Rainbow Watersports, Haleiwa

Standup paddling may still feel like a new trend, but the people behind Rainbow Watersports has been at it for the better part of a decade. In fact, they wrote the book on it—literally—releasing a published volume on the sport. During private and group lessons, they teach newbies how to master the boards, assuring them that they'll be able to stand up and paddle before the lesson is up.

These lessons have achieved a near-perfect rating on TripAdvisor for their scenic jaunts through sea-turtle country. They take place in calm water on the North Shore of Oahu.