Stand up paddleboarding is a fun way to get in shape
Try stand up paddleboarding (SUP) at one of our resorts – it’s easy to master and provides a great workout!
Nothing beats being out on the water when it comes to sheer exhilaration – and Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, mixes fun with fitness - it's a floating workout for your core without the restrictions of being inside in a gym. It is a low impact sport, which is quick and easy to pick up. Many cross-over athletes train with SUP.
Mark Warner has SUP boards for guests to use on a complimentary base at all of our beach resorts in Greece and Turkey.
What is stand up paddle boarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a water sport where you stand on a long, wide board and use a paddle to propel yourself through the water. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, get a workout, and experience the water from a unique perspective.
How to do stand up paddle boarding
- Choose a Calm Spot: Start in shallow, calm water to build confidence.
- Get on the Board: Kneel on the board with your knees together and paddle to deeper water.
- Find Your Balance: Practice balancing on your knees before standing up.
- Stand Up: Slowly rise to your feet, keeping your knees slightly bent and core engaged.
- Paddle Technique: Hold the paddle with one hand near the top and the other closer to the blade. Plant the paddle in the water, pull it back towards your body, and lift it out.
- Steering: To turn, paddle on one side of the board. For a left turn, paddle on the right side, and vice versa.
Our qualified instructors will take you through the basics and provide you with an introduction lesson, where you’ll be shown how to operate the board, how to get the most from your paddle, and what to look out for on the waves.
- How to use a SUP board
- The function of the paddle
- How to stay safe on the water
- How to stay balanced
- How to sit, kneel and lie on the board
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) private lesson
You may be able to book a stand up paddle boarding private lesson, but this varies from resort to resort.
Sunset SUP / Kayak
A number of our resorts offer a sunset SUP / kayak - an opportunity to go back out on the water as a group with our instructors for a gentle paddle to watch the beautiful sunset in the Med. This is dependent upon the conditions at the resort and will be an extra cost.
Stand up paddle boarding top tips
- Choose a beach, which has calm water
- Use a larger board, which will provide you with more stability
- Start on your knees and try a couple of two different paddle strokes and get used to how the board moves
- The most efficient paddling is done using the core rather than just the arms, which is tiring and doesn’t generate as much power.
- For the best stability, it’s also important to resist the natural temptation to look down at the board. Instead, we advise you to keep your head up and your back straight, ensuring your body weight is over your toes.
- Once you have mastered paddle boarding on your knees, you can try to stand by moving into a squat position.
- Stand up slowly with one foot at a time and stay in the middle of the board with your feet parallel to the stringer - bending your knees slightly and centering your core over the board. Make sure that you hold the paddle with one hand.
- Ensure that you fall into the water away from your board.
The growing popularity of SUP is also down to the fact that, unlike surfing or windsurfing, it’s very easy to learn – you’ll be totally at ease on your board in the water within just an hour.
