What SUP? Stand up paddle boarding, a curious combination of surfing and kayaking, has been turning heads on all NY waterways. The sport may be old news to Hawaiians, where Hoe he’e nalu originated, but its recent arrival on the east coast has caused a wave of excitement. If you’re interested in trying this activity—also a great alternative to the gym—one place in the city is now offering a way to hang ten on the Hudson.
The first time atop a paddleboard might be unsettling, but once your sea legs kick in, you remember there are no sharks in the Hudson, and you find your center, paddle boarding is a seamlessly enjoyable experience. Paddle boards are ideal for skimming along on calm, flat water or surfing some friendly waves into shore. As inspiration, start training with SEA Paddle NYC for the 5th annual Surfers’ Environmental Alliance fundraiser to benefit SEA and Autism Awareness. The event is a 26.5-mile paddle around NYC and will take place on August 12.
New boards run a little expensive ($700-$3,000), so head over to New York Kayak Company, situated on Pier 40 on the Hudson River, for equipment rentals or a $25 two-hour beginner course on Wednesday evenings from 6pm.-8pm. You can enjoy the NY waterways without spending a boatload on gas or harming the aquatic eco-system. Before fall temperatures set in, ride out on the river for an after-work cruise and one truly unique way to connect with New York City.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram