Paddleboarding

SUP, or 'Stand Up Paddling' is an offshoot of surfing and is a relatively new water sport that originates in Hawaii. The aim is to stand up and paddle on a paddleboard that is essentially an oversized surfboard. Whether you have already tried this sport - or have never heard of it before - SUP is a great activity to enjoy on Koh Samui. The water is warm and calm, and there are many sheltered beaches where you can learn or improve your SUP techniques. There are a few good downwind routes that can be safely paddled in favourable conditions, and you may even come across the occasional small wave or two that can be surfed. Board rental prices are around 300B per hour or 1000B for the day, and lessons that cater for beginners and practitioners who wish to hone their skills, are around 1000B per hour. Here are three good outfits that offer SUP lessons. Samui Paddleboard can deliver a board to wherever you are staying on the island. Naish SUP Samui (Chaweng Beach) Address: Chaweng Beach, outside OP Bungalows SUP Journey (Chaweng Beach) Tel: +66 869477233 Website: www.sup-journey.com Address: Chaweng Beach in front of Mini Bar Samui Paddleboard (Lamai & Lipa Noi Beaches) Email: contact@samui-paddleboard.com Website: www.samui-paddleboard.com Address: Lamai Beach (near Zara Beach Resort) on the east coast, Lipa Noi Beach (Lipa Lovely Beach Resort) on the west coast.