{"id":19017,"date":"2016-04-23T16:00:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-23T16:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=19017"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:51:47","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:51:47","slug":"how-to-stand-up-paddle-like-a-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/how-to-stand-up-paddle-like-a-pro\/","title":{"rendered":"Video: How to stand-up paddle like a pro"},"content":{"rendered":"

I first learned how to stand-up paddle in\u00a0Hawaii<\/a>. I was instantly hooked, prompting me to paddle on every future vacation involving a body of water. I mean, how can I say no to exploring at sea and<\/em>\u00a0strengthening my core? It\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n

What I love about the fastest-growing sport at sea is it\u2019s easy to learn\u2014I promise, I just my taught my parents. Think of it as choose-your-own-adventure activity: You can take it one stroke at a time on a glassy lake, or channel your inner Kelly Slater and surf some waves. Either way, you always have your paddle for balance.<\/p>\n

Eventually, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on vacation\u00a0wasn’t going to cut it\u2014I wanted to do the sport all<\/em>\u00a0the time\u2014so my husband and I purchased boards to\u00a0live the vacation lifestyle at home. And because a SUP skews bigger, sturdier, and more buoyant than a typical surfboard, we bring our 30-pound dog, Mr. Nacho King (featured in this article about traveling with our furry friends<\/a>), along for the ride.<\/p>\n

Thinking back to my favorite SUP-centric travels, the best place I learned was in a protected ocean lagoon at The Fairmont Orchid<\/a>\u00a0on Hawaii Island. I recently returned there on vacation and shot this\u00a0how-to video in the calm and easy-breezy bay. Check out the reel below for five “getting started” SUP tips, plus an epic moment involving yours\u00a0<\/span>truly and\u00a0a curious turtle!<\/span><\/p>\n