THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Take your paddle boarding beyond standing still: this 1.5-hour clinic in San Diego focuses on footwork, paddle bracing, and playful drills to build balance and confidence. Perfect for paddlers who already stand and paddle and want to move around the board with control.
Take your paddle boarding beyond standing still: this 1.5-hour clinic in San Diego focuses on footwork, paddle bracing, and playful drills to build balance and confidence. Perfect for paddlers who already stand and paddle and want to move around the board with control.
Book with SUP Pups
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by SUP Pups · San Diego, California
On a calm morning in San Diego's sheltered bay, the What's SUP Skill Series: Footwork & Play clinic turns a short stretch of urban waterfront into a compact classroom for movement, balance, and water confidence. Located on the city’s coastal edge, this 1.5-hour clinic blends a brief on-land technique session with focused on-water drills, giving intermediate paddlers practical skills to walk their board, brace with the paddle, and move dynamically across the deck.
The scene is straightforward: gentle, protected water with easy launching from a sandy shore or low dock, low chop on most days, and frequent sightings of pelicans and curious sea lions fishing near the line. Instructors deliberately choose sheltered launch areas and calm bays so students can concentrate on footwork without fighting open-ocean swell. That combination of shelter and real-world conditions—wind, current, and passing boat wakes—makes the clinic both safe and relevant to everyday paddling in San Diego.
What makes this offering stand out locally is the coaching pedigree and the playful curriculum. Lead instructor Samantha brings more than 13 years of teaching experience and over 30 paddleboard races to each session, translating race-honed balance drills into approachable progressions for recreational paddlers. Sessions are capped at ten participants to keep coaching personal; every booking includes board rental (or BYO option for hard boards), a waist-belt PFD, leash, photos, and post-session snacks and refreshments.
The clinic is ideal for paddlers who already stand, paddle, and turn independently and want to expand mobility on the board—stepping forward and back, pivoting, and using the paddle as a stabilizing brace. Practical coaching, timed drills, and playful challenges accelerate learning without sacrificing safety: land-based technique work precedes water practice, and instructors coach recovery and fall techniques so paddlers gain confidence in case of a spill.
Logistics are clean and simple—arrive ten minutes early to check in, dress for getting wet, and expect a prompt start. Note the restriction: inflatable boards are not permitted for footwork modules; BYO participants must bring a hard board. Weather or wind may force reschedules for safety. For travelers staying in San Diego, the clinic is an efficient, high-value way to sharpen skills, meet fellow paddlers, and take home photos and video that show real progress rather than just a nice day on the water.
Price starts at $55 with rental included (or $50 for BYO hard-board ticket), and clinics typically run with a small group to maximize feedback. Sessions include photos, video clips, and light refreshments so you leave with evidence of your progress and a quick debrief. Whether you want to feel more secure touring San Diego Bay, try SUP yoga later, or race with better balance, this clinic delivers practical drills and plenty of encouragement.
Yes—this clinic is for paddlers who can already stand, paddle, and turn independently; it is not for first-time participants.
No—inflatable boards are not permitted for this clinic because the footwork and balance drills require a hard board platform.
Rental clinics include board, paddle, waist-belt PFD, leash, instruction, photos, videos, snacks, and refreshments as listed in the booking.
Sessions are capped at ten participants to ensure focused coaching and personalized feedback.
Sessions may be rescheduled for safety due to wind, swell, or hazardous conditions; check with the operator for updates.
Guests must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; participants should be comfortable in the water and able to swim.
SUP Pups is a San Diego-based paddle boarding company that specializes in dog-friendly stand up paddleboard (SUP) lessons, private coaching, and community events. Founded to bring dog lovers together on the water, SUP Pups runs group paddles and themed events—like Pups & Paradise and Bark, Boards & Babes—alongside structured lessons for every skill level. Lessons include beginner-friendly Paddle Board Basics and Inflatable SUP Lesson 101, private sessions tailored for partners and pups, and intermediate clinics such as Advance Technique & Speed and Footwork & Play. SUP CUB Kid Lessons introduce ages 6–17 to water safety and paddling fundamentals in a supportive environment. Many sessions include a 10-minute land demo, on-water safety instruction, and action photos to capture the experience. Events and locations are centered in San Diego, with regular activity at Liberty Station and Ocean Beach. SUP Pups offers both group events and one-on-one instruction—private packages include photo documentation and personalized coaching. Multiple experiences are explicitly dog-friendly and designed to help pets feel comfortable on the board. SUP Pups emphasizes safety, clear instruction, and community engagement. Seasonal and charity-focused events invite local paddlers and dog owners to connect while supporting neighborhood causes. All programming is delivered in third-person professional instruction format and is accompanied by on-water equipment guidance, including inflating and caring for inflatable SUPs. Whether booking a beginner lesson, an advanced clinic, a kids class, or a themed event, guests can expect structured teaching, fun dog-friendly moments, and memorable paddles across San Diego waters.
Book with SUP Pups