Let’s face it, there is not a lot that is free here in the Cayman Islands. Tax free yes, but most activities you do are going to cost some money. That’s why we are so excited to offer free paddle baord lessons whenever you rent a board from us for a day or more. Stand up paddle boards are super easy to use, and most people can get the hang of it very quickly, but you would be amazed how a little instruction and some helpful tips can really make the learning that much more fun and easy. The spring and summer are the perfect time to learn as the water is so flat and calm, and since its also turtle nesting season, you are almost guaranteed to see one while you paddle along.
Since James Cameron has re-released the movie Titanic, I thought I would talk a little bit about some of the shipwrecks we have here. Did you know that the East End of Grand Cayman has over 115 different shipwrecks? And those are just the ones we know about. This is how the barrier reef here earned the nickname ‘Graveyard of the Caribbean’. Most of the wrecks are historical, and the wood has long ago been eaten away, leaving only the more solid bits such as anchors, chains, cannons and other metal objects. Some however, are more recent and intact. Here is a picture taken the other day on our Wave Runner Snorkel Safari. We took some guests who were staying at Morritt’s Tortuga Resort to snorkel on this shallow wreck from 2005.
Want to learn more about the history of East End and some other famous shipwrecks? Sign up for one of our Wave Runner tours to see the wrecks yourself.
Don’t worry folks, this wasn’t filmed here in the Cayman Islands. Its a great video though that shows how stable a Stand Up Paddle board really is, and how it can allow you a great perpective for looking into the water. We probably don’t have to tell you this, but DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!
And if you haven’t booked your paddle board for this upcoming Easter weekend, don’t delay. The weather will be beautiful and we will be busy, so you don’t want to miss your chance to rent a board and get on the water to have some fun!
From beginners to pros, children to adults, and even our 4 legged friends, who doesn’t want to try Paddle Boarding? We have boards for people of all shapes and sizes so contact us at whitesandwatersports@gmail.com for more information for our island wide rental of SUP boards.
The other day I wrote about rentals for our Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boards and how we now will rent them hourly, daily, weekly, or longer. We will even deliver them anywhere on island! So far we have had some great feedback and interest, but it has been brought to my attention that not everyone knows what a Stand Up Paddle board is, and why are they so cool.
A little bit of history…
Surfing was originally invented by the ancient Polynesians as a form of getting to shore through the reef breaks after fishing, or traveling from other islands. Many people believe that stand up paddle surfing was one of the earliest forms of the sport. As time went on, surfing grew, developed, and changed. At one time it was something enjoyed by men and women alike, until it was banned by missionaries who felt that the lack of clothing and mingling of the sexes was just not right for their puritan standards. Surfing started to regain popularity and acceptance in the early 1900 thanks largely in part to Duke Kahanamoku. Duke was an Olympic swimmer and the only surfer to ever be on a US postage stamp.
The modern resurection of Stand Up Paddling happened in the 1960, when surf instructors on busy beaches in Hawaii, would stand on their boards and use canoe paddles as a way to oversee large groups of novice surfers in the water. It wasn’t for almost another 50 years before SUP would gain acceptance and popularity as a great water sport activity.
Why SUP
SUP is recognized as one of the fastest growing water sports. For surfers, stand up paddle boarding offers them the ability to catch more waves, as well as offering a better view of incoming sets. A stand up paddle surfer can catch waves that are not quite as steep and therefore get ‘deeper’ on the wave and have longer rides. The greater volume of the board also allows people to catch smaller waves, or ride ones that may not be moving as fast.
For the flat water paddler, SUP boards are a great way to travel on water and stay fit. The high vantage point means that you can see more things than you would if you were swimming or in a kayak. We often see turtles, eagle rays and more while cruising on our boards. Standing on an unstable surface is also a great way to work on your balance as well as develop your core strength.
In conclusion….
SUP is a great way to get on the water and have some fun. It can be a challenging workout, a way to catch more waves, or just a cool way to get around on the water. With our selection of boards and paddles, we have something to suit every rider from beginning to seasoned veteran.
And just in case my description wasn’t enough for you, here is one of our old videos showing us having some fun on our SUP boards.
We are having such a great day here that it’s a shame to see these Waverunners sitting in the water without anyone riding them. What do you say we take them out for a spin?
Did you know that White Sand offers weekly rentals of Stand Up Paddle Boards? Well you do now! We have a great selection of boards available and we can even deliver them to you anywhere on island. Now you don’t have to worry about how to fit an 11 foot paddle board in your carry-on luggage for the flight down here.
White Sand Water Sports welcomes the Cayman Island Sailing Club to the Reef Resort for their annual sailing regatta. The sun is shining and the breeze is blowing making for ideal sailing conditions. We would challenge them to a race on our Hobie Getaway, but we are booked all day for our Sail & Snorkel Adventures. What better way to enjoy a day like this than sailing down the coast and exploring the amazing coral reefs?
May 2nd, 2012 
