Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking in Istria
If you’re looking for a wonderful vacation filled with exquisite sights, refreshing marine air, and adventurous activities the Istrian peninsula is just the place for you.
Whether you used to surf the high waves but feel that it just might be a little much for you now or simply wish to experience one of the fastest growing board sports in the world, you should definitely try stand-up paddleboarding. This outdoor water sports activity draws its root from Africa, South America, and the ancient Polynesian culture. The size of a stand-up paddleboard ranges between 270 to 390 cm. The paddle has three components – the handle, the shaft, and the blade, and is between 15 to 30 cm long.
Energetic and explorative adventure
Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP for short, can be enjoyed in flat oceans, surf zones, lakes, rivers, canals, inland waterways, and even in large swimming pools. It’s a tremendous alternative for older surfers who have never given up on catching and riding waves and an enjoyable new vacation activity for beginners.
You, the rider, stand up on a large board and use a paddle to move through the water. The advent of inflatable stand-up paddleboards provides you with the opportunity to carry your paddleboard around in a backpack. SUP is often used by yoga, pilates, fishing, and swimming enthusiasts to perform specific training. Although SUP is mainly a recreational activity, there are also several competitions taking place all over the world.
Paddle by yourself or bring friends
While being a great full-body core workout and way to experience the beauty of the outdoors, it is perfect for people of all ages, body types, and skill levels. There’s even enough room to paddle with a dog, friend, child, or significant other. It is no wonder paddleboarding has continued to grow in popularity over the years because it gives you the freedom to explore the beautiful waters of the Istrian peninsula.
Kayaking
The warm Adriatic Sea with its low tides is the perfect place for you to take your kayak to places where sailing boats don’t even dream of daring. With a kayak, you can go very near the rocks and to the thin line between the sea and land. With the ability to choose a single sit-in, double sit-in, or sitting on top of the kayak, you can begin to explore sea caves, islands, shallow reefs, and the cliffs. Most production sea kayaks are between 12 and 24 feet (360 to 730 cm) in length, the larger kayaks often built for two (or in rare cases, three) paddlers. The width (beam) of typical kayaks varies from 18 to 32 inches (45 to 80 cm).
Explore and have fun
The kayak enables you to take a peek at the hidden places of the coast, visit hidden coves, and see the coast of Istria from the sea. With its light frame and watertight covering, the kayak lets you get into hidden places that cannot be reached by boat. You can combine kayaking with scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, or ecotourism.
You’ll be able to discover the world under the sea and explore the maritime wonders you would not be able to see without a kayak to take you there. A wide kayak rental network makes the renting of kayaks possible at every 10 to 15 km of the coast. That means you can travel the entire coast of Istria in a kayak in only several days by paddling only a couple of hours a day. A difficult feat for some, but a boon for the adventurers among us.
Safety fist
Other than the kayak and the paddle that goes with the type of kayak you have chosen, you need to make sure you always have all the necessary gear and equipment with you, particularly if you’re on your own. This equipment includes a life jacket or life preserver, a bilge pump to remove bilge water, a sprayskirt that fits both you and the kayak to keep the water out of the kayak, and a helmet. You might also benefit from a headlamp (with extra batteries) for exploring dark caves, a signaling whistle if you get into trouble and a dry bag for personal items.