SUP is super fun and everyone should give it a try but there are a couple things you should know beforehand to make it an enjoyable first experience.

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What is SUP?

SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle-board and originated in Hawaii with big wave surfers like Laird Hamilton. The sport has grown for over 10 years now and people are falling in love on lakes, rivers, stream, pools, and oceans worldwide!

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Will I be able to SUP?

Yes! It is kind of like learning to ride a bike, you will get it and be fine!

We welcome people of all fitness levels to try SUP, but we ask that participants:

• All students must be able to swim.

• Students need to be 10 years old for group classes (or register with a parent/guardian in a private class)

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How do I sign up?

A full listing of class times can be found here. You need to sign the waiver and pay on our system, pick your class, and register in the same transaction.

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How much does it cost?

A full listing of our rates can be found on our here.

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Where do we meet? How do I get there?

We meet in the park at the green benches closest to 88 Hubbard; nearest intersection is Hubbard Blvd & Maclean Ave - Kew-Balmy Beach. We also have an older white Volvo station wagon you can often see from the boardwalk, on Hubbard, sometimes with boards on top.Check link below. 

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Directions for Hubbard & Maclean (Kew Balmy Beach):

Check out the location here : Google Maps Link

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Are there change rooms? Are there bathrooms? Can I lock stuff up?

There are change rooms and bathrooms located past Kew-Balmy Beach Club, along the boardwalk; they are almost a 10-minute walk away. Please take this into consideration and be early for your class time. We do not have change rooms or bathrooms where we are meeting you, however, we can lock up small personal items for you. There is plenty of places to lock up bikes too. We suggest leaving anything truly valuable (jewelry, laptops/cameras/ipads, etc) at home. We're at the beach after-all.

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How should I dress?

Yoga clothes, wetsuits, & swimwear are all appropriate. Wear what you will feel the most comfortable in if you are wet. Shorts, tank top, and maybe a windbreaker will work too.

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• June: the water is still quite cold. You can wear a wetsuit or just shorts and a windbreaker. Wear what you think you'd want to wear. We are not trying to get you wet, quite the opposite. 

• July & August: It’s summer! Come in your bathing suit or yoga clothes.. Whatever you are comfortable in. Just remember you will probably get a bit wet sitting on the board at least.

• September: the water is getting colder. You can wear a wetsuit or just the neoprene booties on your feet. Specialized clothing is also an option.

 

What should I bring with me?

Please bring your cell phone in case you are running behind or lost. A change of clothes and towel in case you get wet. Sunglasses are not permitted in Beginner classes but hats are. If you need your glasses to see, please bring something that will keep them on your face if you fall in the water. Bring some drinking water and some natural sunblock or maybe even a windbreaker if you get a bit cold easily. 

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How will I get my photos after?

We will air-drop or share photos after the class or email the photos to you, using the email address used for booking the class within 24-hours.

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What if my class was cancelled?

Due to weather and water conditions, we may need to cancel a class up to 2-hours prior to the start of class, in which case you will be credited and can reschedule the class. We want you to have the best possible experience – it’s not fun or safe to learn in high winds and choppy waters. Sometimes these conditions exist even if it’s sunny and warm out. We take safety seriously.

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What if I need to cancel or reschedule a class?

If you need to cancel a class, you can do so in the system on your own, with a minimum of 8-hours notice. If you need to reschedule after a cancelled class please contact us with your chosen class time for us to enter you in the system.

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What if I have my own SUP board? 

We offer discounts for people with their own boards on the sup refresher classes (BYO-Board class). However, we do have over 15 different boards for you to try and keep up to date with the newest boards. You will be able to advance more quickly if you try lots of different ones!

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Can I book a lesson for my own group? 

We love getting groups of people together that already know each other for team building, bachelorettes, birthdays, or other special occasion fun. Email us for group pricing – info@supgirlz.com 

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Can I bring my child?

Private lessons for you and your child (under 100lbs) to learn together can be booked under a 1hr private class.

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Are dudes welcome?

Of course, everyone is welcome to SUP with us. We are a LGQBT+ safe space for everyone.

 

Are lifejackets provided?

We provide Personal Flotation Devices or PFDs - these are not the same as lifejackets but are intended to be inflated when needed, they do not inflate automatically. We ask that all participants know how to swim & children should wear their own lifejacket that fits them correctly; please bring one if they're not confident swimmers. We have some lifejackets for dogs, with limited sizes; if booking a dog class we suggest bringing your own pet life-vest as an option if ours don't fit them.

Questions or concerns about this? Send us an email and we'll discuss.

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Can I learn to surf too?

Yes! We love to teach surfing! We can determine your level and get you started with a SUP Basics class. The path of progression starts with a SUP basics class then a flat0water SUP surf class. Come check them out and make the step towards surfing the Great Lakes. It is a great community here and so fun.