A short distance south of San Francisco, CA is this region that has exquisite elements of weather and nature that fit well with paddle sports activities of canoe and kayak trips.
Although the history of kayaks and canoes begins with the early native people who used these types of boats for transportation, paddle sports are used today primarily for recreation trips on all bodies of water.
One trend emerging is that people are using kayaks and canoes for transportation again, as people gain awareness of the environment and want to escape from the congested traffic.
Christian Knight mentions this in his article from Paddler Magazine on June 5, 2009, "There Really Is Another Way", “the Long Island, New York Boathouse director John McGarvey has applied Kayaking to: Transportation. He finds the commute short and relaxing.” McGarvey escapes the congested automobile traffic by taking his kayak down the East River.
The second trend of paddle sports is Stand Up Paddling or SUP. Stand Up Paddling is not really a new paddle sport, as it became popular in Hawaii because of the Waikiki Beach Boys in the 1960s. SUP was introduced as a category this year at the local Kayak Surfing Festival in Santa Cruz, CA.
Stand Up Paddling Attraction at Santa Cruz, CA Festival
Stand Up Paddling actually started a decade earlier of the 1960's, when these Waikiki Beach Boys, a group of men who made their living as surf instructors, used to stand up on their boards and paddle their way out in the ocean and take pictures of the tourists learning how to surf. SUP now is a fun sport which engages people of all ages and easy to learn. People enjoy SUP as they may participate on all bodies of water, including lakes and rivers, not just the ocean.
Monterey Bay, California is a perfect place with its flat water and waves at the edge of the ocean, where people may explore two types of Stand Up Paddling: touring and surfing. Taking lessons is encouraged before going on tours or surfing.
Classes are held periodically throughout the year for men, women and children in the Monterey Bay region. The Stand Up Paddling classes engage core muscles to promote balance, stability, and performance on water.
The Annual Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival, sponsored by Adventure Sports Unlimited, and held in March 2009, introduced the Stand Up Paddle Surfing competition as a new category. People viewed this show from the cliffs overlooking the spectacular Steamer Lane with its waves in the Santa Cruz Harbor. This Festival is a well known Kayak Surfing contest that has been held every year since the 1960s with the winning team going to the World Kayak Surf Festival.
Paddling Lessons and Trips Found in Monterey Bay
Santa Cruz Wharf, Capitola, Elkhorn Slough, and Natural Bridges are prominent areas where the paddle sports of canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddling may be found. There is a choice of companies to choose from for lessons and popular canoe, kayak and stand up paddle day trips.
Adventure Sports Unlimited provides lessons and fun Family-on-Water Kayak day trips throughout the summer months. Places visited are:
Inland lake of Loch Lomond Reservoir
Stillwater Cove looking out from Pebble Beach Golf course on Carmel Bay
Pescadero Slough.
Adventure Sports Unlimited, Santa Cruz : (831) 458-3648 for more information.
Kayak Connection also gives lessons and tours for stand up paddling, canoeing, and kayaking at both Santa Cruz and Elk Horn Slough locations, for men, women, and children. Prices range between $55 and $90 and it is recommended to call in advance for information.
Kayak Connection, Santa Cruz Harbor (831) 479-1121 or Elkhorn Slough (831) 724-5692
Paddling adventures found along Monterey Bay include a new industry trend of stand up paddling along with canoe and kayaks trips; allowing people to connect as a social network, building strength and confidence of being on the ocean.
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