Bayside is an excellent location to try it out. The calm waters near Brighton Beach provide a stable environment for beginners, and there are several local businesses where you can rent equipment or take a beginner’s class.

For the more experienced paddleboarders, the coastline offers excellent opportunities to explore. You can paddle out to enjoy the unique views of the Melbourne skyline or venture along the coast to nearby Elwood.

Here are some popular spots for paddleboarding in and around Brighton:

• Brighton Beach. Brighton Beach is perhaps the most popular location for paddleboarding in the area. With its calm waters and beautiful views of bathing boxes and the Melbourne skyline, it’s an excellent spot for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders.
• Sandringham Harbour. Located just a bit southeast of Brighton, Sandringham Harbour offers another calm water environment ideal for paddleboarding. The harbor is generally protected from strong winds and currents, making it a safer choice for those new to the sport.
• Half Moon Bay. A little further south, Half Moon Bay is another spot that offers calmer waters, especially when the winds are coming from the north or northwest. The bay’s natural shape provides a good deal of protection from waves and wind, making it easier to paddle.
• Elwood Beach. Located to the north of Brighton, Elwood Beach offers another good paddleboarding location. While perhaps not as protected as Brighton Beach or Sandringham Harbour, it’s still a viable spot for paddleboarding, especially on days when the wind and waves are mild.
• Ricketts Point. Further south near Beaumaris, Ricketts Point offers a larger area for paddleboarding and is particularly good when you’re looking to combine your paddleboarding adventure with some marine wildlife spotting, thanks to the nearby Marine Sanctuary.

Paddleboard rentals around Bayside 

Several businesses in the Brighton and Bayside areas offer paddleboard rentals, and some even offer lessons for those new to the sport. Often, you’ll find rental services right on the beach, especially during the summer months, allowing you to get straight into the water without the need for transportation.

• Offshore Surf School at Sandypoint    SUP lesson and tour is designed to give the individual a fun and relaxing experience while gaining some new skills. You’ll be amazed at the different perspective you get while paddling along the pristine waters of Shallow Inlet in an upright position. We can confidently say that you’ll be up and paddle before you know it. Useful information will be given regarding local tidal movements and the beach. It’s great for your core fitness.
• Elwood Stand Up  Paddle   Join in and see why Stand Up Paddle  is one of the fastest growing water sports.
• Brighton Baths Health Club As the weather heats up, our boardwalk and sea baths become a sanctuary from the heat and crowded public beaches. You can very easily make a day of it – swing by the café next door or use the qr codes for food service on the beach, rent a kayak or stand up paddle board, or enjoy a cheeky nap under the boardwalk or beach umbrellas. Casual visitors are welcome year-round during our normal operating hours. A Casual Day Pass includes access to Victoria’s only private beach and boardwalk, iconic sea baths, full-service change rooms inclusive of shower facilities, and the option to rent a towel or locker.  To make a Kayak / Stand Up Paddle Board reservation or to enquire about casual rates. click on our link.
• SHQ Board Sports   Unlike traditional surfing, stand up paddle boarders stand on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. At SHQ we stock the largest range of brands and products, but we don’t just stop at SUP boards, also selling paddles, wetsuits and leashes. Whether the SUP board is just for you or for the entire family to use, our experienced rider staff can help you make the right selection to suit your needs.

Before you head out, always remember to check the weather conditions, and if you’re new to paddleboarding, you might find it useful to start with a lesson or guided tour.

Whether you’re a seasoned paddleboarder or a beginner looking to try it out, Brighton and its surrounding Bayside areas offer a range of locations to enjoy this increasingly popular water sport.

For more information speak out our post on Life saving and sailing clubs in Bayside 

History of Paddle boarding

Paddleboarding has a rich and varied history that traces its roots back to multiple cultures and spans many decades. Here’s a brief overview of the evolution of this popular water sport:

Ancient Origins

The concept of standing on a floating platform and propelling oneself with a long stick or paddle dates back thousands of years. Ancient cultures across the world, from South America to Africa, had variations of paddleboarding for fishing, transportation, and even warfare.

Polynesian Heritage

One of the most direct antecedents of modern paddleboarding can be found in Polynesian culture. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is often linked to the surfing traditions of Hawaii, where native Hawaiians would stand on their longboards and use outrigger paddles to move about, either for fishing, transportation, or wave riding.

Waikiki Beachboys

In the 20th century, the beachboys of Waikiki, notably figures like Duke Kahanamoku and John Zapotocky, were known to paddle their longboards while standing up, both as a way to keep an eye on their surf students and to ride the waves themselves. This style laid the foundation for modern SUP.

Modern Revival

The sport experienced a revival in the early 2000s, particularly in Hawaii, when well-known surfers like Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama started promoting stand-up paddleboarding as both a new form of wave riding and a way to train when the waves were flat.

Expansion and Diversification

Since then, the sport has exploded in popularity around the world. It has diversified into various disciplines, including:

• Flatwater Paddling: Ideal for lakes, slow rivers, and calm ocean conditions, this form is great for beginners.
• SUP Surfing: This involves riding ocean waves in a similar fashion to traditional surfing, but with a paddle.
• Touring: Longer boards are used for covering greater distances and often involve multi-day trips.
• Racing: This competitive form takes place in various water conditions and involves speed and technique.
• Yoga and Fitness: SUP yoga and fitness classes are now offered, combining the challenge of balancing on a board with the benefits of a physical workout.
• Whitewater SUP: More adventurous paddleboarders have even taken to river rapids, similar to whitewater kayaking.

Equipment Evolution

The equipment has also evolved significantly, with boards becoming more specialized for different types of water conditions and activities. Early boards were often modified surfboards, but today’s equipment includes inflatable boards, racing boards, and boards designed specifically for stability or maneuverability.

Paddleboarding has come a long way from its ancient and Polynesian roots to become a global sport enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Its versatility and the minimal equipment needed have contributed to its widespread popularity, making it one of the fastest-growing water sports worldwide.