Welcome to Paddle Method
"Your life on the water begins here"
Southern California is one of the best places to SUP in the world! We are lucky to have an expansive playground to explore, with miles of coastline access to the Pacific Ocean, harbors and marinas, off-shore islands and even rivers and lakes. Educating the paddling public about creating and controlling their own momentum, learning rules of the road, marine etiquette, how to work with the natural conditions of wind, wave, and tides, are life skills we want to share with our students so they can enjoy a lifetime of paddling anywhere in the world they want to go. We honor the individual paddler’s learning curve and want to provide a safe, fun, learning environment that all levels can enjoy. SUP is fun and paddling with strength, confidence in the company of other enthusiastic paddlers is what Paddle Method is all about.”
Tim Sanford - Founder
About Paddle Method
Paddle Method is an accredited SUP school that is all about making SUP instruction fun and accessible for all. Paddle Method is a learning methodology that takes a complex paddle stroke technique (derived from a SUP race and SUP surf paddle stroke) and breaks it down into easy to understand elements so that paddlers of all levels will be able to paddle confidently and get a low-impact, high-powered calorie burning water workout. This technique focuses on engaging and synchronizing body movement with the paddle stroke in order to create, maximize, and control the paddler’s momentum so that anyone can have fun and explore all the waterways that southern California has to offer with confidence.
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Paddle Method lessons range from first-timer "get your feet wet and discover SUP" basic lessons to advanced coastal down-winders and SUP surfing. We have access to a range of environments from calm, flat-water lagoons, and marinas to open ocean coastal tours and surf zone so that all can be challenged at their own pace. Skill-builders, water workouts, and Paddle Method paddle games are available for paddlers working on becoming stronger paddlers, interested in entering their first SUP race, or prepping for an International paddle trip and adventures. Semi-private SUP classes along with private and small group coaching are available year round as are our signature private group Paddle Party with beach and Paddle Games. Bring your friends, family and co-workers for a truly unique private event.
Lesson 1 - Marina classes start with water safety, equipment, reading the conditions and rules of the road. The focus of the technique section is board control and engaging the muscle groups in the arms, shoulders and mid section or “core” of the paddler.
Lesson 2 - Wind Create Speed to get through wind, wakes, and get a great low-impact workout. Our flat water instruction reviews the upper body movement with the aim of moving the power source further down the body and into the hip. Hip rotation, synchronized with upper body movement is the name of the game. Basic turns are modified to include more advanced moves; including; step back and pivot turns, compound turning maneuvers, using wind and waves as a source of energy.
Lesson 3 - Wave Timing Open water instruction is essentially a water workout and paddle technique clinic where the goal is for paddler’s to synchronize and engage all the muscles from their head to the their toes into the stroke and time their way through waves onan ocean beach launch. The paddler shifts from pulling the paddle to them to pulling themselves to their paddle. Advanced paddlers work on new hand and foot placement positions for maximum performance while speed and body control drills are augmented with beach and board calisthenics.
Personal and Small Group Personal Coaching is for the SUP enthusiasts who want to build more knowledge, get truly unique water workouts along with the chance to explore Socal’s waterways. Personal coaching offers a chance to get individual attention on your stroke for maximum results, state-of-the-art GPS and Stroke rate monitors are used in conjunction with Video and goal specific drills and, for some, SUP race and SUP surf opportunities.[/expand]
Paddle Method offers the best guided SUP tours in LA! All tours have an instruction component embedded geared for beginners and intermediate paddlers so that all anyone can learn basic and intermediate stroke technique while exploring the scenic waterways in and around Los Angeles -- from Malibu to Palos Verdes!
Paddle Method uses only top quality boards and performance paddles for all lessons, tours and workouts and offer equipment rentals for those who want to practice their stroke on the best SUP gear available.
