Guest Post - 5 Of The Most Beautiful Places To Paddle Board Around The WorldAlthough stand-up paddle boarding began early on in Waikiki in the 1950’s, it really started gaining popularity in the 2000’s, when people started seeing just how cool, and entertaining, it really is. Laird Hamilton is known as one of the most influential guys to breathe new life into stand-up paddle board. He began using it as a way to exercise, and get a workout in, and after some time, it became the thing to do. While this is how paddle boarding began, it certainly has a lot more to it, now. People all across the world enjoy this sport and find it enjoyable on vacation, and as a leisure activity for the weekend. For some of the most beautiful places to hit the water and paddle board, read on. California, baby Top location for surfing, sunset cruising, and chilling out, California has a big community of paddle boarders lining up up and down the coast, in Santa Barbara, San Diego, or Redondo Beach. SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) yoga is also really popular here.
Mary Beth Larue and Jackie Carr pictured in front of Seal Rock, Laguna Beach
Our favorite destination in California is definitely Laguna Beach. Specifically, Divers Cove. Although popular for diving, Divers Cove is an amazing place for paddle board lovers. The water teems with all sorts of sea life, including California Sea Lions, dolphins, and rays. There are reefs to be found, running parallel with the beach, and it is especially well-protected from the surf - perfect for stand-up paddle boarders. Back to Hawaii You can’t deny Hawaii. It’s where it all started. It’s like ignoring the US when talking about country music. When you’re in Hawaii, your SUP partners will be locals and travelers just like you, which is fun, because you get that sense of community. Try Oahu, which is popular for good reasons. There’s a good portion of flat water at Puaena Point, not to mention lots of parking spaces and showers. This is the place to go if you’re just starting out.If you’re more into waves, ask locals about spots on the north shore, and they’ll definitely direct you to where you want to paddle. Waters of Mexico Punta Mita is a small beachfront village close to Puerto Vallarta. It is surrounded by the Pacific on three sides, so you have plenty of paddling options. This is the low-key option for your SUP travel. It’s quiet and not very touristic, but you can get a good paddle board lesson from champion surfer Gerry Lopez. Just ask at Hotel Cinco, a good place to start your SUP adventure, as they also rent equipment for boarders. Secret India
India’s still a hush-hush paddle boarding destination. Surfing Yogis, who would’ve thought, will be your company as you paddle away, and maybe you can learn a thing or two from them if you catch the Annual Surf Festival they host. That’ll make for an 100% unique experience. Look for Bay of Bengal, where two of the favorite SUP locations can be found - Kushabhadra River and Chilika Lake. Bora Bora Beach Land of tranquil waters so perfectly still, Bora Bora is an open sea menagerie populated with dolphins, turtles, and fish. The over-the-water bungalows, Mount Otemanu, Matira beach with its crystal clear water and pure sands are a great distraction, but if you can get out of contemplation mode and into action mode, you won’t regret it. This is the perfect place to start paddle boarding, but it’s not half bad for any water-related activities, like snorkeling, swimming, or diving. Walk the Waters There are plenty of amazing spots for SUP. Some of them are close to home, while some, like exotic gems, are continents away. Let the board take you where you feel it should. Find your perfect beach, your perfect water, and just cruise away. Tara Heath is a freelance writer in Southern California. Paddle boarding is a sport she really enjoys, and would love to be able to travel the world in search of beautiful spots. Her writings span a wide variety of topics, and she often contributes to the Candy Concepts Inc. blog.