Numerous ecological regulations impact our fish, yet few volunteers are interested in doing the hard work of registering them to vote. Canvass your local waterways with this Groupon.

Choose from Four Options

• $55 for a two-hour standup-paddleboarding lesson for one (a $160 value)
• $79 for a two-hour standup-paddleboarding lesson for two (a $320 value)
• $139 for a two-hour standup-paddleboarding lesson for four (a $640 value)
$30 for a four-hour standup-paddleboarding rental package (a $160 value)

After running students through the basics of standing up on the board, paddling, turning, and falling safely, instructor Matt leads them out into the water. There, students practice catching waves and using their board for balance and support, much in the same way a beaver uses pool noodles. Afterward, he sets them loose for up to an hour to practice what they've learned. Full-day rentals are also available to let more-experienced paddlers challenge Venice Beach's surf on their own.

Venice Beach Surf School

When instructor Matt Rosas compares surfing to "riding energy from the sun," his words evoke the freedom and carefree attitude that has come to be synonymous with the sport. He hopes to instill that same effervescent feeling in his students and customers at Venice Beach Surf School, where he draws from more than 25 years' experience teaching surfing and standup-paddleboarding lessons. In the churning surf and on the white sand beaches of Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, and four other Southern California beaches, he coaches paddlers in the basics of catching waves, standing, and running over the biggest sand castle on shore. He also arranges rentals of water-sports equipment to let visitors explore the waters on their own.