Big Day Out

Paddles up

Katrina Lau tackles the stand up paddle-board in Southside

If dragon boating and windsurfing are not up your alley, stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) may be the relaxing water sport you are searching for this summer. We’ve tested the water and here’s how you can enjoy some sun and sea in Stanley.

What is paddle-boarding

A cross between surfing and kayaking, paddle boarders stand on the boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. To get moving paddle boarders will need to balance their

knees on the board and gradually begin to stand up. Once standing up they can increase paddle speed and even practice some yoga poses.

Where to rent

Aqua-Bound SUP Led by professionally trained instructors, Aqua-Bound SUP, located on Stanley Main Beach offers classes and equipment hire. The water sports centre offers SUP equipment rental for SUP boards, kayaks, windsurfing and wakeboarding equipment. Boards are available to rent for one hour for $80 or the whole day for $350. Buoyancy vests and wetsuits are also available. aquabound.com.hk

Island Paddle HK Founded by fitness and ocean enthusiast couple Esther Bland and Niall Westley, Island Paddle focuses on giving people the confidence to paddle safely while teaching you the fundamentals of SUP safety and technique before hiring out a board. Join one of their

90-minute lessons and tours taking place in Stanley Bay or enjoy a SUP Yoga session to help you reconnect with nature.

islandpaddle.hk

AUM Yoga Academy Founded by Miss Doris in 2012, AUM Yoga Academy has four branches across Hong Kong offering a variety of yoga practices from traditional matt yoga to aerial yoga. Throughout September, the academy is offering SUP yoga sessions at South Bay Beach, so you can practice your downward dog on the water.

aum.com.hk

Best places to go

Stanley Beach While Stanley is the perfect weekday location to hit the seas, weekends and public holidays tend to be a bit busier with plenty of sea traffic. Beginners should opt for a quieter time to practice their skills. Repulse Bay One of Southside’s most popular beaches, paddle boarders can enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine before heading over to The Pulse for a well-earned snack. Tai Tam Bay For a more serene SUP experience Tai Tam Bay’s calm waters will put first time paddlers at ease. It’s abundance of marine life will be an exciting addition to the trip.