Lessons from My First Paddle on the May River

The May River is one of the Lowcountry’s most beautiful waterways—calm creeks winding out into big tidal flows, framed by live oaks and salt marsh. But like all waters, it has its lessons.

I still remember my very first paddle there.

It was an 80-degree afternoon in January, and I had just picked up two brand-new iSUPs I’d never even tried before. I’d also never paddled the local waters. Still, I asked my girlfriend to come with me, and we met at the old oyster factory dock.

We waded out, climbed onto our boards, and stayed close to the docks, thinking it would be “safer.” At one point I turned to look at her—then suddenly I was in the water. It was shallow, and as I tried to get up, I felt something sharp cut across my shin, then my toes, even my fingers.

I had fallen right onto an oyster bed at mid-tide.

Back on shore, I got a look at the damage—bloody scrapes everywhere, stinging from saltwater and swarmed by no-see-ums. To top it off, I later realized I hadn’t even inflated the boards properly.

I learned the hard way that day. But it was also a turning point. Not long after, I signed up for a SUP course, got certified as a coach, and connected with a local paddler who mentored me and showed me what safe, confident paddling really looked like.

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Why Awareness Matters

That first experience taught me just how important safety, awareness, confidence, and skill are when you’re paddling local waters—especially tidal rivers like the May.

Knowing how to read the tide, launch safely, avoid hazards, and handle your board makes the difference between frustration and freedom.

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3 Ways to Build Awareness & Confidence on the May River (with Stand and Paddle)

✅ Private Lessons, Coaching & Guided Trips — by appointment

✅ SUP Workshops — check the calendar for dates

✅ My Lowcountry Guide with Maps — a downloadable resource on my site

And if you’re not in the Lowcountry? I also coach and paddle in Nosara (my hometown) and other locations I frequent. Reach out if you’d like to connect—we’ll get on the water together.

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👉 The May River is one of the most rewarding places to paddle, but it also deserves respect. My first trip taught me that the hard way. My mission now is to make sure others can skip the oyster-bed cuts and jump straight into safe, confident, enjoyable paddling.