Central Coast Paddling – Morro Bay, CA
Phone (805)395-0410
1215 Embarcadero
Morro Bay, CA 93442
slosup@gmail.com
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Two years ago our family took a fantastic vacation to Roatan, an island in the Bay Island chain off the coast of Honduras in South America. We rented a beautiful private home on the beach in West Bay and had dozens of great activities right outside our door. One activity that I tried there for the first time was Stand Up Paddling — and I fell in love. I made a pact with myself that I would try it here … and I quickly found the great folks at Central Coast Stand Up Paddling based in Morro Bay.
Fast forward a year and a half later, and life, uncooperative weather last Summer and a busy 2012 in Real Estate prevented me from getting out on the water … so I vowed to make it happen this year. WOW What was I waiting for??!! This summer the weather has been perfect on the Central Coast and I’ve been lucky enough to have a weekend or two free. So we called the great folks at Central Coast SUP to rent a paddle board and a tandem kayak for my hubby and son.
After enjoying the morning walking around the Embarcadero in Morro Bay and eating a yummy lunch at The Galley we checked in with Forest and Savannah for our 12:30 rental. They were friendly and enthusiastic, setting us up within minutes. We were impressed by the small things — like adjustments to the height of the paddle to fit my 5’4″ frame and the fact that the kayak was equipped with peddles as well as paddles — so the boys could alternate between feet and arm power. We were fitted with comfortable fanny-pack style flotation devices (much more comfortable than a full vest) and with just the right amount of instruction we were off on our Morro Harbor and Estuary adventure!
I absolutely love the freedom of SUP as it is referred to by those experienced Paddlers… allowing me to skim along the sand spit exploring the edges and the wildlife above and below the water. We had three large white pelicans for company, many diving cormorants and even a large grey harbor seal who was just as interested in us as we were in him. Sailboats, kayaks, harbor cruises and paddlers all shared the water amiably and we waved at those on the water and on shore as we coasted by.
To our surprise, when we made the loop down to the Inn at Morro Bay and back to the Central Coast SUP shop near the Stacks we had been out for 90 minutes but we were given no grief. I felt as though they were just glad we had enjoyed ourselves — and that is an understatement! We can’t wait to return for more SUP and Kayak exploration. And stay tuned for a review of that yummy lunch at The Galley!