Posted: Fri, 4 Aug 2017 10:10 AM - 27,932 Readers

By: Madeline Hollern

If you’re going to be outside this time of year, you need to be on the water. Our recommendation? Test your balance, get some exercise, and explore lakes and rivers while stand-up paddleboarding. Central Texas has plenty of activities for paddleboarders, from yoga sessions to group tours to nighttime excursions. When you go, dress comfy in a swimsuit or athletic wear, and don’t forget the sunscreen. Here are five options to get your SUP on.

Socialize

Add a little exercise and adventure to your usual happy hour routine with Austin Paddle Sports’ Sup ‘N’ Sip. Assemble a group of eight to 20 people for a 90- to 120-minute sunset paddleboard excursion on Lake Austin, followed by food and drink specials on the Hula Hut deck. Classes require reservations and are $40 per person.

Glow

Get a whole new paddling perspective with Paddle SMTX’s incandescent SUP Glow Night Tours on the San Marcos River. Using paddleboards with special waterproof LED lighting in seven available colors, participants can enjoy rare views of the river and its wildlife under the night sky. Tours are available most Wednesday through Sunday nights. $30 per person, or $200 for eight people.

Listen

Once a month through September, the Texas Rowing Center hosts Latino Moonlight Serenades, during which guests can rent stand-up paddleboards (or kayaks or canoes) and paddle to a quiet part of Lady Bird Lake to hear live Latino serenade–inspired music by local musicians. Attendees are welcome to bring snacks or nonalcoholic drinks. The next two sessions are Aug. 4 and Sept. 8. $12 per person.

Stretch

Work on your strength and serenity as you practice yoga on a board during Breath and Body Yoga’s Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga classes. Participants paddle about a half mile from the Texas Rowing Center to the Lamar Boulevard bridge, then engage in a 45-minute yoga session followed by 10 minutes of play time and 10 minutes of savasana (“corpse pose”) before rowing back to the center. Classes are Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. $40.

Learn

New to paddleboarding? Rowing Dock is a great place to start. Located off the west side of Zilker Park, the company offers hourly paddleboard rentals every day from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m, and the helpful staff will get you comfortable with using the board. Folks not ready for full-on stand-up paddleboarding can kneel or sit down while they row. Prices start at $15 per hour per person.

*  Story Contributed by: Madeline Hollern