SUP Lesson Information
If I have never SUP’d before, is this for me?
About 95% of our students have never SUPed before, let alone held a Stand Up Paddle board. Our SUP lessons are tailored to beginners. The only prerequisites are that you are able to swim, and ready to have the time of your life!
Do you have a valid permit from the Town of Wrightsville Beach to operate on the Beach Front?
We do have a valid permit. This ensures that we have current liability insurance and workman’s comp insurance. All of our instructors carry a copy of this permit at all times. It is the law in Wrightsville Beach!
Who are our instructors and coaches?
- This season, we invested over 2,000 hours of training into our team. After combing through hundreds of applications each year, we select, interview, and hire only the best. Prior to the start of each season, every employee is certified in First Aid and CPR through the American Red Cross, certified as Level 1 Surf/SUP Instructor through our in-house training, and must pass a 500yd open ocean swim test.
- One of the other traits that we look for in potential employees is a background education in marine and environmental science. In fact, many of our instructors are teachers, outdoor educators, or currently studying one of these fields. All of our employees are professionals who are highly trained, dependable, and are here to help your surfing progression in an accommodating friendly manner. Profiles on all of our instructors can be viewed under the our founder link on our website.
What time are lessons offered?
Group Lesson/Tour times are from 9:00am – 11:00am and from 5:00pm – 7:00pm , but for private groups we do try to cater to your schedule as much as possible. Call for exact times once you have dates in mind.
What types of lessons do you offer?
We offer both private lessons and private group lessons. These can both be two or three hour lessons.
What age range are your students?
We have students of all ages! We offer private lessons for ages 5 and up. Semi-private and group lessons are available for ages 10 and up.
Do you provide all the equipment?
All equipment is provided. The Stand Up Paddle boards and paddles that we use are of the highest quality and are most conducive to safe learning and productive SUP’ing.
What sort of payment do you accept?
We accept VISA/MC/AMEX credit cards or cash. Your credit card will not be run until the lesson is completed.
Should I tip my guide?
Our team works hard to exceed your expectations and ensure that you have an unforgettable experience. If at the end of your lesson/tour you are pleased with the performance of your instructor, a gratuity is never expected but would be greatly appreciated.
What happens if conditions are unfavorable for SUP’ing on a particular day?
Should weather or wave conditions cause us to cancel a lesson, we will make every effort to reschedule. We average a 97% SUPability factor during our summer season, so days are rarely missed. Your safety and enjoyment is our concern so we will reschedule your lesson if conditions are unsafe or unfavorable.
What do I need to bring?
We recommend bringing a small beach bag with the essentials; sunscreen, water bottle, and a towel. Other than that, you can just wear your bathing suit/ board shorts.
SUP Lessons
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding traces its roots back to Waikiki, Oahu in Hawaii. Its origins stem from combining the traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe with the surf board. Stand Up Paddle boarding proved to be a great way to catch and ride the gentle rollers of the South Shore. Nowadays, ironmen such as Laird Hamilton and Garrett McNamara stroke into Goliath sized waves on the North Shores of Maui and Oahu or anywhere else they can find them on their SUP boards. Most of us, however, prefer to simply get a decent workout and ride some of our own gentle local rollers.
The beauty of learning to SUP is that it can be done on any flat, calm body of water. Maybe you’ve already taken this step, but now you’d like to bring it to the ocean and attempt to surf on your Stand Up Paddle board. With some basic instruction, you will be on your way to not only paddling out in the ocean, but catching waves as well.
The first challenge is learning to get out and establish your sea legs. The ocean is the most dynamic environment on earth. Everything is constantly moving, and the key is to let go and feel that movement beneath you. Instead of struggling to fight and resist the movement, you will learn to go with it, allowing the ocean to ebb and flow under your feet and your Stand Up Paddle board. Using similar paddling techniques and core muscles, you will quickly enjoy the feeling of rising up, over, and down the backs of the slow-rolling open ocean swells.
Once you’ve reached a stable comfort level paddling in the ocean, you will be taught how to read the waves. For someone that already surfs, this may come naturally. For those that haven’t, it will be a skill that comes with time and patience. There are methods that you will learn which will be helpful for predicting breaking waves, where to be as they approach, and how to catch them. Like riding a bicycle, once you’re moving on your board, you will feel an increased sense of stability that comes with your momentum. The thrill of sliding down the face of a breaking wave is intoxicating and addictive. If this is your first time gliding along like the dolphins or pelicans, be prepared to spend the rest of your life enjoying it as they do. You will gain an appreciation for the ocean, wave riding, and life, like never before!
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