A Paddle Board, a River, and a Pisces Who’s Finally Found Her Thing
- Lexi Embers
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
I’m a Pisces, so naturally, water is my reset button. My soul’s recharge station. My go-to cure for everything. I’ve known this for years, which is why, in 2020, when my Europe trip fell through for obvious reasons, I took that money and invested it in a big-ass pool for my backyard. And when I say big… I mean massive.
But… two summers ago, spring brought more than flowers. It brought a leak so huge that fixing it would cost more than I could justify. Since then, my backyard has featured one massive, un-swimmable eyesore.
This year, I refused to let that ruin my favorite season. I’ve been in my let’s-freaking-do-this era, so I took the plunge, pun intended, and bought a paddle board and all the gear to go with it. All of this despite my very real fear of natural, fresh water. (It’s not the water that freaks me out… it’s the not knowing what’s in there with me. Shudders.)
Oh. My. World.
I’m actually mad at myself for waiting until the tail end of my thirties to discover this hobby I now adore. Most mornings, I drive three minutes to the river, paddle out a good distance, let myself drift and float, and then make my way back at an easy pace. It’s become the best two-and-a-half hours of my day.
If you have access to water nearby, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s the perfect mix of workout and relaxation; no screens, no deadlines, just fresh air and quiet. It feels like living in a world that’s constantly rushing us into surviving.
If you’re thinking about giving it a try, here’s exactly what I bought to get started. Yes, the upfront cost is a little spicy, but if you love water, it’s worth every penny. My gear has already paid for itself in peace of mind and soul-level joy.
Everything fits into that bag so easily, and if you are a hiker, that bag has backpack straps fitted to the back of it for easier carrying.
This isn't the exact one I purchased, but it is similar. It will float should I sink. So when I manage to rescue myself, I'll still have a dry phone and keys to work with. I pack this with snacks and drinks for the water too.
This is a bit controversial of an item to take on the water. Personally, I favor them as long as I remain mindful. I listen to mine quietly when I'm in secluded areas.
For river safety in my area, I am required to have rope aboard. So, this fits that while being useful.
Manually pumping is an option... but getting the correct PSI into the board is definitely difficult. I chose this one because it charges using the same cord as my phone (USB-C). I charge it after every two adventures and it has been working perfectly.
These aren't the one I purchased, but you need to make sure you purchase a life jacket that fits you well and follows the required guidelines in your area.
Do you have a hobby that gives you that same feeling? Where the world slows down, and you remember you’re alive? Tell me in the comments! Maybe next summer, I’ll have a few new things to try.
Until next time,
Lexi
I found myself in relax mode reading about you paddle boarding