Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/170490
DueWest travel Aqua yoga t's been ridden through monster waves, towed behind boats at high speeds, and paddled like a canoe along wild shores. Now, the mighty surfboard is also a yoga mat. SUP yoga ("Stand Up Paddleboarding" for the uninitiated), the latest evolution in board sports, allows yogis to bust out of the traditional studio to perfect their sun salutations under the open sky, while balancing on a floating board. The concept has been flourishing in places such as California and Florida over the past few years and is starting to take hold in British Columbia. Kristy Wright Schell of Stand Up Paddle Vancouver, one of SUP yoga's pioneers, says enrolment has doubled from last year. And communities such as Tofino, Abbotsford, and Kelowna are beginning to follow suit. During one of her classes, Wright Schell leads a small group on a paddle until they find a calm bay for yoga practice. An anchor system she developed helps prevent boards from floating away. The poses tend to be simple to account for the extra challenge of instability. "When a group is really timid we do everything seated," she says. Paul Zwolak I Yoga on a board requires slowing down to achieve balance. Too rigid or too relaxed and "you'll end up in the drink" (giving new meaning to "fish" pose). The result is a low-impact full-body workout. "SUP yoga is about connecting and being with the elements," says Wright Schell. "It's also a great way to access this beautiful coast we live on without having to spend a ton of money doing it." Info: (standuppaddlevancouver.com/home/ sup-yoga/). —Shanna Baker Pepperpalooza he Similkameen Valley is renowned for heat—in its climate and on the tongue. The region, which extends southwest of the Okanagan Valley through Keremeos to Princeton and beyond, claims to produce more than 200 varieties of organic peppers. They include the blazing hot naga chili and the fiery habanero, along with more mild-tempered cousins. Each year, locals celebrate their bounty with the day-long Similkameen Sizzle Pepperfest in Keremeos. A hot-pepper eating contest is one of the main events. Fifteen strong-stomached volunteers attempt to consume three chili peppers in record time. Last year's "Sear Factor" winner completed the feat in an indigestion-inducing 39.3 seconds. "I've seen some very red faces on young guys who thought they were capable of doing this and weren't," laughs long-time festival participant Carroll MacLean of Keremeos. 8 B r itish C olumbia Magazine • fa ll 2013 The annual chili cook-off is another draw. Hundreds sign up to sample and vote on competing dishes. Amateur and local alchemists also have the opportunity to compete for the best hot sauce recipe. The victor may have the option to sell their sauce in a Kelowna grocery store. Local musicians keep the crowd of roughly 700 entertained as they peruse vendor stalls offering everything from fresh produce to salsas and pepper jellies, as well as the occasional piece of pepper-themed jewellery. Snack options such as enchiladas, tamales, and Jamaican patties keep with the spicy theme. The 12th Similkameen Sizzle Pepperfest, purportedly Canada's only hot pepper festival, takes place September 21, 2013. Info: (ttpsoftware.com/sizzlesite). —Shanna Baker Floortje/istockphoto T