By: Jennifer Agress
Miami: A Paradise for Paddleboarding and Windsuring
In Miami, a city surrounded by bodies of water, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and windsurfing are popular pastimes. SUP is a watersport in which riders stand up on a large board, slightly thicker than a surfboard, and use a long paddle to gently move through the water. Windsurfing is a form of sailing in which a sail is attached to a board; the rider stands on the board and holds onto the sail, zipping across the water and catching air with the waves. In addition to being great exercise, SUP and windsurfing are perfect ways to see Miami’s beautiful scenery – especially on the calm waters of Biscayne Bay, where you can catch a glimpse of Miami Beach, downtown Miami and Brickell Key skylines while you glide past.
Want to try them for yourself? In Miami, there are lots of shops that rent stand-up paddleboards and windsurfing equipment to beginners and experts alike. Read below to find out the best places to get that equipment, get a lesson and, more important, where to go once you do.
Miami Beach Paddleboard
Located on the water in Sunset Harbor, Miami Beach Paddleboard has paddleboards available for rent. Experienced paddleboarders on staff will give you instruction if you need it, and you have the option of either going out on your own or joining a guided tour. For a unique experience, sign up for one of the nightly Sunset Neon Tours. For 90 minutes, this tour will take you on a guided paddle around Biscayne Bay at dusk on an LED-lit paddleboard that illuminates the water five feet below and 15 feet out from the board. Tours include a board, a leash, a life vest, a paddle and a brief safety overview by the tour guide. Miami Beach Paddleboard also has kayaks available for rent. 1701 Sunset Harbor Drive, Shop C-102, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami Watersports
Go windsurfing with Miami Watersports, which has two locations: one on the Rickenbacker Causeway and one in Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove. Here, you can choose from standard or performance boards, and go out on Biscayne Bay on your own or with a teacher. Rentals are available by the hour, half day or full day. While windsurfing is one of its most popular activities, Miami Watersports also offers parasailing, jet skiing, flyboard, tubing, paddleboarding and even sailing on Hobie Cats. 1 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 and 3400 Pan American Drive, Pier 9 (Slip 24), Miami, FL 3313
The Virginia Key Outdoor Center
The Virginia Key Outdoor Center, located on Virginia Key, offers plenty of ways for Miami residents and visitors to get out on the water, including a long list of paddleboarding activities. You can rent two types of boards, kids’ boards and standard boards, and beginners can get lessons. There is also paddleboard yoga, sunset and moonlit paddleboarding and even an opportunity to go out on a bioluminescent new-moon paddle, where you can glide across the water at night, while glow-in-the-dark plankton naturally illuminates it.
The Virginia Key Outdoor Center also rents out single and double kayaks, bicycles and water-safety equipment. 3801 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149
Paddleboarding Tips for Beginners
- Choose a wider and longer board, as they offer more stability.
- To stand up on the board, start on your knees and carefully push yourself up, one foot at a time.
- Once you balance yourself, use the paddle to propel your paddleboard across the surface of the water.
- Paddleboarders under 12 must wear a life vest. Those 12 and older need to keep one on board, but it’s a good idea to wear it, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer.