With this nice weather, I always want to find different, fun activities that I can do outside. Luckily I live in an area where there are tons of things to do! Stand up paddle boarding or SUPing is rapidly becoming popular and I have started to see them everywhere in New Jersey. I have always grown up on the water here, but in 2012 I lived in San Diego, California for a year and a half, and that was the first place I saw SUP as often as you see a boogie board. Anyone and everyone was using them. Whether they owned the board or they were renting it, they were everywhere. I think shops around here are just catching on to renting out paddle boards, but trust me, in a few years shops that rent out bikes, chairs, etc. will soon be renting out boards. Ok, sorry for the ramble. Moral of the story to living in California was that I first tried SUP there in Mission bay and rented boards about 3 times. Every time just as fun as the previous! When I moved back home, my friend had purchased a SUP and we had gone out on the ocean [first time SUPing on the ocean--very, very different--and a lot harder--but still just as fun!]
Fast forward to now, my close family friend mentioned that a company in Belmar was starting to offer SUP yoga classes and on a whim, we signed up and attended a class last Tuesday! One of THE coolest fitness experiences to date. Anyone who likes yoga, fitness, SUP, or just likes to try new things, HAS to try this.
We did this class in a lake, but most take place in Shark River. Each board has an anchor attached on a rope so you stay in one place. The paddle floats, so you just wrap an elastic band around the handle on the same rope and drop it in the water. It's a 90 minute class, and you initially go over how to paddle board for those who have never been on one before. The instructor paddles around the whole class, talking to you about what moves to go into, just like a normal yoga class! For moves like crow and headstand, she shows you the different ways you can get into the position and if you don't have those moves perfected on land yet, no worries! It's a class for all levels, so don't be discouraged - and trust me, I have yet to do a headstand on dry land yet.
The company is called The Endless SUP Company and they are located in Belmar, New Jersey. They are currently setting up classes for a total body workout as well, which I will most definitely be trying out. If you are in the area, or come here for vacation, I highly recommend checking them out for a class or even to rent a board!
Oh, and GO RANGERS! [ had to throw that in there somewhere ;) ]
