Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Today I had an hour and a half lesson to learn how to stand up paddle board.  Gavin and Lisa treated me for Mother’s Day and I will treasure the memories as it is something I have wanted to do for a long time and the warm waters of Western Australia were perfect.  We went to Peppermint Grove on The Swan River and the conditions were nice and calm and perfect place for beginners.  There were six of us in the beginners taster session, three of us complete novices.

Shannon, our instructor was very good and extremely calm and patient and determined we would all stand up on the board.  It is not as easy as just paddling as there is a lot more to it and we learned techniques of paddling, falling off the board like a starfish, something I was good at and getting back on the board.  We got used to the boards and the water by lying down to start, then kneeling and paddling and final goal to stand up.  Was a bit off putting to see quite a few jellyfish in the water, brown and white ones, apparently the brown don’t sting but the white ones do, luckily none of us got stung.

As I had been on my hands and knees yesterday helping clean Gavin’s house ready for his inspection before he handed keys back, my knees got quite sore but I am pleased I didn’t give up.  Shannon suggested I change to a wider more stable board as I was having problems standing and to be honest my legs were like jelly and I was exhausted.  The wider board was much easier and I finally managed to get up and stay on.  Richard did several videos but the one where I finally managed to stay on for more than a few seconds is too long for here. Photos are not in the correct order.

Waiting to start

Getting to grips with kneeling and paddling

Finally finished

Going… the one time I fell the wrong way and Gavin snaps it!

Group at the end


Love this shot

First time on the board

Afterwards we went back to Fremantle and had brunch at Bistro 21 on South Beach.  My legs were wobbly for a couple of hours but after a snooze on the beach and a refreshing swim I felt better.  Both Richard and Gavin said I did well, so I will leave it there.

We came back to change and shower and Gavin called to suggest we go for a drink along South Terrace, a few minutes walk from here.  He got an Uber round and we walked to a trendy bar called Percy Flint and had a pleasant hour together in the beer garden.  We had our final BBQ and just as the steaks had cooked, the gas ran out, good timing as tomorrow we are eating out.

It has been a really great day and Gavin has gone home after making me do more stretches to ease my aches and pains.







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