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PaddleFit

Browse the SUPWell class schedule and you’ll see the name ‘PaddleFit' popping up everywhere. So what is it and why do we use it? Alongside our experience on the water and desire to see you succeed at stand up paddling, PaddleFit is the coaching system that forms the building blocks of our SUP instruction. It’s a unique coaching system in the fledgling sport of stand up paddling.

PaddleFit Basic

The PaddleFit system begins with PaddleFit Basic which is an introductory class to teach the basics of SUP. Those include safety, equipment, getting in and out of the water, standing up, falling off, getting back on your board, paddle stroke basics, stopping and turning. So PaddleFit Basic gets you off to a good start. 

FIND A PADDLEFIT BASIC CLASS

PaddleFit Tech

From an introduction, building block number 2 is often technique. Yes, there is technique involved in SUP. Certainly if you want to paddle efficiently, without niggles and pain and with some power, technique is essential. Do you get back, foot or shoulder pain? Know where to hold your paddle? How much do you and should you use your arms? Loopy stroke? All those questions and more are answered through a progressive set of classes called PaddleFit Tech I and PaddleFit Tech II. Focusing on simple PaddleFit drills and getting real time feedback on how you are going consistently improves our clients’ paddling.

FIND A PADDLEFIT TECH I CLASS or TECH II CLASS

PaddleFit Water

Partner technique up with paddling further and at a higher pace and we start to build paddle fitness. This is the purpose of classes like PaddleFit Water where there is a technique focus combined with experiencing a range of more challenging conditions and paddling intervals to build strength and fitness. We enjoy progressing your fitness, skills and experience so you can look back and reflect that ‘I wouldn’t or couldn’t have done that weeks or months ago’. 

FIND A PADDLEFIT WATER CLASS

In many ways these building blocks are creating a sound foundation for the really fun experiences you can have with a paddle board. Exploring rivers, estuaries and islands knowing that you have the skills and fitness to enjoy it fully. Rangitoto, Whitford, Puhoi and many more opportunities open up. Or racing and pitting your wits against a course of buoys that require you to use your fitness and skills and to learn new tricks. Or for a bit of ‘urban surfing’ there’s downwinding and learning to catch and ‘surf’ the bumpy water. If the beach is your happy place, learn to catching and ride waves on a SUP. And if your aspiration is play at beach with the kids, that’s a great family experience.

The PaddleFit system provides us with all the tools to grow our paddlers from first glide to first wave. Or whatever your SUP aspiration may be. And it means we can do it in a way that is biodynamically sound and takes into account good fitness principles like dynamic warm ups and prehab exercises to avoid injury.

Got a SUP aspiration for 2019?

Come and paddle with us. 

Closing out one year and entering a new one is always a time of reflection and creating intentions for the unmarked path ahead. Our intentions encompass what we want to do, achieve or become and they are often the ‘jump start’ for change in our lives. We know our intentions also take us on a path into the unknown which is accompanied by a whole range of emotions for anticipation and excitement to nervousness and sometimes fear.

We started SUPWell because we’re passionate about more New Zealanders of all ages and abilities discovering the best that stand up paddling (SUP) has to offer. That’s our intention. We know it lines up with many peoples’ intention to try or improve their stand up paddling. Like all intentions though, you probably have a range of emotions connected with that flicker of desire. It’s a leap into the unknown which almost always carries with it a sense of discomfort.

Our goal at SUPWell is to make it EASY for you to discover the best SUP has to offer. So let us guide you through the questions we hear most often and demystify some of those unknowns.

1. Will I be able to do it? With good equipment and guidance, the answer is yes. Simple things like how to stand up successfully, where to stand on your board and how to use you paddle all make a big difference to your success rate. But I need great balance, don’t I? Not really. With a stable board you’ll be amazed at what’s possible and in any event, balance is very trainable. It’s not something you ‘have’ or ‘don’t have’.
2. What gear do I need? You can bring yours (if you have it) or we provide all the top quality gear you need from the board and paddle to your life vest and leg leash. And this also has the advantage that we can match you with a board that suits your height, build and confidence levels so you can experience standing up and paddling.
3. What if I fall off? Truthfully, this is inevitable, even for the best of us. And arguably it’s part of the fun in summer when the water is warm. We teach you to fall away from your board (which most people do naturally anyway) and you get wet. That’s it. And you have a leg leash and a life vest on so you can get back to the board and climb back on … we’ll show you how to do that. So as long as you can swim a bit, you’ll be fine.
4. What should I wear? Light exercise gear like shorts/leggings and a t-shirt or top. Quick drying fabrics will keep you most comfortable so avoid cotton fabrics. At this time of year in Auckland there’s no need for any fancier gear than you’d wear for a walk or for the gym.
5. Is it safe? Under the guidance of a qualified instructor and in appropriate conditions, it’s a low risk activity. We make sure you are in enough open water and space that going for a swim is really the worse case scenario. It can feel more comfortable to start in a more ‘enclosed’ water space so we hold our classes in basin-like environments (like Orakei Basin, Judges Bay and Lake Pupuke) as well as at bays and beaches.
6. What about the weather? Yes, the weather plays an important part in a safe and enjoyable experience. Wind direction and strength are the key influencers for where and whether to hold a class. Rain can obviously play a role too. We may move classes to a more suitable location (like Lake Pupuke or Judges Bay) in the wind or if we do cancel a class because of weather, we’ll credit you that class back.

Over the combined 8 years we have been coaching stand up paddling, we’ve successfully taught people of all ages, body shapes and energy levels to paddle. Some of our most rewarding work is coaching people recovering from cancer treatment to paddle through the PaddleOn Program … it makes the biggest difference to peoples mental and physical wellbeing, not to mention their confidence.

As with any intention that becomes reality, there’s the moment you need to embrace the unknown. Followed by moments of joy and achievement, frustration and disappointment and joy and achievement. Moment’s of feeling ‘I’ve got it’ and moments of confusion. That’s learning. The beautiful thing about what we do is that we can always point to your progress: your first glide; first time to turn; first time from bay to bay. And you can have a chat to paddlers who will have been through similar experiences and learn from how they’ve improved.

Come and navigate into the unknown with us in 2019.

BREAK FREE AND FLY

Book in here to learn how to use foil boards with Starboard's own Jeremy Stephenson.

Jeremy has more than 15 years experience of "Wave foiling" in big and small surf and getting hundreds of people up and flying, and he is a certified SUP Rescue Ski Driver.

This is your chance to get going like a pro in minutes, whether it's for SUP, Downwind, Windsurf, Prone, Wakestyle or Kite Foiling.

Using the latest gear and boards to suit riders ability* and the latest Yamaha Jet ski and safety gear.  

PREREQUISITE SKILLS: 

1. Must be able to EITHER ride a wave standing up and in control on a surf or SUP board OR wakeboard, windsurf or kitesurf competently.  Other advanced-level boardriders (eg snow/skate) could be considered.

2. Must be able to swim competently and be comfortable treading water for extended periods

Book your turn to fly for only $199 a session. Contact Us

We'll contact you to arrange your private lesson at a time to suit.  If purchasing as a gift, we can send you a PDF gift voucher to give to the surfer in your life.

Location and Times: to suit conditions. Calm sheltered waters ideal.  Auckland region, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty by arrangement.

*Lesson is only suited to people who have some surf or wake skills.  It is not suitable for beginners to surfing or stand up paddling.

**Lesson is for adults.  Any kids under 18yo must be pre-approved and be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also comfortable on the water.

***Please contact Jeremy 021 926 698 with any questions regarding available locations, prerequisite skills or other enquiries.

Build your confidence and paddling skills on flatwater, the ocean or small waves while you are on holiday this summer!

- Technique analysis and development
- Improve paddle efficiency
- Prevent and rehab injuries
- Beginners to Advanced Paddlers

One on One or small group coaching - $99/hr for one to three people (so only $33pp if you get a group of 3 together). Larger groups by arrangement (up to 8 per group).

Latest Starboard Equipment provided (if needed).

Contact Victoria on 021 644 129 or book online here

Your coach Victoria Stuart has a wealth of experience teaching and competing in the sport of Stand Up Paddling for more than 10 years. She is a PaddleFit Pro and ISA Qualified Instructor, and works closely with Pinc and Steel physiotherapists on the SUP Cancer Rehabilitation program PaddleOn. Her classes are suitable for all ages and abilities, from 5yo to 90+ 

Starboard Paddleboarding equipment is light and stable, and boards are suitable for all shapes and sizes, up to rider weight 120kg. 

Location will be determined by tides and wind on the day of your lesson. It could be Otahu Estuary, the beach or a longer explore paddle up the Harbour or out to the islands. Lessons in Pauanui or Opoutere can also be arranged.