The zen of stand-up paddle boarding

October 10, 2011 in Australia,Places

Every time I’ve watched stand-up paddle boarders, I’ve thought that it can’t be that hard and I’ve wondered what the appeal was. It doesn’t seem as difficult as surfing or as exhilarating as snowboarding, yet it’s become more and more popular on my favorite beaches in Maui, Orange County and St Kilda.

St Kilda Beach Stand Up Paddleboarding SUPB, Melbourne, Australia

I finally decided to give it a try with SUP St Kilda on a strangely windy day in St Kilda. The wind meant that we stayed close to the pier instead of paddling out into the bay, but an hour-long lesson was still enough to show off the sport’s appeal.

What I loved most about stand-up paddle boarding was the singular focus it requires. You simply have to block out everything else and concentrate on your balance and your rhythm: it’s a freeing experience to let go of that day’s personal doubts and dramas. I realized that I was using the breathing techniques I used to employ on long-distance runs (in a former life where I actually did things like that) and repeating the personal mantra that has stuck with me since my first sunrise yoga class.

The “workout” aspect of stand-up paddle boarding seemed almost secondary, but my arms were certainly sorer the next day. It requires a good sense of balance and a strong core, but it’s not incredibly athletic or challenging. In that way, it seems similar to running: technically, everyone can do it. It’s just whether or not you have the motivation to stick with it long enough to see the benefits.

Sunset on St Kilda Beach, Melbourne, Australia

It doesn’t hurt that being surrounded by such a gorgeous natural setting. SUP has locations in St Kilda Beach, the Yarra River and Sorrento Beach. I’m incredibly lucky to live just a few steps from St Kilda Beach, zig-zagging my way through the tourists on my run to the gym and ducking out of wedding and engagement photos as I walk to meet friends for a drink: it is a beautiful place to try out stand-up paddle boarding (much more so than the brown hues of the Yarra, methinks).

St Kilda Stand up Paddleboarding SUPB, Melbourne, Australia

The SUP St Kilda experience was awesome, informative and very laid-back. The instructor does a quite thorough job on prepping you on what to expect, how to get up and how to paddle while still on the sand. Once you head out into the water, they’re on hand to help if you have any questions, but mostly just let you head out and enjoy.

Note: SUP St Kilda graciously offered me a discounted rate, but all opinions are my own.

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Tagged as: Australia, Melbourne, Outdoors, St Kilda

  • http://www.eurotriptips.com Marie @ Eurotriptips

    Looks like you had fun! Gorgeous sunset photos, as usual. I am so jealous of the warm weather! :-)

  • Anonymous

    It sounds like so much fun! I surfed in Byron Bay and remembered my arms aching fiercely the next day!  :)  

  • http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/ Kristina

    Always wanted to try this! As I will be moving to Melbourne next month, I think I will try it sooner then later :)

  • http://twitter.com/DangerousBiz Amanda Williams

    I’ve done regular surfing in NZ, and paddle boarding/paddle board surfing in Florida. They all were really fun, and I can definitely understand the appeal of all sports that involve a surfboard. Living in Ohio, however, I doubt I’ll ever have much opportunity to practice!

  • Ian

    Two hours SUP in Wells, ME. no wet suit, the end is near. Fortuanetly have winter kit so will still continue.
    Cheers.

  • Megan

    Very cool! I want to learn how to paddle board and surf. Hopefully one of these times I visit my boyfriend in California, we’ll get the chance to do so.

  • Candice

    This is awesome, Christine. I watched people doing this in Vancouver and I couldn’t understand how they managed to stay so balanced! Haha. 

  • Anonymous

    And only getting warmer here–finally! :)

  • Anonymous

    Haven’t actually surfed yet in Oz–only in Hawaii! Paddleboarding was MUCH more my style since I don’t really like getting my face wet and the waves here are intense :)

  • Anonymous

    You must! It’s gorgeous at St Kilda Beach!

  • Anonymous

    That’s my problem! I love any board sport–paddleboarding, surfing, snowboarding–but I never live in the right area (or long enough!) to fully take advantage and get good at it!

  • Anonymous

    Definitely try it out–paddle boarding and surfing are totally different sports, but both great in their own way!

  • Anonymous

    Haha I definitely think my yoga skills came into play!

  • http://notinthepink.com Ceri

    Gosh, the photos are incredible and, I do have to admit, I’d never heard of stand-up paddle boarding until now. :) Maybe I’ll have the opportunity to give it a go one day.

  • molly

    i love SUP!

  • Anonymous

    I’m really looking forward to trying stand up paddle boarding when I’m on Moreton Island in a week’s time. Seems like something I could really enjoy.

  • http://myexpatgermany.com Laurel

    I want to try paddle boarding but didn’t know what to expect, nice to hear that it’s so zen. 

  • Anonymous

    It’s really fun and pretty easy–worth a try if you get the opportunity!

  • Anonymous

    So fun! Really hoping to try it again!

  • Anonymous

    You’ll have to let me know how you go–I really enjoyed it!

  • Anonymous

    It was the perfect water sport for me–probably because I didn’t fall it! Was an excellent core/meditative workout :)

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  • http://waywardtraveller.com/ Annie

    We just did a SUP lesson/Harbor Tour here in Sydney, it was great and we loved the sport! I’m thinking about getting more into it and the company we took the tour with (which is really just a couple a few years older than us) also does yoga classes on the boards! Very cool!

    I’m glad you got to enjoy the sport on beautiful St. Kilda!

  • http://profiles.google.com/canadianculinarytravel Murissa Shalapata

    Next time I am in Hawaii I will give it a try.
    They have just started bringing paddle boards to Okanagan Lake in BC Canada. 
    Obviously it is too cold to do it now. 
    Thanks for sharing and congrats on trying it!

    The Wanderfull Traveler

  • Anonymous

    Ooooh I would LOVE to try yoga on a board! What a cool concept!

  • Anonymous

    Definitely a sport to stick to when it’s warm, but worth trying!

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  • http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/ Kristina

    Hey Christine,
    I just moved to Melbourne and I was reading that you live close to ST Kilda beach. We are currently looking for apartments and would love to live in St KIlda but I have heard some strange comments about drunken backpackers, red light district…. As for now, I have only been there during a weekday in the early evening, so for sure I did not see any of this…. How was your expereince? Would you recommend the area? Also looking for apartments in South Yarra, Prahran, Richmond, but the idea of living so close to the bach is just too tempting :) Would love to hear your opinion! Thanks!!! Kristina

  • Anonymous

    I absolutely LOVED St Kilda and I can’t imagine a better place to live over the summer! Being close to the beach is unreal. Yes, there are drunken backpackers, and yes, I would avoid Carlise Street after dark because of the prostitutes, but I honestly have never felt safer in a city than in St Kilda and Melbourne. Highly recommend! I worked in Prahran, and I like that and the South Yarra neighborhood, but I definitely prefer St Kilda :)

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