Read This Before Paddleboarding Big Bear Lake

If you live in or are visiting southern California and are into paddleboarding, you are may be considering heading to Big Bear lake to paddle around now that the weather is getting warmer and quarantine is opening up. Below are some things we wish someone would have told us before venturing out.

1. Get a Lake Use Permit

I'm not sure when this requirement went into effect, but it is now necessary to fill out a lake use permit with the Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power for any vessel (motorized or unmotorized, greater than 8ft in length). To do this, you need to go to a public launch ramp or DWP office to have your vessel (paddleboard, kayak, pool toy) inspected, approved and assigned a Lake Use Permit. This will cost you about $25 per vessel, and an extra $30 per vessel if you get caught on the open water without one and need to buy one from the lake warden on the water (not sure if they accept cash). Full disclosure, we did not purchase a permit because the office was too far from Boulder Bay and we had just landed a Very plush parking spot. We managed to paddle out for two hours without catching the lake warden's eye.

Our view inflating the Roamer boards in the parking lot of Boulder Bay Park. 

2. Stick to Boulder Bay

Boulder Bay Park is a great launch point to go kayaking and paddleboarding. It is easy to get to as it is just off the main highway as you come into Big Bear and parking is free and relatively open. It can get a bit crowded as there is a park and a kayak rental shop nearby, and the kayak launch is a tiny strip of beach accessed by a small trail, but once you are out on the water the bay offers calm waters and scenic vistas and very low boat traffic.

However, the minute you make it into the lake proper on a bright spring or summer day and you will be accosted by dozens of speedboats intent on setting a new freshwater record. This results in wakes and waves that will knock you off your board faster than a triple shot of cheap mexican tequila. We kept near shore and made it about half mile north of the park, but eventually had to turn back to Boulder Bay because the waves got too hairy. Not bad for a kayaker, but just too big to comfortably stand up paddle. I nearly lost the cooler on one particularly large wake that flipped me and my 10'6" board like a pancake. Maybe we will go back during the Fall or Winter months when there are less boats on the water. Until then, we will stick to the bays. 

the view looking towards the shore in Boulder Bay.