FITNESS
GAUTENG: FLAT WATER, FULL HEARTS Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg Who needs a coastline? SUPFit at Emmarentia Dam brings balance and calm to city dwellers. Its glassy water surrounded by trees, is home, too, to early-morning yoga-
FITNESS DISGUISED as leisure! STAND-UP PADDLE-BOARDING: A SPORT FOR EVERYONE, ACROSS FOUR PROVINCES!
When the country tips into summer, the light lingers and the water calls. Standup paddle-boarding( SUP) has quietly become the season’ s favourite mix of play, balance, and bragging rights. It’ s easy to learn, forgiving if you fall, and scenic enough to make even wobbling look good. Here’ s where to do it, this summer, and what to know before you haul a board onto the water.
KWAZULU-NATAL: SALT, SUN, AND AN EASY WAVE OR TWO
Addington and North Beach, Durban Durban’ s Golden Mile stays warm year-round, which makes it ideal for SUP. Xpression Durban runs lessons from Addington Beach, where the surf’ s easy enough for beginners. The Indian Ocean’ s warmth means no wetsuits, just sunscreen and nerve. Families often take early sessions before the crowds build, and teens can join full surf-SUP lessons later in the morning. Falling here feels less like failure, more like fun.
SUP classes and weekend beginners’ lessons. Parents can paddle beside kids or double up on one board for short laps. It’ s gentle, grounding, and oddly addictive once you’ ve mastered not spinning in circles. Think SUP parties, kids’ birthday parties, bachelor / ettes, etc.
EASTERN CAPE: THE QUIET CORNERS Morgan Bay and East London Rivers The Wild Coast and the Nahoon River near East London offer SUP on estuaries framed by cliffs and mangroves. It’ s less commercial; often you’ ll launch from the Morgan Bay Hotel or a guesthouse jetty, or borrow a board from a surf school, but that’ s part of the charm. The water’ s warm, the backdrop is untamed – just perfect for a peaceful paddle.
WESTERN CAPE: WHERE SUP TRULY FOUND ITS STRIDE
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town The V & A’ s quiet waterways let beginners learn without wind or waves, with Table Mountain as their backdrop. SUP Cape Town runs short lessons and rentals yearround, and instructors promise you’ ll be standing within 15 minutes( they’ re mostly right). The water’ s cold, so mornings and a light wetsuit work best. It’ s great for families too; kids can ride along on a parent’ s board, though everyone wears a life jacket.
68 | SUMMER 2025 / 26 • rovesa. co. za