The hottest thing on Anna Maria Island this season is renting stand up paddle boards. They’ve been around for several years now, but are just picking up momentum because it’s a sport that just about anyone can do. You don’t need a lot of skill to enjoy a paddle board. All you need is a little balance and time to take in the beautiful sites you will see from the water. It’s a completely different perspective and its one you’ll truly love. Keep your eyes peeled and you might just see a manatee under foot and there’s a great chance that you’ll have a school of dolphins playing around you. Renting paddle boards is a fun way to catch some rays, get some exercise and is also great mode of transportation to take you up and down the island. You can pull up onto the beach for a quick break and a suntan or head into one of the restaurant or cafes for a bit of lunch and hop back on the board when you’re ready for more.
If you’ve never tried paddle boarding, you can rent one for a half day to test it out and believe me, you’ll have so much fun that you’ll end up extending the rental. Its best to start out in calm waters until you get the knack, but it won’t take you long to figure it out. Unlike the traditional surf board where you are sideways on the board with one foot in front of the other, you will have your feet side by side on the paddle board. This is what gives you the stability, not to mention the fact that the paddle board is much wider than a regular surf board, that you’re almost guaranteed to stand up and stabilize yourself the first try. Once you’re feeling a little more confident you can try catching a swell and ride it into shore. There are different skill levels of paddle boarding, but you definitely don’t need to be a professional to rent one. Not only can paddle boarding be peaceful, you can make it exciting and thrilling and you’ll get a great core workout without even trying.
Renting stand up paddle boards on Anna Maria is one of the best ways to check out the island. You can paddle up and down the beaches or launch the boards into the canals. Some of the best drop off points are the Manatee Public Beach or the Sandbar on the gulf side of the island, but if you’re a newby and want to set off without the crowds looking on, there are plenty of quieter public beach access points that you can start from. From the bay side of the island you can start from Bayfront Park.. If its mangroves and wildlife you’re interested in seeing, then the best place is paddling up and down the canals and into Bimini Bay where you can even paddle out from there into the open ocean on the bay side.
Paddle boards can be rented for half day, full day or weekly and the rates are great and best of all, they will be delivered directly to your vacation home or anywhere else on Anna Maria or Longboat key. If you’re looking to do an eco tour, you can do that too. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Paddle Board Lessons on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is located off the coast of Tampa Bay and in between the Gulf of Mexico and offers about 7 miles of beautiful beaches and waters. A large portion of your vacation is spent in the water because the climate is mild, warm and sunny an average of 360 days a year. Anna Maria is great vacation destination for the entire family and while there are no amusement parks or other usual attractions that most other vacation spots have, you can find beaches galore and shops, restaurants, museums and much more. People go snorkeling and participate in many other water sports such as swimming, boogie boarding, jet skiing, boating, paddle boarding and more.
One thing that is becoming more and more popular for so many reasons is stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria. Paddle boards are great because they are so easy to use and combine being on an oversized surfboard and using a canoe paddle. This gives you the feeling of surfing and windsurfing without the high speed. Paddle boarding does require a little balance, and for those who have never stepped foot on a paddle board, taking lessons may be a good option before getting out on the open water.
Stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria are a great way to get practice, and most places will offer lessons before you go out. For the most part, you’re only going to need about an hour long instruction. Paddle boarding is an easy activity to take part in and can be enjoyed by almost everyone in your group.
The price of an hour long lesson can vary depending on where you go and how extensive the lesson is. Basically once you have the balancing down, you are pretty much set to go out onto the water. Some people will start on their knees or sitting down to get their bearings and to get pas t the waves. Once they are out in the clear and calm water, they get up on their feet.
Stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria Island offer different size paddle boards for those who are beginners and for those who are more experienced. There are paddle boards that are larger and thicker meaning they are going to be a little more stable on the water .
It is always important to be careful participating in water sports, but especially when you are in unfamiliar water. Luckily the water in and around Anna Maria is shallow, but you still don’t want to end up somewhere you shouldn’t especially if the whether changes while you’re out and the water suddenly turns rough. You need to be sure to maintain proper control of the paddle board at all times and when paddling alone, its best to make sure to find your way back before it gets too dark.
Stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria is something that you can enjoy at any age. Explore Anna Maria Island from a completely new perspective. Not only will you get a gorgeous view of the island from the water, but you will also be able to see the fish swimming below you. If you should be so lucky, you may even get the chance to paddle with the dolphins or get a glimpse of one of the friendly Manatees.
One thing that is becoming more and more popular for so many reasons is stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria. Paddle boards are great because they are so easy to use and combine being on an oversized surfboard and using a canoe paddle. This gives you the feeling of surfing and windsurfing without the high speed. Paddle boarding does require a little balance, and for those who have never stepped foot on a paddle board, taking lessons may be a good option before getting out on the open water.
Stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria are a great way to get practice, and most places will offer lessons before you go out. For the most part, you’re only going to need about an hour long instruction. Paddle boarding is an easy activity to take part in and can be enjoyed by almost everyone in your group.
The price of an hour long lesson can vary depending on where you go and how extensive the lesson is. Basically once you have the balancing down, you are pretty much set to go out onto the water. Some people will start on their knees or sitting down to get their bearings and to get pas t the waves. Once they are out in the clear and calm water, they get up on their feet.
Stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria Island offer different size paddle boards for those who are beginners and for those who are more experienced. There are paddle boards that are larger and thicker meaning they are going to be a little more stable on the water .
It is always important to be careful participating in water sports, but especially when you are in unfamiliar water. Luckily the water in and around Anna Maria is shallow, but you still don’t want to end up somewhere you shouldn’t especially if the whether changes while you’re out and the water suddenly turns rough. You need to be sure to maintain proper control of the paddle board at all times and when paddling alone, its best to make sure to find your way back before it gets too dark.
Stand up paddle board rentals on Anna Maria is something that you can enjoy at any age. Explore Anna Maria Island from a completely new perspective. Not only will you get a gorgeous view of the island from the water, but you will also be able to see the fish swimming below you. If you should be so lucky, you may even get the chance to paddle with the dolphins or get a glimpse of one of the friendly Manatees.
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