Walking on Water: Part 1

I’m at Hampton Beach State Park this week to show you something you might be surprised to find in New Hampshire. It’s one of the fastest growing and most popular water sports on the planet- stand up paddleboarding – and it’s right here in Hampton at the Cinnamon Rainbows surf shop. This ancient Hawaiian practice has been embraced by modern surfers as a new way to navigate coastal waters as well as inland lakes and rivers. It’s easy to learn, it’s a great core workout, and it’s lots of fun. Matt from Cinnamon Rainbows has graciously agreed to give my friend, Alex, and me a lesson.

I have shared with you some of my less graceful moments, but also a really neat way to explore an aquatic landscape. It really is like walking on water, at least, once you’re able to keep a foothold. And keeping a foothold will be invaluable, because for next week’s post I’m attending a paddleboard yoga class. That’s right. Yoga. On a paddleboard. Floating in the water.

So if you’re interested in learning how to paddleboard, check out Cinnamon Rainbows in Hampton, NH. They offer guided stand up paddleboard tours, and they even have free demos every Tuesday and Friday evening. And for next week join me for another paddleboarding video with Pancha Yoga!

Special thanks to Matt for his patience with two paddleboard-awkward students, and to Cinnamon Rainbows surf shop for donating the tours.

Jackie Raiford, New Hampshire State Parks Intern

I'm a graduate student working towards my Masters in Conservation Biology at Antioch University New England. My research interests include the conservation of urban green spaces for the physical and psychological health of communities. I lived for the first 24 years of my life in Rockville, Maryland just north of Washington D.C. I have traveled a little both domestically and abroad, and lived for six months in Australia. I also work as a dance and fitness instructor, and am certified by the American Council on Exercise.

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