Stand Up, Paddle For Summer Views

Long Islander News photo/Janee Law
Huntington Stand Up Paddle prepares for the upcoming season, as the summer inches closer. Pictured from left to right, volunteer Rich Buttine, owner Katie Buttine, instructor Jackie Adamcewicz and volunteer Christian Cuciniello.

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

The building that houses Huntington Stand Up Paddle is just 15-by-15 feet, but it only serves as an outlet for paddlers and kayakers to get to 3-miles’ worth of scenic views across Huntington Harbor.
Owner Katie Buttine started the business out of her Jeep in 2011, and a year later moved to the 300 West Shore Road location in Huntington. She added that she opened the business because of a lack of kayak and paddle board services around town.
“When we first started the sport was so new and people didn’t know what it was,” Buttine, of Huntington, said. “We wanted to share it with everyone and grow in the community.”
Now, patrons can hop on a board to explore Huntington Bay, potentially checking out the Huntington Lighthouse or the thin beach of Sand City.
The business offers stand up paddle lessons, rentals, tours, corporate outings and parties, tandem kayak rentals, monthly memberships and storage.
It has sold goods in the past, but Buttine, of Huntington, said she’s decided to focus the business on education and experience opposed to goods.
“There’s a huge market for this right now and I’m sure the retail stores are doing well with it, but it’s harder to educate so much when you’re trying to sell a product,” Buttine said. “We really just want to get people comfortable, get them to try all the different things and figure out what part of paddle boarding they like.”
Beginners can try their hand at introduction lessons, while experienced paddlers can partake in group classes. Classes are limited to six paddlers per instructor and include Intro to Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Group Tour, PaddleFit and SUP Yoga.
Jackie Adamcewicz, a PaddleFit and SUP Yoga instructor, said when it comes to both fitness and yoga classes, it’s about making sure members of the group are safe and comfortable.
“We have lots of nice secluded coves around here so we’ll paddle out to one of those coves where it’s quiet, there’s no boat traffic and then we’ll anchor up and start a class,” Adamcewicz, of Northport, said. “It’s a little bit limited because there are certain things that are more difficult to do on a board but we try and make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed.”
As summer inches closer, Buttine said, she expects a busy season.
Prices for stand up paddles, single kayak, and tandem kayak rentals vary depending on adults and children and run for 60 minutes.
Buttine said monthly memberships include two hours a day of paddle boarding or kayaking at $125 for teens and $150 for adults, and summer memberships are $250 for teens and $300 for adults.
Buttine, who grew up in Lloyd Harbor, added that she loves her job because it’s constantly taking her out on the water, and she likes to share that with others.
“If your parents aren’t boaters or you don’t belong to a yacht club, it’s hard for people to get out on the water,” she said. “We’re very community-based, we like introducing people to the sport and getting them out on the water.”