Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a great outdoor activity to enjoy in Los Angeles any time of the year. Using what is essentially an overgrown surfboard, anyone can enjoy the day paddling on flat water or even venturing into the surf. Besides getting to enjoy a great day on the water, another benefit to stand up paddleboarding is that it will give you one of the greatest ab workouts possible, allowing you to enjoy LA’s great restaurant scene without any guilt.
A flat water paddle in Marina del Rey is a great way to get started with stand up paddleboarding. Regardless of your experience or physical abilities, you can still enjoy paddling around the beautiful yachts parked in the harbor and get up close in personal with wildlife ranging from dolphins to sealions. Any time of day is fine for a paddle, but the best time is definitely mornings before 9:30am, because the wind has not picked and the water is like glass.
The next step from paddling in the protected water of Marina del Rey is venturing into the ocean. If you are not comfortable on your stand up paddleboard, and/or you are not a strong swimmer, we would suggest taking a lesson with Tony from Radfish first. A good instructor will show you how to paddle more efficiently, and how to keep your board heading in a straight line.
Santa Monica is another great place to rent a board or take a lesson with a pro. Check out Poseidon SUP which is just two blocks from the Santa Monica Pier. They have everything you will need and make you feel comfortable on the water in a very short time.
Stand Up Paddleboard Surfing (SUS) is a great way to start riding the waves, and much easier than traditional surfing. Standing on a board gives a surfer a much better vantage to time the oncoming waves, and it is much easier to generate the speed required to catch a wave with a paddleboard than a traditional surfboard. There are numerous beaches with great waves in the LA area, just make sure to show traditional surfers the respect they deserve on the lineup.
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