A guide to paddle boarding: freedom, accessibility, peace

Participation, relaxation and new experiences await you in the water

Do you want to learn all about paddle boarding? Follow the guide: learn how this sport has become so popular today. Discover its benefits and where to do it at Club Med Resorts, from Japan to Brazil, via Europe.

A practice steeped in history: the origins of paddle boarding

Polynesians used large wooden planks to get around their lagoons and travel between islands. In the 1940s, having been inspired by this form of transport, champion swimmer Duke Kahanamoku and the famous Beach Boys of Waikiki began to use similar planks off the Hawaiian coast. By standing up they found they could more easily monitor swimmers and keep an eye on swells. Stand up paddle boarding, a precursor to surfing, was born. It re-emerged as a leisure activity in the 2000s and remains as popular as ever. With Club Med you'll find 30-odd Resorts where you can learn or perfect paddle boarding on a variety of lakes and seas across the world.

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Stand up paddle boarding: why is it so popular?

Stand up paddle boarding has been popular for several years. Why the buzz? Because it's an activity that suits both beginners and hardened paddle boarders. The equipment is easy to handle and it's a sociable activity that suits all needs and levels. As well as being heaps of fun, it will keep you in shape and improve your muscle tone. It's a sport that uses all muscle groups - arms, chest, shoulder and back muscles are used to steer and paddle. The abs, thighs and leg muscles are needed for stability. You can go at your own pace, while burning calories and toning up.

Discover the benefits of this free-access activity.

The advantages of stand up paddle boarding:

  • simple, easy-to-use equipment: a board, a paddle and a leash that attaches the board to your ankle.
  • you can sit, kneel or stand up
  • it's an all-rounder that works all of the body's muscles
  • it's sociable, so you can enjoy going out with family and friends
  • paddle boarding is a sport that you can combine with other activities such as a hike or yoga class

Where to discover and try stand up paddle boarding at Club Med.

With free access and included in your stay, stand up paddle boarding is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy spectacular scenery. Head to the Club Med Turkoise Resort and glide across the Caribbean's crystal clear blue waters. Stay in Palmiye in Turkey and enjoy outings in the Aegean where you can admire the rocky peaks of Mount Taurus.Enjoy exotic views as you paddle along the waterfront that lines the Indonesian resort at Bintan. Discover the pleasures of stand up paddle boarding in the multi-faceted region of Salvador de Bahia by booking a stay at the Club Med Itaparica Resort. Wind your way through the sub-tropical waters of Kabira in Japan, surrounded by a turquoise sea that extends to the horizon and is lined with lush, tropical vegetation. Paddle boarding is nothing short of sheer pleasure.

Discover the top 5 Club Med Resorts for stand up paddle boarding

5 Club Med resorts where you can try stand up paddle boarding:

  • The Turkoise Resort in the Caribbean's Turks and Caicos Islands
  • The Palmiye Resort in Turkey
  • The Bintan Resort in Indonesia
  • The Itaparica Resort in Brazil
  • The Kabira Resort in Japan