What’s SUP this summer in Takapuna?

Learning to stand up on a paddleboard is not just a fun activity for summer, but a source of empowerment in life as well.

GirlsGetOutThere NZ is a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) club for women on Auckland’s North Shore.

Founder Sarah-Jane ‘‘SJ’’ Cansdale said that, while the group is primarily teaching women how to use a paddleboard, her business ethos is focussed on getting girls together and instilling them with confidence.

When life took a bad turn for Cansdale a few years ago, she turned to paddleboarding for both serenity and confidence.

‘‘I felt such a connection with the water and it really helped my life at the time,’’ Cansdale said.

From that point onwards, Cansdale has spent her time sharing and teaching the knowledge with women.

‘‘I just love seeing girls SUP for the first time. It comes with a big grin when women get that feeling that only a paddler knows.’’

The Takapuna-based classes attract women of all ages from late 20s to 60s, catering to all fitness levels with different options.

Alongside basic introductory lessons, Cansdale also provides SUP fitness and SUP stretch yoga.

Safety on the water is Cansdale’s first priority and she says that most people don’t realise it isn’t as straightforward as it looks.

‘‘It’s not as easy as, jump on a board and head off. I want girls to get out there safely,’’ she said.

‘‘I just felt such a connection with the water and it just really helped my life at the time’’ Sarah-Jane "SJ" Cansdale

A range of options is available after initial training.

Paddlefit Girls is a small group of women who have progressed passed the safety stage, and enjoy more intense and distance paddling.

Over winter, the Paddlefit Girls do a lot of road trips, spanning from the Coromandel to the Bay of Islands and as far as Rarotonga.

Usually there is wine, cheese or coffee involved in some way, Cansdale says.

At $40 for an introductory lesson, classes are very affordable.

‘‘I want everyone to be able to afford to benefit from this connection with nature,’’ she said.

GirlsGetOutThere NZ is a NZ Surfing approved SUP school and Cansdale is a fully certified PaddleFit Coach and ISA/NZSUP qualified SUP instructor.

Visit girlsgetouttherenz.net.nz.

SARAH-JANE CANSDALE Classes are not just about paddling, but also increasing confidence and building confidence.