Some people find the water. Tim Sanford was born into it. From the salt-stained docks of Mystic River to the open Atlantic swells between Antigua and Portugal, water has never been a hobby for Tim — it has always been home. And that lifelong relationship is exactly what flows through everything we do at Paddle Method.
A New England Childhood on the Water
Tim grew up in New England, and from the age of four, marinas and sailboats were as familiar as the family dinner table. Summers were spent cruising the storied coastline — from the historic harbor at Mystic River, out to Block Island, across Long Island Sound, past the golden beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, and all the way to the outer reaches of Cape Cod. These weren’t vacations. They were an education. An education in seamanship, in reading the wind, in the patience that the ocean demands and the rewards it gives in return.
Those early years on the water shaped something in Tim that no classroom ever could — a deep, embodied understanding of how the sea moves, how a boat responds, and how a person feels when they are truly in their element. That feeling never left him.
The Atlantic Crossing: 36 Days, 34 Feet, One Ocean
Fast forward to 2001. Tim completed the ARC Rally Europe — one of the most celebrated ocean sailing events in the world — crossing the Atlantic from Antigua to Portugal on a 34-foot sailboat over 36 days at sea. No landmarks. No shortcuts. Just open ocean, stars, trade winds, and the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from trusting yourself and your vessel completely.
It is one thing to sail a protected bay. It is another thing entirely to point your bow east and not see land for over a month. That crossing cemented Tim’s relationship with the sea in a way that still shapes how he coaches every single paddler who walks down to the water’s edge for the first time.
Los Angeles, Surfing, and the Discovery of SUP
When Tim moved to Los Angeles, the ocean called again — this time through surfing. Learning to surf on the Pacific coast reconnected him to that childhood instinct: read the water, feel the rhythm, trust the process. But it was a vacation to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands that changed everything.
It was 2010, and stand-up paddleboarding was just beginning to capture the imagination of water lovers worldwide. Tim stepped onto a board in those crystal-clear Caribbean waters and immediately recognized something profound: this was a vehicle for everything he loved about being on the water — the connection to nature, the physical engagement, the meditative calm, the sense of exploration — made accessible to almost anyone.
He came home to Los Angeles and founded Paddle Method.
From Local Races to International Paddle Adventures
What started as a passion quickly became a mission. Tim threw himself into the SUP world — competing in local races, pushing his skills in the challenging conditions of Santa Monica Bay, mastering close-quarter paddling in the busy channels of Marina del Rey, and eventually guiding paddlers through the surf zone and along the stunning coastal stretches of Malibu and Palos Verdes.
Over 15 years and thousands of students from all over the world, Tim developed a coaching methodology built on one simple idea: baby steps, customized for you. Whether you are stepping onto a board for the very first time or preparing to paddle the coast of Croatia (yes, that really happened — ask us about Wioletta!), the path is the same: learn the fundamentals, build real skills, and grow into the paddler you want to be.
Bringing It All Together: SUP and Sail
Now, after a lifetime on the water — from New England marinas to the mid-Atlantic, from Caribbean coves to the California coast — Tim is bringing SUP and sailing together under one roof.
The Discover Sunset Sailing series launches on Wednesday evenings at sunset, aboard a magnificent 40-foot ocean-going blue water cruiser. Your captain holds an OUPV license and brings decades of sailing experience, including years of teaching for the American Sailing Academy. This is not a passive sunset cruise. You will get behind the wheel. You will hoist a sail. You will learn real seamanship and test your sea legs on the open water — all in the warm glow of a Southern California sunset.
And this is just the beginning. Coming soon: sailing adventures paired with whale watching, and paddling expeditions into the hidden coves of Palos Verdes, Malibu, Catalina Island, and the Channel Islands. Imagine gliding into a sea cave on your SUP after anchoring in a protected cove — or paddling alongside migrating gray whales before stepping back aboard for a sunset sail home. That is the vision. That is where this is all heading.
Why This Matters
Tim did not build Paddle Method to sell paddle board lessons. He built it because he genuinely believes that time on the water changes people. It relieves stress. It builds confidence. It creates community. It reconnects you to something ancient and essential — the feeling of being held by the ocean, moving with the wind, present in a way that daily life rarely allows.
Every skill he teaches — reading the water, staying balanced in choppy conditions, timing your way through the surf zone — is a metaphor for navigating life. And that is not an accident. It is the whole point.
Whether you are a total beginner stepping onto a board for the first time, a seasoned paddler ready to push your horizons, or someone who has always dreamed of feeling the wind fill a sail — there is a place for you here.
“Feel the call of the water. Live life on the water. Let’s go paddle!”
Explore the SUP & Sail Adventure →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Discover Sunset Sailing experience at Paddle Method?
The Discover Sunset Sailing is a 3-hour Wednesday evening sail aboard a 40-foot ocean-going cruiser, skippered by an OUPV-licensed captain with decades of experience. You will get hands-on time at the helm, hoist a sail, and learn real seamanship — all while watching the sun set over the Pacific.
Do I need sailing experience to join the Discover Sailing series?
Not at all! The Discover Sailing series is designed for complete beginners and curious adventurers. Your experienced captain will guide you through everything step by step. All you need to bring is enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.
What SUP and sailing adventures are coming soon?
Paddle Method is developing combined SUP and sailing expeditions to the hidden coves of Palos Verdes, Malibu, Catalina Island, and the Channel Islands — including paddle adventures paired with whale watching. Stay tuned for announcements!
Where does Paddle Method operate?
Paddle Method is based in Marina del Rey and operates across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, and Palos Verdes. Our flagship flat-water location at Mother’s Beach is one of the most beginner-friendly SUP spots in all of Southern California.
How do Tim’s sailing and paddling backgrounds make Paddle Method different?
Tim has been on the water since age four — sailing New England’s coast, crossing the Atlantic, surfing in LA, and discovering SUP in the Virgin Islands. That lifelong experience informs a coaching methodology built on real-world skills, customized for every paddler’s goals and ability level.
