Positives: 1. Boards are floating by the dock. No carrying or strapping boards on your car. 2. Perfect location for getting out to Monterrey Bay quickly. Harbor gets boring within a few visits. 3. Good rental prices and great selection of sup boards. 4. Friendly staff and guides Tips: 1. If you want to leave the harbor, go at 9-10a in the morning and use the Santa Cruz webcams and wind & wave report to make sure you will be able to paddle towards the wharf. 2. For SUP or SUP ocean first-timers, ask for the Big Dog for a small extra fee. 3. Wear a full upper body wetsuit for treks out into the ocean. 4. If you want to surf, call them first to see if they have a surfing board available for rental. Most boards they have are not for surfing. Minor Improvements They Need: 1. Advertise their morning & evening tours to the Wharf - with current schedule/conditions. 2. Answer their phone & call back (more often) during daily business hours of 9a-6p. 3. Rent full size wet suits. Half Moon Bay Kayak Co does this, and it's makes you feel more comfortable heading out to the ocean. 4. Have more buying brochures laying around, similar to REI's buying brochures. read more

I went SUPing yesterday with a crew of 6 and we had a great time! We rented boards for 2 hours via a phone reservation, and everything ran really smoothly. Here are some hopefully helpful highlights: 1. Phone service was great - I recommend calling ahead to make sure enough boards are available. If you are putting a card down for a group, you can still all pay separately upon arrival. 2. Small backpack style floatation devices are provided for your safety (as opposed to having to wear full life vests). 3. SUP Shack staff are happy and willing to help carry your boards down and help you get set up in the water. 4. SUP Shack staff also helped get the boards up and out of the water and back. 5. A two hour rental is plenty of time to paddle from the harbor to the Wharf if you've been SUPing before. We made it there and back (with little to no wind) in an hour and 45 mins. Note: It was a really warm day with calm water, so we didn't have a ton of head wind. It was also above 80 outside, so we did not use any wetsuits, and half of us went in for a swim. I'm also a harbor business member so I was able to receive $5 off my rental - it was a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to taking my long lunch breaks to go SUPing with SUP Shack! read more

I really wanted to like this place... but (gee, sounds familiar, read reviews below). My husband & I used a Travelzoo voucher for a 90 minute lesson/tour at SUP shack Santa Cruz. I called and made an app't for the lesson/tour for Sat, Aug 31 at 4 pm. Since we were "virgins" to Sup, I decided to call that morning to see what we should bring with us. Glad I did because Trudie, the owner, answered and told us we had no reservation for that day. This was very upsetting to me, as I had made the reservation over a month ago and this was the only day we were free to drive from San Jose to Santa Cruz, and we even had a dance to go to that night, so had limited time. Trudy (as Robin calls her below "The Witch by the Crows Nest") then informed us that no one should have given us a reservation for today because it's a holiday weekend (Labor Day), and IF WE HAD READ THE FINE PRINT on the voucher, we would have known that. My take is, then shouldn't the EMPLOYEES know that? I told her that was not my fault, the man on the phone gave us a reservation and we would like to keep it. She finally said she could put us in with this group of 4 at 4 pm that also had vouchers (hmm.. how did that happen?). And whey you try to call her out on the error, she just repeats herself and DOES NOT LISTEN TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. From the beginning, she was difficult. I felt like I had to work MY LIFE around hers! She kept trying to get us to change our reservation to Sunday (which we already had 2 events and were booked), and that it was just inconvenient for her that we come at all. She had this attitude the entire time that made us feel like we were doing a disservice to her. It just left us feeling strange. When we got there, no one paid any attention to us.I asked if we could check in, and was told "the instructors are having a little rest" and we could wait at the picnic table. Finally Trudi told us that the other 4 cancelled, and we'd have to get a power lesson. (less time that what you paid for, w/quick instruction). This upset me. We weren't late, had paid for a 90 minute lesson, and now weren't getting one. So she made a big deal about getting "an extra instructor" for us, and told us we'd have a private lesson. Great! We wanted to bring our own camera for photos (so she couldn't charge us for them), but she gave us an instructor w/a camera, so we said ok, thinking he'd email them to us. We had Chris, he was great, but the lesson was only about 10 minutes, and didn't cover the important things like getting back on if you fall off. Just showing us how to get on, stand up, and which way to hold the paddle isn't much of a lesson now, is it? They tell you that you need one to get more $$ from you, but you really don't. READ ALEXANDRA'S REVIEW below. This place should REQUIRE that you can swim, and actually have you get on the board from in the water. A guy (42) just died in Tahoe because he fell off, and couldn't get back on. The SUP shack is disorganized (they don't even tell their employees what the holiday weekend procedures are), they don't answer or return calls, and the owner is RUDE!! READ ERIK'S REVIEW below about his son getting hurt (bleeding ankle) and all Trudie could say was they owed $$ for a new leash and cleaning supplies? I'll never return to the Sup Shack. I FEEL TRUDIE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT HER CUSTOMERS, BUT JUST WANTS TO MAKE A BUCK (or more!). Rather than being patient, Trudie was rude, and persistent, and she did not really give anyone any encouragement when it came to learning to SUP. She acted like our reservation was an inconvenience to her, I wonder if she felt that way when she cashed all those checks from Groupon and Travelzoo? (Yes, I agree with DARRELL's review below) So, home now, going to look at over 20 photos Chris took of us. Trudie said they'd all be on facebook so we can copy them for free... yeah! Went to fb, there is ONE photo of us. Called Trudie. "Oh, we're busy, haven't had time. They'll be up on Chris' site in a few days."SO NOW IT BECOMES CLEAR. When we asked to bring our camera, she took us at "photo people" and changed our instructor to the one who is also a professional photographer and has his own site. NOW ALL OUR PHOTOS ARE $7 EACH, instead of on facebook. Great. More $$ for them!! Needless to say, we'll not be returning to SUP Santa Cruz, or to the Bitchy British Witch. BE WARNED!! DO NOT BUY A GROUPON, TRAVELZOO OR OTHER VOUCHER FOR THIS PLACE... YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REDEEM IT, OR HAVE VERY FEW OPTIONS. (See Connie's review below). Bad service during something that is supposed to be a fun day is just not worth any money you save using the voucher. Trust me, Trudie will get her $$ from you, one way or another, if it's not an added lesson, for photos, or for "cleaning supplies" when you hurt yourself. Don't bother with her. She is a money grubber!! I'd spend my money elsewhere if you want to learn to SUP. Update read more

Had an amazing time learning from and hanging out with Trudie - such a warm and fun soul. It was my first time paddle boarding, and it won't be my last. read more

I purchased Groupons for my son and I to go SUPping when Josh was in town visiting me. I had been before with friends and was familiar in general with the sport. We stopped by on Saturday to set up a time for the next day. Trudie introduced Jake and said he would help us if we came at 10am on Sunday. I was afraid it would be too cold at that time of the day but it was perfect! Josh and I showed and Jake was ready for us. He explained everything and then walked us down to the launch area and gave us some more tips. We had a great time in the harbor that morning, some time together and some apart as Josh toured the harbor and actually went out into the bay on his first SUPping experience! He saw an otter and a sea lion in the water! It was a wonderful time for us to spend together! Thanks Trudie and Jake! Roxy and Josh Cross read more

I wanted to go SUP paddling for my birthday weekend and booked 2 beginner lessons (brief instruct + 1 hour paddle) for $30 each at the SUP shack. A year prior at another place I was quoted $60 (yikes) and the woman who answered was warm with a charming british accent, so I trusted it would be a good experience and quickly booked online. I had a little nerves since it was our first time, but with the excitement to learn, relaxed environment and kind instruction, I knew it would all turn out just fine. The paddle boards were already at the dock and Trudy watched us and continued to instruct us as we paddled out. When we arrived back we didn't see anyone to help us get onto the dock, but frankly it wasn't difficult. Also, I think we might have been out longer than an hour, we were really enjoying paddling around the harbor, but no mention of additional charges, the whole process was kept very simple and low key. Way more fun than kayaking and you feel even closer to the water. Personally, I would recommend previous kayaking experience before SUP, it came in handy on the water with the traffic of the harbor. It was a very relaxing, easy experience overall, and we will be back. read more

Wonderful experience paddle boarding in the harbor! Owner is so helpful and friendly. We were new to boarding & she was helpful in getting us started. Great place. Great owner. Highly recommend read more

The SUP shack is literally a small kiosk/shack in front of the Crows Nest restaurant by the harbor in Santa Cruz. Easy and affordable to rent a paddle board and very froendly service. About $20 for the hour and $30 for 2 hours although first timers require a "lesson" (a 5 minute talk) which is included in the 2 hour rental. So, if it is your first time plan on spending $30. If you are a novice this location is perfect as you can stay in the harbor (no waves or swells) and paddle up to the end and back (about 45 minutes) and get a great view of the boats. If you are more experienced, head into the Monterey Bay and up to the Santa Cruz Wharf where you can see more wildlife. Keep in mind you need to pay for parking which is about $5 for the "day" and when you are done paddle boarding you can enjoy lunch and the beach. read more

Great SUP lesson for first timer. No drama. Sonia did a great job getting me up & paddling straight away. Saw the whole harbor and got a chance to paddle out into the ocean. I plan to go back. read more

Well I want to add to the confusion. This was our first SUP experience. My wife and I did SUP with this company.. Even though they seems just a little bit disorganized, they were friendly enough. We didn't have any problem setting up our lesson. Jake gave us some basic instruction and off we went. All and all it was acceptable. We did have fun and had a good workout. Other SUP'ers are certainly a friendly bunch. We have another Groupon with them and intend to use it. read more

We showed up last minute as a group and they were able to Accommodate us. The instructors were very nice and friendly. I would highly recommends coming here to paddle board read more

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First time paddle boarding, relaxed and laid back atmosphere. Our guide didn't show up so the owner Trudie took us out. The training was sufficient and I felt confident getting on the water. The location is close to the harbor, may be a small shack but that is what was so cool about it. No superficial advertising or "things" to buy. Trudie stayed with us on the water and helped correct our paddling, and reminded us how to keep our balance. I enjoyed our time out in the harbor. When we got back to the shack she gave us a card to come back at $5 less for 1 and 2 hr rentals. We will definetly be back. I would like to check out the evening paddle boarding. Check out thier FB page. read more

Great service, experience, and location. The owner was clear and direct with instructions. I am very scared of the ocean and the harbor was a perfect and safe spot to enjoy. We went at 9am and it was over cast but absolutely perfect conditions for SUP'ing. The water was calm and minimal traffic in the harbor. Highly recommend going early to find a parking spot, experience the great water conditions, and quiet ride down the harbor. read more

Tri Shop Santa Cruz specializes in triathlon clothing, and equipment! Trudie is the best! Very friendly! There is plenty of inventory and top of the line equipment! You can find everything you need for your next triathlon event! I highly recommend a visit here! Why would you drive over the hill? Shop local! Welcome to the neighbor! Sincerely, Sharon Williams ( Pristine Skin Care) read more

We trekked over from San Jose yesterday and was greeted by a wonderful staff. I had already called previously to ask about the wet suit situation (I didn't have one) and spoke to the owner Trudy, she assured me I didn't need one but that they did have some available if I was so inclined. Tara was our instructor and was fabulous. She was very knowledgeable, put up with my scared whining and was a lot of fun! Her relaxed attitude made me feel very comfortable and I successfully arrived *completely* dry back to the dock! I highly recommend the SUP Shack to any beginner that wants to give paddling a try! (They do kayak rentals too.) Oh and they have the most adorable shop dog Jasmine, who was so incredibly sweet and friendly! Unfortunately she doesn't go out with you on the water, but she will demand a good belly rub before you set out on your adventure! read more

I bought a groupon for $15 that let us rent a paddle board for 2 hours. Great deal! The address 2214 E Cliff Dr is wrong. When I called the SUP shack she gave me the name Crow's Nest (Its a restaurant) and I typed this in my GPS instead and it got me to the SUP shack. Its a small little shack in like the middle of a parking lot (a dollar per hour to park, no validations) Anyways, when we arrived the employees were very nice and funny. We got our paddles and our boards and set off on our journey. Our guy explained the map to us and where we could go in the harbor. The harbor itself is not very pretty, just alot of boats and the water is green/brown not the best view. But paddle boarding itself is very relaxing and fun! Just don't fall in... Our man said it would take about 2 hours to paddle the whole thing, but it only took my and my boyfriend about an hour. Overall, fun experience and recommend! I'm not sure if kids can paddle board ( I only saw adults), but you should definitely call the SUP shack and I'm sure they would help you out! read more

A great experience with a group of 8, 5 who had never SUP'd before. Trudy, the owner was informative, welcoming and helpful, as was the gal working for her. I'd recommend this spot to anyone! Reasonable prices too! *Another thing to note: It's the perfect spot for all levels, as beginners can use the harbor/slips, where it's gentle and more accomplished SUP'ers can go to the ocean! read more

My girlfriend and I had such a great time Kayaking in Santa Cruz! Thank you so much Sup Shack for providing quality gear and instruction on how to have a great time in the water. We loved it and would definitely go back again when we visit Santa Cruz. The young guy there at the time was attentive to us and helped us with all our belongings and getting into and out of the water. It was awesome!! Thanks Sup Shack!! read more

Tri Shop Santa Cruz is an excellent resource for anyone interested in getting involved with the sport of Triathlon. Trudie and Johan do an excellent job of catering to beginners but can also service the experienced veterans of the sport just as well. Whether you are looking for some new swim gear, have questions on cycling, or looking to get fit in some running shoes, Tri Shop Santa Cruz has what you need! They carry a good amount of Etonic running shoes, a brand with a historic background that is currently not carried by any other retailers in the Santa Cruz area! Be sure to stop by and check out the product, take the shoes for a stroll in front of the store and hopefully pound many miles on them as you train for your next triathlon event! Happy Shopping! read more

I have enjoyed renting from the SUP shack. Once you've been there you realize that they run a small business and often cannot answer the phone because they are down on the dock helping people get started in the water. I am hooked on SUP and I've rented there many times. For those of you AFRAID of trying SUP, go early when it's not as windy. Or go after 5 PM. The people who feel they have to adapt to the shop's schedule may not understand that going out in the middle of the day when it's windy is NOT PLEASANT. The owners are trying to give you the best possible experience. SUP is really not hard. My friends were very reluctant. One is not an exerciser and the other has terrible balance. We are all 60 and over and all did fine. Stay in the harbor at first until you get really ready for rougher waters. It is so peaceful and offers a different vantage point because you are walking on the water. read more

SUP Shack is the best place to rent paddle boards. I go there all the time. It's soooo much fun exploring the harbor. I recommend them to anyone looking to have fun in Santa Cruz. read more

Sup Shack - Paddleboarding Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I went SUP for the first time this past weekend. I signed up for the lesson and I really liked it because the instructor was brief and to the point without over complicating it. It was great and I really liked how much they respected social distancing and cleanliness. If you're looking to get outside, I would highly recommend going to the SUP shack and renting a board. Also, it's in the harbor so it's super tame - most anyone can do this :) read more

If you want to SUP from the Santa Cruz Harbor this is the place to go! Locally owned business with an easy online reservation system. Very nice, Covid friendly check in process. The paddle boards are waiting at their own launch in the harbor. Could not be easier! Check it out today! read more

Reserved on their website app, online waiver. Parking you need to come early, but there are street parking also. Friendly staff great experience will do it again. read more

Trudie at the SUP Shack was AMAZING! She made sure that all of the equipment was effectively sanitized, and she's even made rentals contact-free. I had only done standup paddleboarding twice before, in calmer waters of Washington. It was a windy day, but Trudie gave me some awesome pointers, and I had a wonderful time! Her equipment, customer service, demeanor, and passion for helping people and watersports really shone through. I will definitely be back, and I highly recommend the SUP shack for SUP/kayak rentals, if you're the least bit interested. read more

We've only had amazing experiences at the SUP shack with Trudie. Not quite understanding the grammar and syntax of Amina's review, but 'psychopath'? Find that quite of drama-queen-ish. All the same, if you want a warm welcome to the Santa Cruz harbor and a fun experience on the water, we highly recommend you check out this business and stop in at the Crow's Nest for a bite and beverage afterwards. read more

I couldn't believe when I saw another Groupon offer come through this morning for the SUP Shack. Yesterday I had to request a refund for the Groupon I bought some months ago. I've tried emailing and calling to schedule and get information several times. I either don't get a reply or found that the owner had to go out of town for a couple of weeks (and then didn't reply to my email when she returned), was closed on January 3 (which would seem an ideal day to be open since people were off on vacation and able to actually use their Groupons), and just plain didn't return my call from Saturday (it's Monday now). The cell phone # she lists on her website was set to not receive calls so I couldn't leave a message there. Don't bother buying a Groupon for this company. Your opportunity to use it may be very limited. read more

I wish I could write something more positive about this local business as I love to support local. Unfortunately I have not been able to even rent from SUP Shack due to changing policies (both written and told to me by phone). I purchased two Groupons for paddle-boarding. One in 2012 and one in the fall of 2013. I know that this kind of service can be crazy to use during high tourist season so both times I tried to use in the off months (winter). Both times I was told about changing policies. The first time, I was told that I could only use the Groupon Monday through Thursday. Then it expired because it was hard for me to take off work. Then the second time, I wanted to use it in November. I was told that I couldn't use it on the Monday or Tuesday I wanted (not a holiday) because they were just too busy. Nothing was written down on the Groupon or their website about these changes. All of this was by phone. So I asked for a refund or credit and they said that I had to talk to Groupon. Groupon at least is giving me credit toward another service. I am completely discouraged from using this business and honestly would never send a friend there. I encourage SUP Shack to figure out their customer service. I am willing to pay higher prices for better service instead of trying to accommodate tons of people when you're not able to. I rarely give Yelp reviews but really thought this deserved one. read more

I really wanted to be able to leave a good review on this place but... On my first visit in which I paid for 3 lessons, the instructor got us on our boards, told us he would be right back to come out on the water with us for our lesson, and then never returned. We waited for 15 minutes, not knowing what to do and being told to keep moving by Harbor Patrol that we decided to not wait for him. We figured out how to stand and make the most of our time on our own. When we got back to the store, he was sitting outside and asked us how it was completely nonchalantly. I was shocked, because I had paid for a lesson, and received a rental of a board (no wetsuit or instruction). I didn't to make a fuss so we left quietly. I called Trudie the next day and not only was she not apologetic, I had to debate with her to do what was right. I was only asking to be charged for three rentals in place of three lessons, since we didn't receive a lesson. She made me sound like I was trying to get something off of her that I didn't pay for. I agreed to three free rentals (because she said she could not reimburse me) as a compromise which I was happy with. Upon returning to use 2 of the free rentals with a friend, we were not greeted with any friendliness, only frustration. The owner told us that we would have to pay for a lesson, even though neither my friend nor I needed a lesson. I was frustrated so said "Just take the remaining free rental you gave me and put it towards this 'lesson' that I need" so I basically gave up my last free hour rental to not be A. embarrassed in front of my friend or B. made to feel guilty by Trudie. She said she was "tired of dealing with it" (rude...) and the other girl who was working there (maybe her daughter? Not sure, she was very nice though) took over helping us. Again the "lesson" was brief and uninformative, and I spent most of my time teaching my friend myself. I truly love paddle boarding and won't let this bad experience stop me from going again, but I'll never return to the Sup Shack. I feel Trudie did try to make some concession, but made me feel like I was completely in the wrong. If there are positives to this place, they would be the location, lots of parking and it's right on the harbor. There are great coffee shops and places to grab a snack and a seat after your paddle. Also, everyone in the harbor that you meet is very nice! Makes for a community feel out on the water. I really wanted to like this place because it's in a great location, but bad service during something that is supposed to be a fun day is just not what I'm looking for. read more

I purchased a deal for $25 that included a 2 hour paddleboard tour. Included in the time was a 15 minute lesson and a water(water was never given to us). I showed up 15 min before like they asked (8:45). Our tour was suppose to start at 9:00. In actuality our time didn't start until 9:15. We received a 5 min lesson and then walked to the docks. There were 11 of us and my group was first to go at 9:30. I had a wonderful time during the tour with our guide. She was wonderful; however, she was told to take us back at 10:30 for the next group. So we spent 5 mins on a lesson and an hour in the water. I paid for a 2 hour tour. When we got back to speak to the woman in charge she said oh I guess you have more time if you want to go back out by yourself. By that point we had turned everything in and docked our boards for the next tour group. The guide could not go with us since she was needed for the next group. This package is normally $55. I would be outraged if I had paid the full price and received that experience and service. Most of us were using either a groupon or travelzoo. I feel either they allowed too many deals and were overwhelmed or they don't care since we paid half the price. I could have shown up and paid $12 to get a board for an hour. Instead I paid $25 for an hour. I have always had a great experience with companies from both travelzoo and groupon. However, I feel this company took advantage of us. read more

My husband bought three full-price 90 minute lessons for myself and our two daughters. This was our first time. The lessons were good, and we SUPPED around the harbor. I never could stand up, but my two daughters did, and that was good enough for me. I fell in twice, but the trainer was very helpful in getting me back on the board. We returned to the dock an hour later, and I thought we were going to be able to continue by ourselves since we had bought 90 minute lessons, but that was not the case. The lesson was over. I think that purchasing a 90 minute lesson is not a good idea at the SUP Shack because the lesson is really only 60 minutes long. read more

This was the second time I ever paddle boarded in my life (the first time did not go very well), so I was not sure how I would do. When I showed up, my instructor was very friendly and eager to get me out on the water (I don't remember his name, I'm sorry!). After a quick tutorial, we started off. My instructor was very helpful and encouraging. I picked it up pretty quickly! It was awesome and even calming to be on the board. When it was over, I was exhausted but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend SUP Shack! read more

I really had an itch to go paddle boarding one weekend since I had never experienced it before so I read of really good reviews on yelp for SUP Shack and decided to check it out with my boyfriend and cousin. The owner (I believe) was very friendly and it was really easy to make reservations. The process of getting our boards, the short lesson, and the experience itself was great. The only downfall was that there were a lot of boats passing by in this area so you're always on the look out to make sure you're not in anyone's way. It didn't ruin the experience but I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't worried about a boat honking at me halfway through. Overall- it was still awesome. There is however one reason I wouldn't give them five stars. I had brought my phone down to the lake and asked the trainer (not the owner) to take a pic with my phone while we were out there paddle boarding. I even asked if she knew how to take a picture with it without having to enter in the passcode (it was an iPhone- just had to slide up) and she said yes. After paddle boarding for a good 30 min, we saw her from afar and asked her to take a pic of us out in the water. She said, "I took plenty on my phone and will post them on Facebook for you!" After we finished, I checked Facebook and I saw one picture which was us just learning how to get on the board. I messaged the owner and she said that none of the pictures turned out good so she didn't post it. I understand you may not want to post it, but I asked if she could text them to me and there was no response. I know it's not a big deal, just a picture, but I found it really rude that she couldn't even take one quick shot of us when I asked her to and insisted that she had many good ones already taken. If so, where are they? None the less, a GREAT place to paddle board. Just make sure you bring someone to take pics for you if you want to capture the experience. read more

Outstanding experience! Trudie is a gem! And her team was equally awesome. We went on a whilm and it was easy to get a rental, she stored our keys at the shop for us while we went out, and there is a darling store behind the SUP Shack to find lots of souvenirs. They put our boards in the water for us while we changed and helped us onto them with clear directions. Then, it was off to make memories! #boardinginblazers read more

I bought a used board from the SUP Shack. I tried the board out using the rental fee at first. It was a pretty stable board. I bought it. Cute well mannered dog onsite. I'd probably check them out again if looking for another board. read more

My boyfriend and I took a quick trip to SC from SF. We picked the SUP Shack for our first paddle boarding experience based on other YELP reviews and weren't disappointed. We showed up to the Shack without an appointment and were greeted by 'The Jazz' pup. The process to get signed in and set with our gear was as easy as it gets. We took a quick how-to lesson and were up and paddling in no time. We cruised around the harbor for about 55 minutes enjoying the sights - including the sea lions popping up from under the water all around us. My favorite part was when my boyfriend lost his balance and fell into the cold cold water. We definitely would recommend the SUP Shack and will absolutely be back for another excursion the next time we make it down to SC. read more

Did the Groupon stand up paddleboarding lesson and had such a great time that I rented out boards from Trudie twice more in the following week. Each time was an excellent experience. Trudie is professional, knowledgeable, and very flexible. I was able to arrange times and rentals to be convenient for my packed schedule. I intend to come back multiple times in the future, and would recommend this to anyone who wants to begin SUPing. read more

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday yesterday and we had a good time. During our time, we saw a couple sea lions swimming about and some pelicans as well which were neat to see up close. I wanted to just do an hr but the associate who helped us recommended 2 hrs. I think 1 to 1.5 hours is perfect for this small harbor, but the 2 hrs included a mini lesson on how to paddle board which was useful. If you do it for 1 hr, I would say to just look at some videos on how to sup and you should be good to go. read more

What a great experience we had! The weather today was beautiful and we never expected to have such a great time stand up paddling. (I did not want to go) Our group of 4 were brand new and the owner Trudie was a hoot and made it a memorable time. I felt so comfortable and loved it. We even booked another sup session. Our new addiction read more

We arrived at SUP Shack this morning at 8:45am for our 9am lesson, which I booked online (very easy). We were met by Sonia, who was just opening up. I thought we would be freezing, cause it was a bit cold out, but Sonia assured us that we did not need a wet suit - and she turned out to be right. There was another couple in our lesson. Sonia loaded up the boards, and took us down to the dock. We were able to leave our car keys in the shack, so we didn't have to take them out on the water. She gave us a 5 minute land lesson, showed us how to get on the board, and then helped us each get on the boards. We paddled out on our knees for the first 5 minutes, and once we felt comfortable, she told us to stand up. None of us in the group had ever done SUPing, and my husband and I are not really 'water people', but we picked it up very quickly. We paddled through the harbor, to the bridge, back towards the lighthouse, and then turned back to the harbor. That took about 30 minutes, and that's where Sonia left us. It was also when I realized I was too hot in a long sleeve shirt & shorts, so I removed my shirt (bathing suit underneath). We had about another hour to paddle back through the harbor - this time to the end - and back out to the lighthouse, before coming in. The sea lions were out in full force, and the waters were pretty calm. Oh, and Sonia also mounted a 'knock off' GoPro, which took pictures the whole time, and I expect to see posted on FB in the next few days. I was extremely happy with the SUP Shack, and the SUPing experience - I'm already trying to figure out when to do it again. read more