A beautiful Saturday afternoon meant we were finally going to try out something I have wanted to do for a while now… Stand Up Paddle Boarding! Also known as SUP, it is a great (and fun) full body workout and is fairly easy to catch on once you get used to it.
Since it was our first time stand up paddle boarding, we opted to start with a lesson to make sure we got the basics down before going out on the water on our own. We went to the Boulder Reservoir and got our SUP lessons and boards from Rocky Mountain Paddle Board.
Our instructor casually doing a headstand on the board
The lessons are a must, especially if it is your first time. They were very informative and were so helpful in preparing us how to use proper form and techniques. After learning the basics, we went out on the water starting on our knees just to get a feel for being on the water and get comfortable on the board.
It doesn’t take long to become more stable and comfortable on the board. It is a blast to be out on the water and it’s a fantastic way to take advantage of gorgeous weather!
Have you ever been stand up paddle boarding? What did you think?
29 Comments
Tim
June 10, 2017 at 9:24 amHey Marissa Are you still paddle boarding? Come over and write for us if you are!! 🙂
Glowriya Walker
December 7, 2016 at 11:13 pmHi, Marissa great idea and I promise to you I will try this very soon.
Thanks.
Gifts For the Travelers in Your Life - 2016 Edition
December 1, 2015 at 7:35 am[…] snazzy new GoPro camera is the perfect gift for the adventurous traveler in your life. When I am stand up paddleboarding, swimming in caves, or skiing, my GoPro always comes in handy so I don’t have to worry about […]
Sarah Ebner
October 10, 2014 at 6:43 amThis looks such fun – as long as my knees were up to it!
Marissa Sutera
October 10, 2014 at 8:02 pmIt was a blast! You could always take a dip in the water to give your knees a break 🙂
Adelina // Pack Me To
October 2, 2014 at 12:38 pmI wish I had considered a lesson when I went for the first time. It’s so important to do it in calm waters though which I didn’t. I was so proud I didn’t take a swim. I’d love to do this in a warmer climate though.
Marissa Sutera
October 2, 2014 at 7:19 pmThe lesson was key to how well it went my first time. It was also a perk to go when it was warm out, so although I didn’t fall in I still took a dip to cool off!
Lauren
September 30, 2014 at 9:54 pmI’ve wanted to try this for a while! It looks like a lot of fun and a great workout! Thanks so much for linking up with #WeekendWanderlust!
Marissa Sutera
October 1, 2014 at 6:51 amIt really is all of the above! Already can’t wait until I can go back 🙂
Jess
September 29, 2014 at 7:30 pmI’ve wanted to try stand up paddleboarding for a while – but I keep picturing myself falling over! I think a lesson could definitely help.
Marissa Sutera
September 29, 2014 at 7:56 pmHaha I felt like that was going to be me when I first got on the board. But it wasn’t so bad after a while, definitely worth a try!
Marissa@TravelingSolemates
September 29, 2014 at 12:20 pmHi Marissa, that looks like a lot of fun. It great you got the hang of it fairly quickly. That’s one thing I’d love to try myself. I guess it’s a good idea to start with a lesson. Thanks for the inspiration.
Marissa Sutera
September 29, 2014 at 7:53 pmIt’s definitely worth it! Good luck and enjoy!
Anna | slightly astray
September 28, 2014 at 8:18 pmI Love SUP!!! I’ve only done it a couple of times, but I fell in love with it the first time! I actually took one of those yoga SUP classes… it was a blast! Oh.. I dream of living life as an island girl, and spending all day floating on a SUP!
Marissa Sutera
September 28, 2014 at 8:52 pmThat sounds perfect! The place I went to has SUP yoga classes too.. I’ll have to try that out!
Sammi Wanderlustin'
September 28, 2014 at 11:22 amThis is something I am *dying* to do!
Did you enjoy it?!
Marissa Sutera
September 28, 2014 at 2:17 pmYes it was SO much fun! It was challenging at first, but you catch on quickly and I can’t wait to get back out there again! Hope you have the chance to try it!
Evanne @ Poplar Travels
September 28, 2014 at 1:44 amWe tried SUP for the first time in California this summer and loved it! It’s a really fun way to see the scenery and get a workout at the same time. I thought it was going to be way harder to stand than it was. Can’t wait to do it again!
Marissa Sutera
September 28, 2014 at 2:15 pmI felt the same! I was a bit rocky at first, but I caught on pretty quickly. It’s certainly a fun way to spend the day!
Elaine
September 27, 2014 at 6:32 pmSeems simple … but I have underestimated other activities at my peril before. I would certainly like to try this sport though!
Marissa Sutera
September 27, 2014 at 6:34 pmI was very close to saying eh, I can do that without a lesson! So glad I changed my mind on that one. It’s a lot more fun when you actually know if you’re doing it right!
Anda
September 27, 2014 at 5:57 pmIt’s a good thing you started this in calmer waters. I started it in the ocean, in Hawaii, and it was rough. Lakes are pretty good for it, so keep doing it, you’ll get better and better.
Marissa Sutera
September 27, 2014 at 6:12 pmYikes! Glad I had some nice peaceful waters to start with! Especially because it takes some time to really get your balance. Hope to go a whole lot more next summer!
Carmen (CarmensTravelTips)
September 27, 2014 at 2:02 pmI’ve been tried to go on a paddle board and they are pretty popular here in Fort Lauderdale. They tell me that it’s a lot of fun, and a great workout. I might have to try it out myself one day. Thanks for linking up to #WeekendWanderlust this week.
Marissa Sutera
September 27, 2014 at 6:10 pmYes you gotta check it out! Take a lesson beforehand so you can make sure you have proper form, and it may just become a new hobby 🙂
Marian Krueger
September 27, 2014 at 7:47 amI tried SUP last October in Noumea with not the best success (long story, video forthcoming!). Every time I see posts or pics I want to try it again, but with proper instruction. Thanks for sharing!
Marissa Sutera
September 27, 2014 at 6:09 pmThat’s great that you got a video, can’t wait to see that 🙂 I was debating on taking the lesson before, and in the end I was SO glad I did. It definitely helps a lot!
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe
September 27, 2014 at 5:13 amI’ve never been on a paddle board and as I’m not a swimmer I don’t think I will but thanks for sharing your experience via the #WeekendWanderlust hook up.
Marissa Sutera
September 27, 2014 at 6:06 pmIt’s actually not as bad as you may think! I’m not much of a swimmer either, but if you ask for a more stable board it’s not likely you will even be in the water at all. I only took a dip in the water since it was hot out, and they have life jackets available too! Although it certainly is not for everyone, it could be worth a try!