Stand-up paddleboarding in Pittsburgh with Ian Smith
Meet Ian Smith, a Pittsburgher with a passion for stand-up paddleboarding. For the past 10 years, SurfSUP Adventures has helped folks to explore our local waterways via tours and classes. Think beyond the Point and its three rivers, because Smith takes trips to the sandy beaches of Oakmont, the whitewater of Greenhouse Park near Johnstown and more.
Stand-up paddleboarding is a perfect summer social distancing activity. If you are nervous, it’s important to highlight that Smith has a perfect track record of getting folks to stand and balance on their boards. For the more advanced, he offers whitewater river surfing trips.
First Waves, SurfSUP’s nonprofit organization, “uses stand-up paddleboarding, the art of filmmaking, and digital media as a catalyst to inspire conservation of local waterways and mentorship for at-risk youth.” Smith explains how the joy of catching your first wave helps participants fall in love with the river and then consequently want to keep it clean.
To learn more about SurfSUP Adventures & First Waves:
SurfSUP
First Waves
B4 this Pittsburgher, there was no BINGO
Did you know that the game of bingo (beloved by grandmas and drag queens alike) was invented by Hazlewood resident Hugh J. Ward? Ward received a copyright in 1933. Shoutout to the Greater Hazelwood Historical Society for sharing this on Facebook a few weeks back. We hope this fun fact gets you some points in your next bout of online trivia.
Groundbreaking giveback
Local Roots Landscaping and Commonplace Coffee have teamed up on a new morning blend. You might be asking yourself why a landscaping company has a coffee blend, but it was a natural extension to their other charitable work throughout the pandemic. One hundred percent of the proceeds of this blend go to 412 Food Rescue and the NAACP’s Pittsburgh branch. You can learn more or order a bag here.
If you liked this episode, you might also want to press play on:
- Episode # 19 – Christine Iksic + Three Rivers Outdoor Co.
- Episode # 21 – Scott Kowalski + Pittsburgh’s Underwear Bike Ride
- Episode #15 – Laura Zurowski’s Mis.Steps
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Header image by Teri Getsay, courtesy of SurfSUP Adventures.
