SANTA CRUZ GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Stand‑Up Paddleboarding the Monterey Bay: Private Lessons That Put You on the Water with a Local Instructor
A private, instructor‑led SUP lesson in Santa Cruz that teaches balance, paddling and ocean awareness while you glide over the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.
Stand‑Up Paddleboarding the Monterey Bay: Private Lessons That Put You on the Water with a Local Instructor.
On the glassy edge of Monterey Bay, Private SUP Lessons with a staff instructor introduce paddlers to the hybrid of surfing and paddling that is stand‑up paddleboarding. These lessons combine hands‑on skill drills, ocean awareness and a local instructor’s knowledge of the Santa Cruz coastline to teach balance, strokes and safe on‑water practice.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Glide over the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary
Lessons take place on the waters of Monterey Bay, offering a vantage for coastline scenery and marine life while students learn to paddle and maneuver their boards.
Local guidance from a Santa Cruz‑born instructor
Richard’s local knowledge of the coastline informs route choices and ocean awareness instruction, ensuring the session is both safe and tuned to the area’s conditions.
From stance and strokes to falling and recovery
The private format covers equipment familiarization, proper stance and balance, effective paddle strokes and turning techniques, plus falling/recovery methods and respect for the marine environment.
What the day feels like
What the lesson feels like
The lesson unfolds as a focused, hands‑on progression: an introduction to equipment and attire, guided practice of balance and stroke mechanics in sheltered water, then guided paddling that lets you experience gliding over the ocean while your instructor emphasizes safety, hazards and local etiquette.
THE SANCTUARY
Glide over the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary
Lessons take place on the waters of Monterey Bay, offering a vantage for coastline scenery and marine life while students learn to paddle and maneuver their boards.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Local guidance from a Santa Cruz‑born instructor
Richard’s local knowledge of the coastline informs route choices and ocean awareness instruction, ensuring the session is both safe and tuned to the area’s conditions.
THE SKILLS
From stance and strokes to falling and recovery
The private format covers equipment familiarization, proper stance and balance, effective paddle strokes and turning techniques, plus falling/recovery methods and respect for the marine environment.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from a private SUP lesson
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring proper attire for ocean paddling; lessons include familiarization with equipment and guidance on choosing the right board and paddle so you’ll be comfortable and safe on the water.
The class covers equipment use and proper attire to safely and comfortably pursue SUP, and instructors will demonstrate falling/recovery techniques and appropriate safety practices.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the lesson?
The listed duration is 2 hours.
What are the pricing options?
Pricing is published as: 1 hour - $150; 1.5 hour - $225; 2 hour - $300.
When are lessons available?
Lessons are available seven days a week with a 10:00 a.m. start time.
Do I need prior SUP or surf experience?
No prior experience is necessary; the lesson teaches fundamentals including stance, paddle strokes and ocean awareness.
What will I learn in a private lesson?
You’ll become familiar with SUP equipment and proper attire, learn effective paddling skills, balance and positioning, turning techniques and falling/recovery methods, with an introduction to ocean awareness and respecting the marine environment.
Who runs the lessons?
The lessons are operated by Richard Schmidt Surf School, Inc., led by an instructor with deep local knowledge of the Santa Cruz coastline.