.

August 22, 2017