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Intro to Stand Up Paddling (Includes photos!)
Come discover the thrill of Stand Up Paddling! Stand Up Paddleboarding (or SUP) is the fastest growing water sport in the world for good reason – it’s incredibly fun and easy to learn. Covewater Paddle Surf Shop’s lessons are lead by our small team of instructors - the friendliest and most experienced in Northern California, without exception. We’ll provide you with a stand up paddleboard, paddle, wetsuit (if desired) and the patient, friendly and professional instruction that will have you loving the sport in no time.
The class will paddle the serene waters of the Santa Cruz Harbor, enjoying gorgeous views and local wildlife including sea birds, sea otters and playful seals. We will cover all the basics you need: proper stance, paddling technique, turning and more. And not only is SUP a great time, it’s also an excellent core workout!
We'll take ample pictures of you in action on the water and email them so you can share the fun of SUP with your friends. After the class, drop by the nearby shop for a half price board rental coupon! Now that you know how to do it, you can rent your own! For more info, please see the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $59 (includes photos and 1/2 price rental coupon)
Frequently Asked Questions
Women’s Intro to Stand Up Paddling (Includes photos!)
Sometimes it’s more fun to do things with just the girls! The women’s Intro to Stand Up Paddling follows the same format as our regular Intro class, but with only women participants and a female instructor, Covewater owner Leslie.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (or SUP) is the fastest growing water sport in the world and for good reason – it’s incredibly fun and easy to learn. We’ll provide you with a stand up paddleboard, paddle and wetsuit (if desired). Leslie’s friendly and patient instruction skills will have you loving the sport in no time.
We’ll paddle the serene waters of the Santa Cruz Harbor, enjoying the gorgeous views and the local wildlife including sea birds, sea otters and playful harbor seals. Leslie will work with you on all the basics you need: stance, paddling technique, turning and more. Leslie will also explain the stroke technique that unlocks that "core" workout that is so beneficial from this sport and how it relates to the female paddler. Not only is SUP a great time, but it also happens to be an excellent core workout!
Leslie will take pictures of you on the water and email them to you so you can show your friends the fun of stand up paddling. After the class, you can drop by the nearby shop and pick up a complementary half-price rental coupon. For more info, please see the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $59 (includes photos and t-shirt)
Frequently Asked Questions
SUP Fitness Classes
Looking for something NEW in your workout? Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is the ultimate cross-training discipline! Everyone from triathletes to celebrities to weekend warriors are utilizing SUP the new cross-training platform. SUP is famous for giving an excellent "core" workout that benefits everyone, no matter what their sport or lifestyle. Skip the crowds and smells of the gym, and enjoy working out among aea otters, harbor seals and pelicans on the serene waters of the Santa Cruz harbor under open skies and shining sun! (MORE)...
Duration: 1.25 hours
Cost: $29 ($20 with own board)
5-Classes: $100 ($20 per class)
SUP Yoga Classes in Warm Water!
EVERY FRIDAY EVENING - 6:00 PM at SIMKINS SWIM CENTER
Enjoy the fun of yoga outdoors on a paddleboard on the warm waters of the Simkins Swim Center in Santa Cruz! These fun and accessable classes are every Friday evening at 6:00 PM. Classes are just $12. Like any yoga class, they are drop in - no registration is necessary.
Your certified instructor will guide you through easy and basic yoga classic poses, then lead you to moderately challenging poses as the class progresses. If you happen to fall off while challenging yourself during moderate poses, no problem! The water is a wonderful 78 degrees warm, and its all part of the fun. Try it once and we guarantee you will have a good time, laugh, and want to do it again. This is an incredibly enjoyable, accessible and unique experience! Brought to you by Covewater and Santa Cruz Standup Paddleboard Company, this is our THIRD year of providing these gratifiying classes at the warm, calm waters of Simkins Aquatic Center!
(MORE INFO)…
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Just $12
Elkhorn Slough Tours (Includes photos!)
Stand Up Paddle the gorgeous Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing. Elkhorn is a jewel on California’s coastline - - the second largest remaining salt marsh in California and one of the 25 most significant biodiversity hotspots in the world. The Slough provides extraordinary biological diversity, providing habitat for more than 135 aquatic birds, 550 marine invertebrate and 102 fish species.
During this paddle, participants will normally see abundant sea otters feeding in the Moss Landing harbor and Slough as well as harbor seals, sea lions and countless species of birds including the majestic Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and endangered American Peregrine Falcon and California Brown Pelican. The standing position gives paddlers a fantastic view of these creatures and the tidal channels that we’ll explore, as well as a perfect perspective for excellent photos of the same. (more)…
Duration: 3.0 hours
Cost: $89
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Wear?
During the warm spring, summer and fall months, we recommend just board shorts (shorts suitable for the water) with a long sleeve "water shirt" (a lycra or nylon shirt is great, like a biking shirt or running shirt). This is standard paddling gear, and most are surprised how warm they are when stand up padding. If the weather forcast looks a bit chilly for your class, or you are particularly sensive to cold, you may use one of our wetsuits.
If you are concerned about being cold, we’re happy to provide you with a full suit (a wetsuit with full length arms and legs), or "spring suit" (wetsuit with short sleeves and short legs). However, you will likely will not end up in the water at all, so once you start paddling around in the sun, you’ll likely get warm. Unless you’re very sensitive to cold, a wetsuit is usually NOTrequired for simple paddling.
If you feel you would like some kind of wetsuit:
- If your class is a half hour or more before we open: We suggest you come by our shop so we can fit your for whatever wetsuit you may want (full suit or spring suit).
- If your class is earlier than a half hour before we open: Please call us, give us your height and weight, and we will bring you an appropriate wetsuit.
Footwear: Most people paddle barefoot and are fine. If you have a pair of "booties" they can be used, but are genearallly not required.
Where Do We Meet?
The "Intro" Classes (not the Elkorn Slough Tour or Yoga Classes) take place in calm waters of Santa Cruz Harbor. We will meet at a small dock on the west side of the harbor near the Chardonnay office. Please be parked and ready to go by class start time. Use this Google Map to Pacific Yachting & Sailing for directions in your smart phone.
Where Do I Park?
There is lots of metered parking surrounding the launch dock. Parking is $1.00 per hour, please bring change.
What Should I Bring?
Just your chosen paddling wear, applied sunscreen and excitement! We’ll have the correct size board and paddle waiting for you.
I Have Other Questions About the Classes:
No problem, we’ll happily discuss all your questions . Just call the shop at 831.600.7230 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks!
Release Form
Please note that there are inherent risks associated with this water activity. A Liability Release form must be completed prior to participation in any class or SUP rental. If you signed up for your class online, you have already completed the Liability Release form. If needed, download the form HERE.
Give the Gift of SUP
Stand up paddling classes are a uniquely fun experience and make a great gift. If you would like to give the gift of stand up paddling, gift certificates are the perfect way to share the stoke of SUP. Available in any amount – from a SUP rental to a SUP class to a new board! Just give us a call and we'll send you a personalized Covewater gift certificate to meet your giving desire.
