Paddleboarders travel across the water while upright, just like water skiers and dolphins who can afford Segways. Stand proud above the ocean with this Groupon.
$35 for a Two-Hour Paddleboard Lesson and Tour (a $70 Value)
Paddleboard lessons kick off with a 7-minute session on the beach, during which a guide and a helper go over currents, wind, and safety. Once in the water, they teach how to stand on boards, balance, and perform efficient paddle strokes that could mix a giant chocolate milk shake. Groups float single file and tour different aquatic sites, potentially spotting views of wildlife such as bald eagles and sea lions. Two-hour excursions take place around Shilshole and include a SUP board and paddle.
Washington Surf Academy
It's been more than three decades since Andrew Drake rode his first wave, but his passion for surfing stays strong. Washington Surf Academy is the embodiment of his passion and has grown to include instruction not just for surfing but for paddleboards as well. Unlike a gingerbread man's enemies, Mr. Drake's classes don't take a cookie-cutter approach. "Every person is a unique case," he says. The diversity of his clientele is one of the things Mr. Drake finds most rewarding. "Some people will have huge fears, and it is nice to see them get over them. This one time, this lady was freaking out, but I talked her into it, and she loved it so much that she bought a board from us on the first day."
By helping them to float out of their comfort zones, Mr. Drake and his team open people up to the hidden world off Seattle's coast. With snow-capped peaks in the distance, surfers can conquer waves and paddleboarders can float beneath bald eagles flying to their next college history lecture.