On & Beyond the Surfboard

Summer is the best time to go outside and get active in the water. You’ll get your heart rate pumping and melt away those extra calories without even knowing it. 

What are you looking for in your next vacation? I’m sure we’d all love some sunshine, palm-fringed beaches, warm turquoise lagoons, and relaxing by the pool sipping cocktails. But how about blustery wind conditions? Only a select few will appreciate this ingredient. 

Have you been wanting to take a stab at kitesurfing, or maybe take your practice to the next level, without having to travel far? Enter Spain and its famous wind-swept beaches, which attract beginners and pros kiters alike.

Some of us wait for those perfect summer days all year long and when they finally arrive, it seems as though they pass by too quickly. 

Picture this: flat-water lagoons, medium-sized waves, consistent wind during summer, and a vibrant nightlife, all set against a drop-dead gorgeous backdrop. That’s kitesurfing in Portugal for you!

Before throwing yourself into the water, it’s important to know what the weather conditions and wind directions are. This is a basic rule every kiter should know. 

Very few things in life come close to the sheer freedom experienced when harnessing the power of the wind, skimming across the glittering water, and being lifted high up into the air. 

Are you looking for some eye candy the next time you paddle your board? Do stunning backdrops, snow-capped mountains, mangrove forests, alpine lakes, lagoons, emerald-green rivers, and tropical beaches tickle your fancy? Then you’re in luck, because the world’s stand-up paddle boarding hotspots have them all!

If you are a fan of stand up paddling, then you probably know that you can paddle almost anywhere there is water. From the surf beaches of Hawaii and Australia to the fjords of Norway, almost nothing is out of bounds.

Thailand is well-known for its beautiful nature, white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and friendly locals. But did you know Thailand also has some amazing kitesurfing spots? 

I am always amazed at how the best things happen when you least expect them. As I was laying on the beach in Alanya, on the southern coast of Turkey, with the salty Mediterranean breeze soothing my soul, who would have thought that in two days I would be flying up in the air, having a once-in-a-lifetime experience I would never forget?

When asked what the best religion is, the Dalai Lama replied: “The best religion is what brings you closest to God.” Does that mean that you can find spirituality in anything, even in riding ghastly waves and fighting for the next move on narrow mountain ridges? I believe that, as long as you do it for the right reasons, yes, you can.  

Stand-up paddling, or SUP, is the fastest growing watersport in the world. It’s fun, easy enough for beginners and challenging enough for intermediate and advanced surfers. It provides a great entire body workout and it can be done pretty much anywhere from lakes to oceans.