Kauai
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding (known as SUP for short) is an ancient Hawaiian sport that has caught fire once again and become extremely popular in the last few years. Kauai
offers the unique opportunity to practice this sport both in the ocean and on calm inland streams. This page features two companies who offer SUP lessons ... the first operates on the north shore on the Hanalei River and out into Hanalei Bay. The second offers a central Kauai SUP experience on a jungle stream and includes hiking and a unique and fun water zipline.
Hanalei Stand Up Paddleboarding Lessons
Rate based upon the number of people in your party:
1 person |
... $75 for private |
2-3 people |
... $65 per person |
4 or more |
... $55 per person |
Some people do it because it's the best workout on the water. Others do it to access surf spots that are difficult to reach when laying down on a board and paddling. The biggest reason this ancient sport has seen a modern revival in recent years is because it is a really fun way to experience the water. Stand Up Paddleboarding is not difficult because these guys will match you up to a board that is just the right size for you. It's great exercise, and there is nothing like the feeling of paddling around on Hanalei Bay while looking down on coral heads you can see below the surface from your vantage point standing up.
Lessons last an hour, and then you are free to paddle around and practice on your own for another two hours. You don't have to haul the board somewhere on your car; after checking in at their location in "downtown" Hanalei the boards will be transported for you to the location of your lesson. You can spend the entire time paddling on the flat water of the Hanalei River, or if conditions are good, you can paddle out on Hanalei Bay. It's up to you!
K-HSA / V
Jungle Stand Up Paddleboarding Adventure
Tour Cost: $122 per adult; $92 for kids 14 & under
Now having fun is as easy as standing up ... and you can go home and tell everyone that you learned to walk on water while on vacation in Hawaii! This tour combines SUP lessons, paddling downwind on a placid jungle stream, hiking, and water fun at the Blue Pool, home to a fun jumping/diving platform and an insanely fun water zip line!
Guests staying on the south side will check in at the tour operator's location in Poipu at 7:30am and will return around 1:30pm. Those staying in central and north Kauai will check in at the Kayak Shack at Nawiliwili Harbor near downtown Lihue (the town where the airport is located) at 8:15am and will return around 1:00pm.
After getting set up with your board and paddle you'll receive instruction on the basics of this sport, and then begin your upriver but downwind adventure.
The first few strokes feel awkward, but soon you'll be gliding upstream with the best of them. Upstream??? We know it sounds crazy, but this water is very flat and calm and it is MUCH easier to paddle upstream because the trade winds will be at your back and they'll help push you along. At the end of the tour you'll be transported back down the river via a relaxing motorized double hulled canoe.
But we left out the middle part of the tour ... when you reach the end of your paddle you will hike along the stream, seeing small waterfalls along the way, until you reach the ultimate destination ... a secret swimming hole in the jungle called the "Blue Pool."
It's actually sort of a unique shade of greenish blue. But "Greenish Blue Pool" is too long to fit on the brochures. The spot sure is fun though. The water is very deep, and it's perfect for jumping, diving, and everybody's favorite ... the water zip line. Take off, hold on, let go when you get to the middle ... and SPLASH. It's sort of like a rope swing but a lot easier. Lunch is served during the tour too.
This tour includes short hikes, swimming, and stand up paddling. Participants must be fit enough to walk about two miles on a trail over irregular terrain, and SUP for about 60-90 minutes. Participants must weigh less than 240 pounds and minimum age for participation is 12. If you exceed the maximum weight but have some experience on a surfboard, please call us toll-free at 1.877.678.7333 about possible participation in this tour.
OK / R
 |
CRUISE
SHIP PASSENGERS |
The SUP Lessons are available in Hanalei in the late morning of day 1 for NCL passengers; a rental car is required as the drive is about an hour from the dock. We can
arrange a rental car for $38 per day including shuttle pickup at the
dock ... go to our rental
car page for more information.
We are still researching the schedule for the Jungle SUP tour to see if this is available for cruise ship passengers. Call us for details.
ACTIVITY
TIPS
It is hard to believe how quickly stand up paddleboarding has taken off here in the Hawaiian islands. It's refreshing to see a sport that is so old and so little known suddenly make a resurgence. Five years ago it was rare to see someone doing this. Now my wife has a board and paddles around with our dog. The nice thing about SUP is that, unlike surfing, you don't need to have big waves to enjoy this. As a matter of fact, most SUP'ers prefer calm flat water for just cruising around. It's really strange these days to look out on a calm tranquil ocean and seeing a dozen people standing up a quarter of a mile off shore.
SUP is not hard ... as long as you get matched to a board that is the proper size to your height and weight. If the board isn't big enough, balance can tricky and your going to fall in a LOT. If the board is too big, you couldn't fall in the water if you tried. The best board for you is sized just in between. The constant micro adjustments that your body has to make to keep yourself balanced on the board is great exercise. It is a very healthy, low demand workout that uses muscles you didn't know that you had (and previously never even needed). It's very healthy, and fun. On a calm day with clear water and no swell, it's just incredible to paddle around on the bay and look down at coral a few feet under the surface. And when winter swells sweep into Hanalei Bay, you can cruise on the flat water of Hanalei River instead. The tour operator's location makes it easy to go either way.
Want to see how popular this sport is? Jennifer Aniston was recently photographed paddling around on the Hanalei River. Check out photos here and here and here. Who knows how long those links will work. If none of them do, just Google "Jennifer Anniston SUP" and click on the image tab. You'll find them. Another one is here. (That one's Kate Hudson and Jennifer Anniston SUP'ing). I could also cite photos of Pierce Brosnan and Matthew McConaughey that are literally "floating" around the internet. You never know who you'll bump into out on this river!
For those staying on the south or central part of the island, consider the Jungle SUP Adventure Tour. It's not just a SUP lesson ... it also includes hiking, swimming, and a fun water zip!
|
