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.
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.
Let’s face it, the Cayman Islands are three very small chunks of rock and sand out in the middle of the Caribbean. Part of the beauty of coming here is that you are far away from everywhere else and can feel like you are on a true island. We are about 451 miles south of Miami, 2840 miles south west of Los Angeles, 1689 miles south of Toronto and 4675 miles south-east of London. It doesn’t really matter where in the world we are though, because when you are here, you are exactly where you want to be.
Wow is it calm out here! The weather doesn’t get any better and the water doesn’t get any clearer. Here the boys are taking advantage of a little bit of down time between snorkel tours and cooling off in the crystal clear blue water. When the visibility is this good, you almost don’t even need a mask and snorkel to check out the undersea wildlife. Have a look at this slightly camera shy Hawksbill Turtle we came across. Cayman Island stand up paddle boarding at it’s finest!
May 2nd, 2012 
