I've rented SUP boards from here several times and always had a good experience. Trudie is helpful and friendly, making sure I get the right kind of board and advising me on the conditions. I would just say I haven't tried the lessons or kayak rentals from SUP Shack so I can't comment on those. read more

I have a few pieces of advice for people who are considering renting a paddle board and going to the Santa Cruz Harbor. The yelp page says "The Santa Cruz Harbor location is the best place to get on the water to learn stand up paddle board." I have paddle boarded a few times, and I know the basics. However, my experience with the harbor is that it is not friendly for beginners, or even somewhat experienced paddlers, let alone complete novices. I've paddle boarded a few times. When I went here, I have complimentary access, and a person was assigned to go with me on another board. That was a good idea. However, I did not have prior knowledge of the Santa Cruz harbor where we were going, and so went into the session unaware of many big pieces of information that I felt were important. I was not given any knowledge of what to expect with paddle boarding in the harbor - how to deal with various obstacles, what route I would be taking, and so was taking live direction from the owner along with my companion for about 5 minutes, and later was following the companion. I was given some small amount of instruction about the basics of paddle boarding - I had paddle boarded before, but did not know many skills, and then was sent on my way in a narrow harbor with docks and boats on each side, and boats coming and going through the harbor. I believe the harbor itself requires at least an intermediate level of paddle boarding skills - muscle power, techniques, stamina, and knowledge of best practices with encountering boats, at minimum. I learned this in real time, and it was very challenging. Also, staying straight in the harbor requires constant paddling - it is relatively narrow, with boats on each side, and incoming and outgoing boats. At least the time that we went, we could not even take a break from paddling when going against the tide to return back. If we took a few seconds break, we risked drifting to the side and hitting a docked boat and falling off. At one point my companion took off, and I was struggling to do a mandatory U-turn to head back. I hit the harbor wall and fell off. Falling off happens, I understand, but it was a big challenge to get back on, I had to crawl on the bit of outcrop to do it. Later, I hit a docked boat and was knocked off. I was in the water, unable to get back onto my board - it requires an incredible amount of core muscle power (I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that it's nearly impossible). So I held onto the dock to try to crawl up. I felt a shock, twice - it turns out the dock's renter had put electrical wire on it to prevent sea lions from jumping into their boats. I was barely able to then muscle up and get back onto my board. Then, I found my companion and we were nearing the original spot, when a big boat was coming towards us. When you're on a paddle board, boats do not move for you, at least from what I saw. Our instinct was to go to the big dock, then the boat driver yelled out they were docking, at the spot we were trying to go to. So after some stressful, fast, strong, paddling we were able to get out of the way. I share this because I want to show the reality of paddle boarding in this area. It can be incredibly strenuous, and at times stressful. If you decide to use this rental business, at the very least ask the owner what exactly you can expect (because it wasn't disclosed). You need to be an intermediate or higher paddleboarding. I am a decent, sufficient paddle boarder, but this area is quite high level and should be strictly only open to higher levels. In conclusion, I don't recommend paddle boarding as a beginner or learning to paddle board in the Santa Cruz Harbor. This area appears to require a lot of experience. read more

Had a great paddle around the SC harbor with a friend this morning. Trudy the owner is great lady, super friendly, and even opened a little early for us. We were also happy to help a local business, particularly with the Murray St bridge closure. Afterward, we had coffee at Java Junction. A great June morning! read more

Trutty is an exceptional trainer, brimming with knowledge. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. It was a wise investment of both time and money, and we're definitely planning to return. read more

Dishonest and Unprofessional - Avoid This Place I rented kayaks here with my girlfriend using a Groupon that vaguely said "kayak rental for two" with no clear time limit. It was our first time kayaking and we were just trying to have a good time, but when we got back (about 90 minutes later), the owner, Trudie and her aggressive employee ambushed us with an extra $50 charge for supposedly going over their "one-hour limit," which was never clearly communicated. I should've known this place was shady when Trudie asked for a tip before the service, holding the POS iPad and waiting for me to say an amount she could enter herself. It was awkward and pushy--I reluctantly said $5 because what was I supposed to do, tell her no while she stared at me? Their employee originally told us, "You have about an hour or so," which was super casual and vague--nothing about a strict time limit. When we returned, suddenly he was claiming it was "one hour, give or take 10 minutes," which makes absolutely no sense; what does that even mean, 50, 60 or 70 minutes!?!?! Nobody talks like that unless they're scrambling to save face in front of their boss. It was obvious he made it up on the spot to cover himself. What made it even more infuriating was hearing the employee lie to my face while condescendingly saying, "Hey buddy, I said one hour, give or take 10 minutes". The attitude, the dishonesty, and the fake "policy" were a perfect storm of unprofessionalism. On top of that, Trudie knows most people don't bring their phones or watches out on the water, especially first-timers like us. We had no way to accurately tell time out there, and it feels like she counts on that to trap people into being "late" so she can tack on extra charges. When I pushed back, Trudie, her employee, and a random bystander--who seemed to be her personal friend--ganged up on me, trying to intimidate me into paying the surprise fee. The whole situation felt like a setup. I even saw Trudie earlier trying to overcharge tourists for paddleboard training they didn't need. On top of all this, the harbor was packed with over 100 boats constantly coming in and out to park, causing delays and creating a chaotic situation that made it genuinely hard to get back on time--especially as we battled the wind and current on the way back. Trudie didn't care about any of that; she was just focused on squeezing out more money. It really feels like Trudie targets tourists and Groupon users to tack on hidden fees. She clearly resents people using Groupons and will find any excuse to charge you more. I mean, if you don't like giving deals through Groupon, then don't even offer them! Even if you're just a minute over, they'll round it up to the next full hour and hit you with a $50 charge--with ZERO upfront warning. There are much better options nearby like Monterey Bay Kayaks or Kayak Connection--they offer clear expectations, honest pricing, and actually know how to run a customer-centered business. Oh ya, almost forgot to mention that there weren't any kind of demonstration or instructions offered like there were when I recently visited Monterey Bay Kayaks so they obviously don't care about your experience or your safety. Avoid The SUP Shack at all costs. I've been in customer service management for over 10 years, and this was honestly one of the worst, most unprofessional experiences I've ever had. read more

I had a Friday "wellness day" from work and decided to head up to Santa Cruz for the day. Went to the SUP Shack on Friday, which was great because it was super quiet, but I had a great time. Saw a Sea Lion just hanging and couple harbor seals deep in the harbor. Local business run by Trudie, she's so helpful and kind. Will definitely be back! read more

We went here last weekend to do SUP for the first time. It being a holiday weekend, they seemed quite busy but that did not make it feel as though we did not get our monies worth. With a beginner lesson you are offered minor instruction. It left both my boyfriend & myself feeling confident enough to get out there & get going on the water. I ordered two wetsuits in anticipation of falling in but they were not needed. It seemed a bit confusing & unorganized upon our arrival but everything smoothed out. I even stood up on the board & found it to be easier, (my bf never got up). I would definitely go back here again for a longer putting although the timing for this was honestly just perfect for a beginner. (Insider tip: notice upon takeoff & over by the bridge all the thousands of shimmery sardines in the water!) read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Trudie and team are fantastic, every time I'm here in Santa Cruz I have a great time kayaking. You will too

My 11yo is doing the SUP summer camp and is having an *amazing* time. Trudie is very sweet and has been super helpful with the registration, sign up, my questions and is really great at making the kiddos (and parents) comfortable and excited about their adventure! read more

Needed some fresh air, a change of scenery, and a safe socially distant activity after 100+ days of sheltering in place for COVID19. Wanted to paddle board but didn't want to lug a heavy board. SUP Shack was perfect! Super easy to book online (required right now) -- and we were able to get our board an hour later. Staff were friendly and helpful, you sign everything including waiver online (works on phone), don't have to touch anything. They sanitize everything including the paddle board, which is already down by the water in the harbor, so you don't have to carry it. My 10yo daughter and I shared one big board and enjoyed an hour of easy and peaceful paddling in harbor. Even saw a harbor seal! Only slight hassle was packed parking lot (Sat afternoon). read more

My cousin, my son, and I, had never been stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding. We wanted to learn because it looked so fun. We booked the beginner introduction class, led by Trudie, and had our lesson on 07/31/2020. We had an awesome time! We arrived a bit early for our 9am start time but better early than late! Trudie was very welcoming, very knowledgeable and kind. She's very approachable and has a lot of experience to share. She taught us the basics and led us on a round of the harbor, where in addition to safety skills, we learned how to propel forward, stop, turn, stand up (and get back to knees if needed), and how to follow the rules of the harbor. I really believe that this was the best lesson (led by someone with years of experience) to choose for absolute beginners. We can all swim, but the added knowledge we gained in this experience with Trudie was awesome. I was thrown off balance by the waves after a passing boat and fell off the board backwards, into the water. According to my son and my cousin, they were listening for a splash in case any of us fell in (they were ahead of me), but heard nothing. Trudie was always on alert to everyone's positions around her and zoomed right over while I was getting back out of the water and onto my board. While I did expect to get wet in this adventure, the added practice of an unexpected plunge and getting back onto the board without tipping over, is invaluable experience gained. After our lesson was up, we had an additional 30 minutes to go for another round of the harbor on our own. It was fun and we employed all the skills she taught us, returned successfully back to the dock and finished up our excursion. We had so much fun! Trudie and her staff seemed to be managing well with the COVID19 situation - they sanitize the boards after each use and space out their appointments to keep everyone socially distanced. They require masks and they let you know up front (website and on site) what to expect. We saw them wash the wetsuits and gear with soap, after each item is returned after use. Some of our family members expressed interest in a stand up paddle boarding outing, after they heard how much fun we had and we are planning to go again soon. read more

They are fantastic. Love renting paddleboards with Trudy and cruising through the Santa Cruz Harbor

This is so much fun!!! Just rent a board online and Trudy will have your board all ready for you to go explore. The harbor is beautiful, I usually see seals and last time I saw seagulls with a baby in the nest. The harbor is safe to paddle board and I started out renting a wet suit too in case I fell in. I started with personal lessons with Trudy and they really helped me out. I have done SUP yoga a couple times, it was a great class, the people were so friendly! I highly recommend trying this when you are in Santa Cruz. It's a Covid friendly activity. I have to say that the owner Trudy makes this place run so smooth and really takes each board experience seriously. read more

Went to Sup Shack to buy a football (so I could throw around on the beach with my little brother) and a hoodie. The football was 20 dollars and the hoodie was 30. The lady who runs the place double charged me for 2 footballs. I checked my receipt because the total was more then I expected and saw that she had charged me for 2 footballs. No more then 20-30 minutes after buying the items from her shack I went back and asked if I could get a refund for the extra football. She told me "I could have sworn you had 2 footballs in your hand" and "it's your word against mine" and said she couldn't give me a refund on the item she charged me twice for. I don't understand why I would need 2 footballs in the first place for a beach day with my family of 5. All in all just a scummy way to handle her business and I would not recommend going to her shop. She seems keen on looking for ways to make an extra buck here and there off unsuspecting customers. read more

Sup Shack - The receipt - Paddleboarding Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Literally just got into Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and SUP Shack made our experience really enjoyable. The waters were calm, and the weather was beautiful. The lady helping us was very friendly and made sure we started off safely, and she made us feel very comfortable. This is a hobby, and an outdoor exercise that I could truly get into. It's right next to Crow's Nest, so afterward, we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers, and continued to enjoy the amazing view. read more

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The worse customer service I ever experienced- pet owners and customers please beware. Trudy who runs the "shack" clearly does not appreciate any business she gets from Groupon. Trudy asked me to help her, and pay her directly the next time I decide to rent a paddle board, (as she requested) her words were "oh don't pay Groupon next time just pay me they take so much money from me" out of complete generosity, I did offer to pay directly. To my surprise when I explained to Trudy that I have a Student discount on Groupon and would pay $14 she got extremely upset and said, "your beginning to upset me, so what your saying is you want to pay $10 to use my boards is it?" She asked that I pay her more than what I would be paying on Groupon?? I replied as a student obviously trying to get through college just trying to enjoy a day on the water that's how much I can pay on Groupon but if she'd prefer not accept my money I can just pay it through Groupon to which she replied, "well that wouldn't help me either would it?"... I explained I was careful, not abusing or taking elongated times on the rentals the time before I used the board for 45 minutes. Yeah I'd say $14 is fair for 45 mins... oh also it's important to mention I PAID AN ADDITIONAL $5 for my dog which I provided a life jacket for so really she over charged me there freely and openly.. that was an added fee for no reason but she still charged me for taking my dog.. so it's not as if I am being unfair or over using the board for a long period of time.. she agreed and did apologize but still was visibly not happy.. That being said I was so excited when I arrived (stoked actually!) I was quite shocked at her customer service skills during the transaction. Although I am glad I eventually was able to get on the water I enjoyed my time getting a loop in the harbor. I only share this review so customers can beware and be prepared of Trudy and her uncanny attitude towards groupons, it was ridiculous. If you don't want your company on Groupon then don't post it on there- you as a company have complete control of that. read more

Best rentals service by the ocean located in a nice lively area. They are attentive and pay attention to the details providing convenient access to the beach (no need to carry the equipment!) and nice backpacks with life vests, etc. I love the team more than that! read more

Sup Shack - Paddleboarding Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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We had a great time exoring the harbor. Very kind and accommodating owner. We will be back.

We absolutely LOVED renting from SUP Shack. The ladies are AMAZING! They are friendly, knowledgeable, and have all you need for a great day on the water. When you're in need for water items, SUP Shack is the place to go. Thanks for giving us such wonderful memories. read more

With TravelZoo vouchers in hand, my three friends and I made the 1.5-hr drive from SF down to Santa Cruz to experience paddleboarding for the very first time. It was fun--if a little nerve-wracking--for a clumsy person like myself who sometimes has trouble balancing on even ground while stone-cold sober. Let me be clear: Standing on the board wasn't actually difficult and probably wouldn't warrant a second thought from 99% of the population, but I am a little bit of a klutz and nearly psyched myself out into falling over twice. (If you think that's bad, you should see me attempt to downhill ski. On second thought--No. Don't. I want you to keep your innocence.) Our instructor Chase was a friendly, easy-going surfer boy with lots of paddleboarding experience. He's the type of "water guy" that you just know was a dolphin in a past life. Speaking of marine life, one of the highlights of our 2-hr tour was being approached by sea lions, who swam right up to our boards and bobbed along with us hoping for food. They were so cute! I was initially a little worried they would accidentally tip our boards over, but I guess they know better. Sweet little sea lions! Trudie, the owner, is a British woman who sounds like she should be serving tea at Buckingham Palace, not running a surf shack. She has the most adorable little Australian shepherd that's just dying to shower you with affection when you return to shore. Sup Shack is a great choice for paddleboarding because the boards and paddles are already provided for you (they're tied to the pier), there are plenty of parts in the surrounding beach to choose from depending on weather conditions (e.g. If it's cold or windy, you'll probably paddle in the enclosed harbor, if it's calm and sunny, you'll probably paddle out in the ocean, etc.) and Santa Cruz is just an awesome place to go for the day. read more

My first time paddle boarding and the Sup Shack made it great! We headed out to Santa Cruz with the intent to paddle board but didn't do any research and ended up at the Sup Shack. There is a main parking area (paid parking , inexpensive) and the Sup shack is literally a little cute building in the parking lot, you can't miss it. The parking lot was full when we got there at 11am, but we got lucky as someone was leaving and a spot opened up. Since we were all beginners, we bought the package that was $20 for an hour plus an extra $10 for the lesson. They gave us a short (5-10 min) lesson on a practice board and then they escorted us down to the dock. The owner helped us get on our boards and guided us from the dock on what direction we needed to go. It was a little scary at first because I didn't feel balanced, so I spent most of my time kneeling, but about half way down the channel, I paddled over to a dock to balance myself and I made it upright and stayed that way for the rest of the time! We saw sea lions in the water and taking naps on the docks which was fun to see. The owner was great and asked us how it was and wanted to make sure we enjoyed our time. I will definitely be back! read more

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Very happy with the service. The equipment is nice and they have a few relevant and affordable items for sale. My son and I enjoyed our hour paddling in the Harbor. read more

A small shop in an out of the way location. They have a targeted selection of tri accessories. The shop is *small* so they don't cover the full range (from running shoes to bikes and bikewear), but they do have an ok selection of the necessities. They are knowledgable and helpful. If you know what you want, they can certainly help. If you want a bit more selection, you might want to consider other places. read more

Great looking kayaks - clean, new and all. Easy to book online. And overall paddling is a really fun activity when visiting Santa Cruz. But more info from the person renting kayaks would have been helpful - we were asking where to go qhen paddling and the response was pretty much - "hm, marina and back?". A bit more enthusiasm would have been a nice start of the trip rather then "here are your kayaks, see ya" read more

SUP Diva Trudie is a wonderful human and she offers lessons, Stand Up Paddleboards, along with Kayaks, Skim boards, and boogie boards. Reserve online or email Trudie if you're looking to buy a board. You won't be disappointed! read more

Amazing experience. Conveniently located. Excellent service. Knowledgeable and provided good recommendation. Highly recommend!!

My husband and I decided to swing by SUP Shack in Santa Cruz about one hour before they closed and we're so glad we did! They squeezed us in and we had the best experience. We had a private training and got to explore the cove as the sun was setting. I'm not the most athletic person and this was definitely my first time. I would strongly recommend you give this a try! I only "fell" once, but the paddle board is so large I was able to catch myself without falling into the water. We did a couple of laps up and down the cove and saw a wild otter eating his crab dinner! It was a blast and SUP Shack took great care of us. read more

Sup Shack - Paddleboarding Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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The waters were calm, and the weather was beautiful in the harbor. The staffs were very friendly and made sure we started off safely, they made us feel very comfortable. Check out our video for more information on this place -- https://youtu.be/-tkE6shSdbM read more

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I have been paddling at the SUP Shack consistently for about 6 months now! I have fallen in love with paddleboarding and I'm so happy that Trudie chose to share her passion with the Santa Cruz community. She's an excellent teacher and great with beginners. It's really been a lifesaver to have a safe, outdoor experience during this pandemic. It's helped not only my physical health, but my mental health as well. I highly recommend the SUP Shack for an awesome time out on the water. Thank you so much Trudie!! read more

Sup Shack - Paddleboarding Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Terrible customer service. I asked to rent a kayak and I was told that I could only kayak in the harbor with the boats. I asked if I could go somewhere nicer and I was told no, the water is too rough. I asked a second time if there any chance I could explore somewhere else and again I was told no. The person who was running things had me pull the kayak down the road for her to the water, while she walked ahead. It was a good sized kayak with wheels and heavy to drag. The kayaking itself was dismal. It was like kayaking in a parking lot. Afterwards it took several hours for me to get over the dizziness and sore throat from the gas fumes. When I came back, the manager asked how it was and I told her that it was unpleasant and that I wished I was allow to go somewhere better. She then said that I could have gone and explore the area around the lighthouse if I wanted to. I told her that I had asked twice and she said it wasn't safe. She yelled that she would never say that. The whole experience was unprofessional and unpleasant. I strongly recommend renting from somewhere else. read more

This is my favorite place to rent a stand up paddle board. The boards are stable, the owner is nice and service-oriented, and her helper is super helpful. The tour down through the harbor, and back, takes about an hour and you'll likely see seals and otters and some shore birds. I've rented boards about 8 times, and this is one of the best experiences I've had. It's also really safe if you are a beginner. Add this to any Santa Cruz area trip, or head down for the day and check out the SUP Shack. read more

We booked online and rented boogie boards for the kiddos for a day at the beach. We had already paid and signed waivers online so picking up the boards was a breeze. This location is in a pay per hour parking lot and right next to the beach. It was convenient to park our car for the day, pick up the boards, and walk to the beach. There are a few small shops before you hit the beach if you are looking for a bite to eat or forgot your sunscreen. Public restrooms are also located in this same parking lot but no showers are available. My only complaint is that the attendant checking out boards and confirming reservations was pretty snippy with customers. It was a a busy holiday weekend I'm sure, but I was a little nervous approaching her after the way I saw her talking to people. read more

Great little shack to get stuff you either do not always need or forgot. Very friendly and convenient. My nephews from NJ rented boogie boards for the day and had a blast. read more

This is a cute rental shack that has helpful staff! We did the mini lesson paddle board groupon option and it was a great bang for the buck! Niki gave us brief instruction and led us to the dock and after we were on the water. I was surprised at how easy it was! Great place if you're looking for a paddling experience in santa cruz read more

We had a great experience renting both SUPs and a kayak. Our introductory lesson was quick and to the point so that we could be on our way. They were patient with my 12 year old daughter that was struggling to pick up the paddling. I would rent from them again. read more

We purchased a Groupon for this place, and my better half was super excited to try stand up paddle boarding (SUP). So, she called and setup a lesson with the owner, Trudy. I wish we had a better experience. We received next to no instruction, and the owner was very rude. She made several comments to the tone of "you guys just don't seem like water people" or "this doesn't seem like your thing" when in fact, everyone in my household is a "water person" except me, and I didn't say or do anything to her, to earn those comments. She didn't give us much of a lesson, more like a crash course. Rather than being patient, she was rude, and persistent, and she did not really give anyone any encouragement when it came to learning to SUP. She acted like our group was an inconvenience to her, I wonder if she felt that way when she cashed all those checks from Groupon? I'd spend my money elsewhere if you want to learn to SUP. read more

This is a hard review for me to write, but I can't seem to shake the experience. I have been a faithful customer for a couple of years now and my last visit was very much a disappointment. In the winter (2012), SUP Shack had a buy one get one free Gift Certificate promotion through Facebook. Being that I love to SUP, I took advantage and purchased 2 GC which comes out to 4 total. I ended up moving, and emailed asking if there was an expiration on the GC's. The email response I got verbatim; "No worries just book your time to come SUPn it will always be valid." I had paid for these GC's well in advance. Fast forward to a few days ago, I was in town and took my friend SUP'ing . I had made a reservation a few days before that. It had been only a couple of months since I had last SUP'd and my friend longer still. Upon arriving, Trudy informed me that the promo was only for the winter months, but she will let it slide this time. Like a past reviewer also mentioned, I also felt like she was trying to get more money out of us. Even though we made a reservation, apparently there were no more Softboard Suppah Slippah boards that were covered under the GC's and we were told we would have to pay MORE money for the bigger boards. My friend and I did not need a lesson yet she gave one to us anyway, informing my friend that she would have to pay $15 more for her 10 minute tutorial after we finished SUPing. Getting out on the water, there was a guide who was very nice, guiding a family. We just happened to be out there floating along with all of them. Coming back in, my friend tried to pay for her "mini lesson" and the owner, busy with her contractors had us wait. After about 10 minutes of waiting she acknowledged us and told us not to worry about the instruction fee, but just to tip the guide. I don't mind tipping, but tipping is at the discretion of the customer. Not to mention, we never asked for a guide. Owning a small business is courageous yet challenging. I certainly can appreciate what business owners go through on a daily basis. At the end of the day, we all want to be out of the red, but perhaps there is a more dignified way of going about it. Posting a price list so there is no awkwardness in regards to fees and perhaps a tip jar would certainly help. I am all about supporting the mom and pop businesses. In fact, I encourage it. But there is a reason why I love them so. Fantastic customer service & that customer attention you won't find at a bigger corporation. Sadly, this is not the experience to gain from the SUP Shack. I was a faithful customer due to the convenience of launching right at the harbor, but I will now switch my business over to Covewater. They are awesome and there is never a question of fees and such. read more

I purchased a groupon for (2) 2 hour SUP rental. My husband I and were super excited to try SUP for the first time. We live over the hill in San Jose so I called ahead to schedule an appointment. I spoke to Trudie and she said she was not near her appointment calendar and she asked me if she could text me later when she had her calendar in front of her, just to make sure the time and date we wanted was available. I agreed and she texted me a few hours later to confirm my 2 rentals for the date and time we wanted. My husband and I drove over the hill super excited to SUP for the first time even got up there a half hour early. The time of our appointment came and and went and no one showed up. We waited a good amount of time and I finally texted Trudie. She responded with "sorry to have missed you we are closed today..there should have been a sing saying we are closed! My bad I should have message you. Please contact Groupon for your refund if you like. Regards Trudie" It would have been nice to get some kind of message so we did not waste gas/time driving over the hill for nothing. read more

I got two Groupons for SUP Shack for myself and my 9 year old son. First off, let me start by saying in the last 2.5 years, I have had several foot/knee injuries, including a broken foot, and as a result, my sense of balance has gotten totally screwed up. I was a little worried that I'd be doing more swimming, than SUPing, but I was excited to try SUPing because it looked like so much fun (and my husband is a surfer and competitive open water swimmer - so I thought this would be a nice skill for me to accompany him with). Second, make sure when you go, you map the address for the Crow's Nest! It didn't happen for me, but Trudie said that a lot GPS directions are completely off because the SUP Shack is *literally* a little shack (kiosk) in the parking lot of the Crow's Nest. I'm not sure where it lands people, but looking at Google maps, it looks like it sends you to the top of the harbor instead of the mouth. So I called up the SUP Shack to make an appointment, and Trudie was very nice. She said that beginner lessons were at 10am (it also states that on the website). Having lived in Santa Cruz for many years, and being around the ocean often, I knew that the water is usually calmest in the morning, so this made perfect sense. She put us on the books for 10am on a Monday morning. My son and I headed to Santa Cruz (we live over The Hill) for our adventure. When we got there, we rented wetsuits ($10 each, which Trudie also informed me of on the phone) because I was sure I'd fall in. There were only 4 of us in the class (max class size is 6). Trudie and Jay (a pro-SUP racer from the UK) gave us instruction about how to get on the boards, how to stand up, how to paddle, which direction to use the paddle in, how to get back on in the event we fell off, etc, then we walked down the boat ramp and got on the boards. We started on our knees to get used to the feel of the boards, practice paddling and turning - once we got the hang of that, we stood up and off we went! Trudie stayed with us during the whole lesson and gave pointers if we were paddling incorrectly. She took a bunch of photos of us as we were paddling, and had everyone line up under the bridge so she could get a nice picture of all us under the bridge. We went to the top of the harbor (the closed end), turned around and came back (about a mile in all). I'm happy to say I didn't fall off (and neither did my son, but I knew he wouldn't)! Trudie even posted the photos on Facebook so we could tag ourselves (or download the pics) and have photographic proof of not falling in. :) I had so much fun, I took my husband back that Saturday and rented two boards and SUPed around. I can officially say that I'm hooked and am buying my own board from Trudie as well! Now I'm going over The Hill 2-3 times a week so that I can SUP. Sadly, Jay is going back to the UK, so he won't be there anymore. My son is also totally hooked and is excited that we'll be adding a SUP to our "quiver". I would definitely recommend going to the SUP Shack learning an awesome new sport! read more

A free stand up board lesson. Not super easy to access but affordable fun and makes you want to enjoy the sport. Nice imformed people and very beach fun atmosphere! We shall return!! read more