Quick Details
All SUP participants are required to follow our rental rules and guidelines:
- Reminder – Everyone MUST have a life jacket at all times.
- The ankle leash must be worn at all times.
- No boarding outside of swimming area. You must stay in sight of our location.
- Protect equipment – Avoid shallow water where fin could drag or break. No “beaching” the board, except in emergency. Use paddles with care. Do not use paddle to push off debris.
- Only one person per paddle board.
- No dogs or other pets on paddle boards.
- If caught in high winds, lie on stomach or knees and paddle to safety. Always begin your paddle going into the wind so it is easier coming back.
Go Paddle boarding in Fort Myers Beach, FL!
SUP (Stand Up Paddling) is the fastest growing water sport in the world! It’s the latest craze to sweep the waterways creating a buzz and earning a reputation as a walk-on-water phenomenon. A uniquely soulful experience, SUP is great for youth, athletes, and grandparents alike!
SUP is a hybrid sport that utilizes lower, mid, and upper body muscle groups providing one of the best core work-outs available. The low-impact core training is one of the fundamental reasons why SUP has gained so much momentum and popularity throughout the world!
Common Paddle Board Mistakes
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First time paddlers tend to lean forward at the waist, and use their arms like they’re stirring a big bowl of soup. Completely neglecting the bigger muscle groups – back, core & legs.
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You get no leverage this way, and usually a symptom that you’re using your arms, and again .. not your powerful back, core & legs.
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Looking down at their feet the whole time, it’s surprising they don’t beach themselves. Your body follows where you look.
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Only putting half the paddle in the water, and splashing water everywhere when stroking?!
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Doing this, you’re missing out on the most powerful part of the stroke, and paddling past your feet is counter-productive and energy sapping.
The Solutions
As Mr Myagi said in Karate Kid, “First come balance. Then everything else follow”. Below are some fundamentals:
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Here’s a tip – it’s not your arms. Sure, it looks like paddlers use their arms, but the arms are simply the “structure” or “levers” that allow you to engage your (soon to be) powerful back, core and legs – muscles that are much stronger than your arms. Stand Up Paddle is a full body experience. Straighten your arms, bend your knees, twist your core and engage your back.
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Once the paddle passes your feet, you’re essentially “shovelling water”. The paddle is in an upward arc and you’re driving the board down into the water – not very productive. The most power is attained by having a long forward reach, and finishing the stroke not far past your feet.