What’s SUP in Sonoma County?

 Whether paddling on the river, doing yoga or catching waves on the ocean, a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) can be meditative, calming, core-strengthening, balance-building and most of all, fun!

A SUP is also a great way to explore the beautiful nature Sonoma County has to offer and gives a different perspective to the area.

There is a wide variety of SUP offerings in Sonoma County, from lessons to private group excursions or simply renting a board to explore on your own. Here are the best SUP facilitators in Sonoma Wine Country:

Rubicon Adventures

Rubicon Adventures is the oldest SUP tour provider in Sonoma County, and now offers everything from a beginners tour on the Russian River, to clinics on ocean paddling for the experienced paddler. Just imagine catching waves on your SUP!

For the fauna-lover, there’s a 2-hour Pinnipeds and Seabird Russian River tour from September to November. This tour starts at the Jenner boating ramp and explores the Russian River estuary, which is one of the largest concentrations of marine mammals and seabirds in North America.

How about some SUP yoga? Rubicon Adventures also offers SUP yoga classes on the Russian River throughout the summer.

The company can also be hired for private events and groups.

SUP Yoga with The Yoga Post, in Collaboration with The Floathouse

Yoga on a SUP enhances a workout, builds balance and strength, and increases your focus and concentration. Add beautiful surroundings and the tranquility of floating on the water, and you are in for a great time. Starting in June and continuing through fall, Yoga Post teacher Lacey Shelton teaches SUP yoga on the Petaluma River in collaboration with The Floathouse every Saturday at 10.30 a.m.

SUPs can be rented from The Floathouse.

Bodega Bay Surf Shack/Bodega Bay Kayak

The Bodega Bay Surf Shack offers SUP rental for Bodega Bay, the local estuaries, Salmon Creek and lower Russian River.

For a unique experience, the experienced paddler can try the open ocean as well, but be aware; this is surf territory and there are serious waves.

Rentals include a board, paddle, wetsuit, booties and a 10-minute instructional lesson.

SUP Odyssey

Open during summer and located at the Schoolhouse Canyon Campground in Guerneville, SUP Odyssey offers board rental and self-guided tours down the Russian River (two to four hours) with pick-up. The gentle stream of the Russian River and the beautiful redwood forrest surrounding it makes for a perfect SUP adventure.  SUP Odyssey also offers private beginner lessons on the river.

Petaluma SUP, Petaluma Marina

The Petaluma River has 12 miles of tidal wetlands to explore and goes all the way to historic downtown. For paddle-boarding, the river provides the perfect mix of beautiful nature and a downtown scene, with several cute shops and restaurants at your fingertips.

With Petaluma SUP, you can rent a board hourly, daily, for the weekend or weekly. A 10-minute instructional lesson is included with the rental. You can take a self-guided trip to Lakeville Landing; enjoy views of Olompali State Park and the largest continuous wetland estuary on the West Coast.

Petaluma SUP also offers guided and unguided family trips to both Lakeville Landing and the downtown turn basin.

Clavey Paddlesports, Petaluma

For the independent paddler who justs want to rent a board and get out and explore everything the county has to offer, Clavey Paddlesports offers board rentals for 4 hours, a full day, the weekend or weekly.

Time to get out there and enjoy the sun and the water!