| Objective: Stand Up Paddleboarding in Santa Monica, California Explore: Ocean Paddling Time: 3 hours |
For a low-impact full-body workout when the waves aren’t crashing, try Stand Up Paddleboarding in Santa Monica. Through Stand Up Paddleboarding (or SUP), you can explore the ocean far beyond the surf breaks. At the board shop, they will give a quick overview and they also offer lessons.
| The Basics | What a Stand Up Guy | Beyond the Pier | Dolphins and a Feeding Frenzy | Plan Your Visit |
The Basics
- Stance: Keep your feet apart a bit shoulder-width apart, centered over the handle, and pointing straight for stability. Bend your knees to absorb shock.
- Paddle: Use your core to power the strokes, not just your arms. Hinge your hips and pull the board past the paddle.
- Vision: Keep your eyes straight ahead.
What a Stand Up Guy
From the shop, it’s just one block downhill to the sand. Muscle Beach is to the left, the pier is to the right, and the ocean is another 1,000 feet ahead. With the board, you wade into the water just left of the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier. The board launches over the low swells. I kneel on the board and stabilize my balance against the waves. It’s happening, I’m standing up on a stand up paddleboard.
Beyond the Pier
After paddling 500 feet next to the pier, there’s a weather buoy with lounging seals. At the end of the pier, turn the board north and set your sights to Malibu. After passing the rocky remnants of the submerged breakwater by the pier, the barking of the seals subsides. When you’re starting out, you can always chill and kneel for a bit. Paddling on tranquil water is relaxing as you travel by the coastal bluffs. For about an hour, paddle until the cliffs of Pacific Palisades before heading back.
Dolphins and a Feeding Frenzy
A seagull flies above my head and interrupts my meditative reverie. Then, I hear a loud splash to my left and spot a dive bombing giant pelican. After swiveling my head, I see a black fin. A few seconds later, a dolphin flies out of the water in a beautiful arc. And then another one soars into the air. Even a little baby dolphin makes a leap. Thirty seconds later, the dolphins are already a mile away. As the pod of dolphins chase down schools, a flock of seagulls and crafty pelicans swoop up the stranded fish.
As an added treat, I catch a rather tasty wave back to shore.
Plan Your Visit
| Vendor: Poseidon Paddle & Surf Address: 1654 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA (one block from the pier) Price: Rental: $50, 4 hours Lesson: $140 Provided: Stand Up Paddleboard, paddle What to Bring: Swim suit, camera and waterproof case |
More Santa Monica Adventures
If you are looking for other epic adventures near Santa Monica, check out the following.