STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING: ORANGE COUNTY’S BEST OCEAN TOURS
Famous Laguna Beach artist and conservationist Wyland once said, “the ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.” At La Vida Laguna, we live this, and our goal is to provide ocean experiences accessible to just about everyone. Our stand up paddleboarding tours are the perfect option for those that love the sea and wish to explore its pristine waters, but let’s start with a few basics.
DO I NEED STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING LESSONS?
You really don’t need tons of stand up paddleboarding lessons to feel confident about the sport. We also could have titled this section, “Is Stand Up Paddle Boarding Hard?” as we are often asked this question. From a cursory glance, it looks pretty easy and, luckily, it’s one of those rare sports that looks easy and is super easy to learn. And learning on the ocean will teach you to handle all kinds of conditions.
Stand up paddleboarding is an ideal activity for people of all ages and you don’t have to be in great physical shape to paddle along and enjoy the emerald coastal waters of Laguna Beach. We launch from Fisherman’s Cove, which is Laguna’s calmest, most wave-protected cove.
Our paddle boarding tours are perfect for beginners as well as experienced paddle boarders. If you want to learn how to paddle board, our tours can be a great start. We’ll teach you all the basics and you will be up and paddling along in no time at all. It really is that simple. Once you’ve been on one of our tours, you will have gained the knowledge you need to enjoy paddleboarding for the long haul.
STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING: TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. STAY SAFE
One of the most important tips we can share is that all paddle boarders, regardless of experience level should be wearing a life vest at all times. While the risk of injury with paddle boarding is low, there is always the chance that you might fall off the board or be incapacitated, and that life vest might very well save your life.
2. LEARN HOW TO STAND
Paddleboarding is all about balance. Where to stand on your board is crucial to success. We’ll start you on your knees, where you can still paddle, and coach you on simple “pop-up” techniques – either one foot at a time, or both.
3. LEARN HOW TO FALL
If you think experienced paddlers don’t fall off their boards, think again. While falling isn’t common, learning how to fall is important. If you lose your balance, try first to drop back down to your knees. If that doesn’t work, simply try to fall away from your board. Then simply swim back to it and climb back on – tummy first.
4. DON’T LOOK DOWN
This sounds ominous, but it’s really not. Just like in snow skiing or bicycling, if you keep your head up, you are far more likely to be able to maintain your balance. When you look down, you tend to get all wobbly, and it’s just harder to balance. Keep your head up and enjoy the stunning views of Laguna, and you’ll find that balancing is easier than you expected.
5. LEARN HOW TO PADDLE
When you come out for one of our tours, we will teach all the basics. We will teach how to hold the paddle properly and the proper way to paddle. We also will teach you how to launch your paddleboard and stand up. Using the paddle isn’t hard, but it takes a few minutes to get the hang of it.
Once you are up its time to move. And like biking, it’s easier to balance when you are moving and the board skims the water. Bend your knees a bit to absorb the chop. Use your legs to counter balance. Keep your upper body still. Look ahead, reach forward and “scoop” the water towards you. Take a full stroke and another. If your board begins to turn, switch sides. Now you’re gliding silently across the sea.
6. BREATHE
Perhaps the most important tip we can offer is to simply relax. Don’t stiffen and tense your jaw. Check in and make sure you are relaxed, paddling rhythmically, and focused on deep inhales and exhales. You will achieve a sublime, meditative state that reinforces your connection to nature and the beauty around you. You’ll feel invigorated and at one with nature. Stay calm. Most accidents happen when people panic and their breath quickens.
Again, our customers include people who’ve never been on a paddleboard as well as those with a great deal of experience and everything in between. Our tours are scenic and informative, so people of all abilities will enjoy their Laguna Beach paddle boarding adventure.
Once you’ve headed out with us on a paddleboarding adventure, you’ll be tempted to buy a board and become a paddle boarding enthusiast, and why not? Paddle boarding is a fantastic outdoor activity, especially here in Southern California where we have so many great spots for paddle boarding.
5 BENEFITS OF STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING
1. IMPROVE YOUR MOOD
Exercise, in general, can be a great mood elevator. When you start to exercise, your blood starts to flow and your body begins to release endorphins, which are hormones that can boost your mood.
When it comes to stand up paddleboarding, it’s not just the exercise and endorphins that will elevate your mood. Simply spending time outside and enjoying the fresh sea air can be very healing. These days our stress levels seem to be at an all-time high and getting out into nature can be a great way to reduce stress and improve our overall health.
2. IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE
Balancing exercises have been shown to help you reduce the likelihood of falls and other types of injury. If you’re that person that always seems to stumble on invisible cracks on the sidewalk or you’ve had a few ankle injuries or you want to improve your overall mobility, stand up paddleboarding can improve your body’s ability to balance.
3. IT’S A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT
While stand up paddleboarding isn’t hard to learn and it might look super easy and tame, an hour of paddling provides you with a terrific whole-body workout. One of the biggest perks is that it strengthens your core muscles. Core exercises target your lower back and abdominal muscles, and a strong core can improve your balance also reduce back pain and the likelihood of back injuries.
4. SOAK UP SOME VITAMIN D
Our amazing sun provides us with a natural source of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is common it can cause everything from fatigue to immunity issues. In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been tied to poorer outcomes in some Covid-19 patients.
Southern Californians are particularly fortunate because our global position allows us more opportunities throughout the year to enjoy those UVB rays that help us synthesize vitamin D. Spending time outside in the midday sun can be a great way to boost your Vitamin D levels.
5. IT’S A LONG-TERM HOBBY
There are some activities that can be harder to do as we age but stand up paddleboarding isn’t one of them. On our paddleboarding tours, we take out people of all ages, from 12 and up. Many people in their 70s and 80s enjoy paddleboarding, so we highly recommend that those Baby Boomers get out there and enjoy some paddling. It’s fun, it’s easy and it can be social, as well, and it’s an especially perfect option for social distancing.
Additionally, while paddle boarding in Orange County can be a lot of fun, you can take your boards to many exciting destinations. While we love being out on the open ocean, why not bring your board on your next vacation. You can paddle board in many rivers and lakes. Whether you want to enjoy some mountain breezes in Lake Tahoe or explore the Ozarks, your paddleboard can help make it happen.
OTHER OCEAN ADVENTURES: SURF LESSONS & KAYAKING
In addition to stand up paddleboarding tours, we also offer surf lessons and amazing ocean kayaking adventures. Unlike many local tour companies, we have an actual physical location adjacent to the beach. We offer bathrooms, hot showers and an outdoor changing area where you can change in and out of your wetsuit rather than changing on the beach.
During your two-hour surf lesson, you will learn how to paddle out, wave judgment, surf etiquette and pop-up techniques. With our surf lessons, we have a high rate of success getting students to stand up their first time out. Our lessons are taught at Thalia Street, which is an ideal location for beginner waves.
If you’ve ever wanted to try out a kayak in Southern California, our ocean kayak adventures are a perfect option. We launch from a hidden, wave-protected cove and our expert guides will be with you every stroke of the way. During our kayak adventures, we typically see a variety of marine animals, including sea lions, dolphins and, possibly, whales. No experience is necessary for the kayak treks; these tours are for everyone who can swim and loves the ocean.
BOOK AN ADVENTURE TODAY
Ready to get started with paddle boarding in Orange County? At La Vida Laguna, our 90-minute paddle adventures are perfect whether you want to learn the sport or you just want to explore the Laguna Coast. If you’d prefer surf lessons or kayaking, we have daily spots open for these adventures as well. So, book a tour and get out there and enjoy Orange County’s best ocean experiences.