valbogyo Posted October 26, 2014 Report Share Posted October 26, 2014 Someone asked, earlier this year, if SUP boards were popular at Lake Chapala. Several people mentioned they do see people out there. No one who actually paddles answered. I thought it was time to ask again, as some people are just packing up to come down for the winter. I am thinking of bringing one back with me, on my return lakeside. I have been learning how to use a SUP board in Hawaii. It is great exercise yet, really relaxing. Also, very popular at the beach and something you could transport for a week at the coast. I just wanted to see if there were any people interested in doing this. More fun if there are others for support and developing skills. PM me if interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappykat Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Hi, I am very interested in relocating to MX and will be exploring the Lake Chapala area soon. I LOVE to SUPand that is a big reason I'm interested in this area-----the big, beautiful lake I was hoping there was a place to rent boards down there but didn't find anything when I Googled :/ Anyway, I would love to hear how you like SUP'ing down there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerbit Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Scrappykay, look up Chapala Adventures. My wife and I rented stand up paddle boards there for 190 pesos for a 3 hour rental. They are on the lake in Riberas. We did this in December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenity6 Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 I would love to do it. Except, the filthy and toxic lake turns me off. Have there been any recent water quality testings lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenity6 Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Scrappy, I don't mean to sound negative, I'm just gonna out out there what I experienced. I too, was so excited to come here most,y because of the lake and all the fun things one can do in said lake. It was not until after I moved here that I discovered the lake is filthy for various reasons (and likely people will start screaming and arguing over this issue). Very few people swim or do sup. or jet ski, or do any water related activities. At most, I'll see a kayaker or two a week. Those guys have a good chance of not falling into the water. I wouldn't want that water touching my skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcstroker Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Scrappy, I don't mean to sound negative, I'm just gonna out out there what I experienced. I too, was so excited to come here most,y because of the lake and all the fun things one can do in said lake. It was not until after I moved here that I discovered the lake is filthy for various reasons (and likely people will start screaming and arguing over this issue). Very few people swim or do sup. or jet ski, or do any water related activities. At most, I'll see a kayaker or two a week. Those guys have a good chance of not falling into the water. I wouldn't want that water touching my skin. Not sure which lake you're talking about but it's not the one that I kayak in twice a week and have for the last 3 years. Neither myself nor the other members of our club and the many guests we have had have ever gotten sick from being in the lake. And yes we do get wet, we train to fall out of our kayaks and get back in. Don't know where you come up with calling the lake filthy but it's not from the many studies that have been done on the lake to show that it is indeed safe to be in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappykat Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Thank you everyone for your replies! I really hope the lake isn't as bad as some of you say---that would be a shame. I also am interested in kayaking and fishing, but I'm thinking the latter is out?? Catch and release maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcstroker Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Sent you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.Miller Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 I asked several years ago about sculls or the ability to rent them lakeside. I know nothing about the sport but have often thought that it would be great exercise and that Lake Chapala seems to offer the perfect body of water for sculling. At the time of my query several people responded and thought that it sounded like something they would like to try however there did not seem to be a place then to rent sculls. Does anyone know if that has changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xena Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 ScrappyKat, just wanted to clarify that it was not "some" of the respondents who said the lake was bad. It was one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerm Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 If you do plan on taking a dunk in this pristine body of water....Make sure your shots are up to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 A silty bottom makes the water very murky with wave action near shore. Dr. Stong, a water expert, says much of the lake in deeper water is drinkable; and proves it by drinking it after 30 minutes with just 2 drops/L of chlorine bleach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerbit Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 Paddle boarded in December, took quite a few dunks in the process. No issues what so ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 The only real danger is the chupacabra aquatico when the stars are in the correct, or incorrect alignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 The problem with the lake is that it is cold - even in the summer it only gets to 72 to 74. If you are O.K. with that fine. Otherwise you will need a tropical weight wet suit (unless you can gaurantee you will never get dunked). Paddleboarders on the east and west coast are used to ocean temperatures of 80 to 84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerbit Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 RV, I think I saw it! But unfortunately, I neglected to note the celestial alignments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcstroker Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 I asked several years ago about sculls or the ability to rent them lakeside. I know nothing about the sport but have often thought that it would be great exercise and that Lake Chapala seems to offer the perfect body of water for sculling. At the time of my query several people responded and thought that it sounded like something they would like to try however there did not seem to be a place then to rent sculls. Does anyone know if that has changed? As far as I know I'm the only one in this part of Mexico that has a rowing shell (scull). I am able to teach someone how to row but with having the only one around it is a little hard as unlike kayaking where someone can learn the basics in one session sculling usually takes at least a couple of months while practicing several times a week. I would love to see more people take up the sport but without more boats it's almost impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.Miller Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Bummer! But I can see how one boat only could be a problem and I understand that they can be very expensive to buy NOB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcstroker Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Bummer! But I can see how one boat only could be a problem and I understand that they can be very expensive to buy NOB. If you can find one, there's probably about 1000 used kayaks for sale for every open water rowing shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappykat Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Hi Again I emailed Chapala Adventures but haven't heard back so maybe they are no longer in business? I have a wetsuit so cold water isn't an issue (plus I'm from WI where even in the dead of summer, the lake water can be cold---ugh!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 You have a wetsuit - that is excellent news. Others should be aware that the nearest place to buy a reasonable priced wetsuit is probably San Diego. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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