Anik Wild’s Lake Tahoe: The Ultimate Playground for Paddlers

Anik Wild, the co-founder of Tahoe Watermans Landing, provides an insightful glimpse into Lake Tahoe’s allure as a premier destination for Stand Up Paddling and other paddle sports. With its stunning alpine landscapes and crystal-clear waters, Lake Tahoe offers a unique setting for paddling enthusiasts year-round. Anik’s journey from a career in ski racing to becoming a leading figure in Tahoe’s water sports scene highlights the lake’s enduring appeal and dynamic challenges. As anticipation builds for the Tahoe Cup Lake Crossing 2024 on September 13-15, the third event in the Tahoe Waterman Paddle Racing Series, this 22-mile race exemplifies the lake’s exceptional paddling conditions and showcases the thrilling adventures awaiting athletes amidst Tahoe’s breathtaking natural beauty.

SUP Racing on Lake Tahoe, California

Hello Anik, could you share your waterman journey with us? How did it all begin?

My journey to Lake Tahoe began in 1994 when I was fortunate to receive a full athletic scholarship to a college on the Northshore of Lake Tahoe after my time with the Canadian Ski Team. After graduating from Sierra Nevada College in 1999, I followed my passion for skiing, competing in Skicross and Big Mountain skiing world tours for a decade.

Anik Wild racing on Lake Tahoe, 2014

2024: Tahoe Waterman Paddle Racing organizer and announcer

What’s your personal connection to Lake Tahoe? How has it shaped your waterman career?

Coming from a small French Canadian town, my initial connection to Lake Tahoe was drawn by the California weather and the majestic Sierra Mountain range. Nestled among these towering peaks is the stunning crystal-blue Lake Tahoe.

As a sprint Canoe and Kayak athlete with multiple Canadian National Championship medals, my aspiration to paddle in Tahoe was inevitable. It wasn’t until I was forced to retire from ski racing before the 2010 Olympics due to a head injury that paddling became a safe and fulfilling way for me to continue my athletic career. The waterman lifestyle, through Outrigger Canoeing and Stand Up Paddleboarding, has since become a central part of my career and athletic endeavors.

For those who haven’t experienced it, can you paint a picture of what makes Lake Tahoe such a unique and special place?

Lake Tahoe, the alpine Caribbean: Imagine 72 miles of shoreline around a crystal-clear alpine lake, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks with the perfect blend of four seasons. In the summer, the lake becomes a playground for paddling, swimming, biking, and hiking, with deep blue waters that are as refreshing as they are stunning. While Tahoe is known as a world-class winter skiing destination, we, the Mountain Watermen, keep paddling on the ‘Big Blue’ year-round.

What makes Tahoe special is its combination of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and the sense of community that thrives here. It’s a place where you can push your limits in nature while feeling deeply connected to your environment.”

Lake Tahoe used to be a major hub for both the U.S. and global SUP race scenes. Can you remind us why it was so significant?

Historically, the Tahoe Nalu, founded by the late Ernie Brassard, and the Tahoe Cup – Tahoe Lake Crossing, created by prone paddleboarder Phil Seagal, were among the world’s earliest Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) events. These pioneering events played a significant role in shaping the SUP culture both at Lake Tahoe and globally, paving the way for the sport’s tremendous growth.

Ernie Brassard, founder of Tahoe Nalu

My husband Jay and I are fortunate to continue this legacy with the Tahoe Cup, now known as the Tahoe Paddle Racing Series, which has evolved to include Outrigger Canoe and Surfski categories alongside SUP and Prone divisions, expanding the experience for all paddling enthusiasts.

The Wild family at work 🙂

Youth camp at Lake Tahoe Waterman’s Landing

In recent years, the SUP scene at Lake Tahoe has quieted down. Do you have any insights into why that happened?

The slowdown of SUP in Tahoe and Northern California can be attributed to several factors. Like many trends, SUP saw explosive growth in its early years, and after rapid expansion, the market naturally plateaued. People initially drawn to the sport’s novelty may have shifted their focus to other water activities like Outrigger Canoeing, Surfski, or other sports altogether. While we still see paddleboarders on Tahoe, they are fewer in number, and most are no longer racing.

What initiatives are you leading or supporting to bring back the energy and excitement to the Tahoe SUP community?

At Tahoe Waterman and our lakefront base camp, we provide performance paddleboard demos and run morning workouts open to the public. These sessions combine intervals with SUP, prone paddleboarding, swimming, and running to create a dynamic waterman workout experience. We aim to attract and introduce curious ‘land’ athletes to the world of water sports.

We offer coaching and training for all crafts, including SUP, and proudly feature award categories for SUP, Prone, Outrigger, and Surfski in the Tahoe Paddle Racing Series. Throughout the series, we challenge paddle athletes with three different race courses: a technical course in June, a Downwind course in August, and the iconic 22-mile Lake Crossing in September.

Dave Boehne, CEO of Infinity, winner of event #2 of the 2024 Tahoe Waterman Paddle Racing series

What are the water and weather conditions like throughout the different seasons at Lake Tahoe?

Spring (March to May): As the snow melts from the Sierra Nevada mountains, the lake starts to warm up, but the water remains quite cold, typically between 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). Winds can be unpredictable, with occasional gusts and inconsistent storms, creating choppy waters that aren’t always ideal for downwind paddling. It’s a quieter time on the lake, with fewer crowds and stunning views of snow-capped peaks.

Summer (June to August): The weather is warm and sunny, with air temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F (21°C to 29°C). Water temperatures rise to a more comfortable range of 65°F to 70°F (18°C to 21°C), perfect for SUP paddling, swimming, and other water activities. Mornings tend to be calm with glassy water, while afternoon winds, especially on the north shore, create a wind swell of 1 to 4 feet. Downwind conditions on the Westshore are epic, and some will surf the North and East Shore.

Fall (September and October): Water temperatures start to drop at night, but days remain relatively warm. We call these months ‘the Local Summer.’ The paddling is beautiful with almost no boat traffic, and winds tend to be calmer. Daytime temperatures range from 50°F to 75°F (10°C to 23°C).

Winter (November to February): Temperatures range from 20°F to 50°F (-6°C to 10°C), and water temperatures drop to 40°F to 45°F (4°C to 7°C). While most focus on skiing and snowboarding, winter paddling is a serene experience for the Waterman crew, with calm waters, clear skies, and snow-draped landscapes.”

Waterman’s Landing. Open all year.

During windy periods, what downwind conditions can paddlers expect? Are there any iconic downwind runs people should know about?

When the wind picks up, downwind conditions on Lake Tahoe can be absolutely epic, no matter the season. The Downwind Championship race in August highlights this with a 9-mile course from the Westshore near Homewood Ski Resort to our beach at Waterman’s Landing. We also have the option to extend the course to 12 miles, ending at Kings Beach.

Jay Wild on his Prone board on a stormy Lake Tahoe day at Sand Harbor near Incline Village, NV.

On a perfect day with strong west winds, we can start from the same location for an incredible 16-mile run to Sand Harbor on the East Shore. Downwind paddling on Tahoe can be challenging, especially when the water is colder or when strong, gusty winds from the surrounding canyons create tricky, ‘funky’ water conditions that make navigation tough. But when everything aligns, it’s an unbeatable experience.

For more information:
Register for the Tahoe Cup Sept. 13-15
www.watermanslanding.com
www.facebook.com/tahoewaterman
www.instagram.com/tahoewaterman/