Hannah Law

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Or maybe a new way to get that body that looks like Thor’s?!

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)  is one of the new fitness crazes to hit our shores. The likes of Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Garner have been paddleboarding for years so there could just be some credibility (or fun) behind it.

I headed down to Vaucluse Bay one morning to try SUP out and, after my short arms eventually managed to carry the b board to the water, was surprised by how easy I found it. My friend Courtney and I had a quick trial on our knees before managing to stand up and paddle. We had a few death wobbles at the start, especially when we got too cocky & confident,  but we were quickly paddling out of the bay to the headlands.

It’s a little bit like surfing but the board is wider and longer than most surfboards which makes them much easier to balance on. Apparently SUP originated in Hawaii and was actually an ancient form of surfing. We gave our cores a great work-out and got a bit of a tan (skin cells in trauma, I know) at the same time because it was such a stunning Sydney day. What was even better was that we could check out the Vaucluse real estate on the waterfront up close! And we may have even had a daydream about which house we would own … one day

It was a really relaxing but decent work-out. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-rush, try surfing or skydiving! But if you’re keen for an enjoyable way to work your core, thighs and arms and have over a couple of hours spare, then check out SUP.

Cost: About $40 for a 1.5hr lesson. Look out for a discount from one of the Daily Deals sites though.

Where can you try it? There are great SUP teachers at Rose Bay, Vaucluse, Manly and Sans Souci. You can probably rent boards from lots of other places as well.

Notice my instructor has earplugs in?!

Skydiving was incredible. I didn’t end up being too scared on the day; in fact, I was  more nervous before the Cole Classic ocean swim the next day!

The plane was pretty tiny – there was room for about 10 of us. What really made the plane journey was the stunning view of Wollongong beach which eventually became a tiny speck when we got to 14,000 ft.

There was no time wasting when we got to the right altitude. I was second to jump and I was more excited than nervous! That first moment when you realise you’re not supported by anything, that realisation of the freefall is indescribable. If I become a millionaire, I’m taking up skydiving as my sport just so I can feel that rush every day.

My instructor said I just giggled the whole time during the free fall

I think I’m going to become a sky diving addict. I’ve even considered doing a course so I can get qualified to jump by myself. But I don’t think I trust myself enough to jump out of a plane with nothing but myself responsible for my life!

So, for now, I’m going to stick with the skydiving with an instructor. Anyone up for coming with me again?! 

Here are some of the photos – they are stills from a video I got so they’re a bit grainy but you get the idea!!

I’m getting back into the exercise (and the blogging) for 2011. Last weekend I headed out to Penrith for a session of white water rafting with a bunch of Poms!

We made the hour long trek out to Penrith hungover, with only a slight detour(ssh!), and kept ourselves entertained by spotting the Fire Museum and giant Sewerage Plant – two great Australian icons.

Upon arrival in the middle of nowhere, we signed the consent forms but not after having a mild attack at the words “risk of permanent injury & death”. Keen to get into the water (to shake those hangovers!) we kitted up with helmets, life jackets and paddles to receive our briefing. Our group had 10 people but we split into two: 4 in an unguided raft (brave … or crazy!) and the rest of us in a guided raft.

And we were off… up the pulley that took us to the top of the man-made rafting course, that was originally built for canoeing in the Sydney Olympics. With paddles at the ready we went head-on through the first rapid – throwing our weight to the left and then paddling furiously to the right to make sure we all stayed (relatively) dry. Still smiling, we had a moment’s break before the next massive rapid hit us and the raft behind bumped into us. Paddling furiously we tried to beat them but failed miserably. We all survived round one without being thrown into that ferocious man-made rapid that is grade 3 – apparently the highest commercial grade allowed! After telling the instructor we thought round one was pretty tame, he replied with “famous last words”. And he was right. It all went downstream (sorry, couldn’t resist) after with arms, legs and helmets being thrown haphazardly around, bums going overboard and paddles in the eye (that looked painful).

The chaos, also known as rafting, continued for about an hour and a half with a quick break for ‘raft surfing’ which was definitely the highlight!

It was a bit on the pricey side ($89) but perfect for adrenaline-junkies and thrill-seekers.

A big thanks to Dorota for organising!