Dispatch: Stand Up Paddle (SUP) MicroAdventures

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is safe, simple and available everywhere. Rent for $15 to $25. Buy an inflatable SUP for $600 @Costco. Bring your dog, your mother in law and your fly rod. Go with a buddy or make it a double date. Plan for getting wet, but you won’t tip. Ocean SUP: Go early before wind and waves. Lakes: Go to lesser lakes and reservoirs to avoid the big boats.

SUP Dana Point

Tips:
-Leave your phone on shore.
-Bring a sunglasses strap.
-Make it social not a workout.
-Say a Mahalo prayer for Laird Hamilton for making SUP available everywhere.

My girls SUP on Prospect Lake with Colorado Springs SUP

SUP Stories

My friend Kyle and I paddled at lunchtime last summer three miles from our office. Today, before a wedding rehearsal dinner, we will paddle on a Texas lake. My first SUP session was in Kukio Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. My wife went for the first time and now wants to try SUP Yoga. My buddy Jake took me out for a sunset paddle on Dana Point, CA. My buddy Matt and I met in Denver for a meeting to SUP while getting some advice. Last week I talked to an older woman who bought a SUP and a life jacket for her dog. They now go every week together.

What’s your SUP story?

Get out there.

-Aaron

Trip Report: Two Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz, CA

I’m learning to surf. It is challenging living a thousand miles from an ocean. Each time I travel to the ocean, I attempt to get in at least one surf session. I’ve found that it’s a lot easier to either go with a friend or hire a guide. On a trip to Santa Cruz, CA, my brother and I squeezed in a quick adventure to catch a few waves between commitments.

On a good recommendation from my friend Curious Gabe we choose Richard Schmidt Surf School.

Gabe is a long-standing columnist and photographer for Surfer Magazine.

I asked him….

Who should we call to go surfing?

Gabe, being said “Definitely Richard Schmidt Surf School”.

Down the hill, wetsuit on, catching waves, wetsuit off, back up the hill all in three hours.

You should’ve seen our smiles.

When all the other guys at the men’s retreat opted for shuffleboard or a game of cards, we lived an Outside Magazine article.

How to book a lesson with Richard Schmidt Surf and SUP School

Lessons run about $90 x person and last about two hours. Contact them for availability. Yelp reviews

849 Almar Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0928 or richardschmidt.com Bookings