The stand up paddle tour has no contraindications and offers one of the most fantastic scenes in Rio on a platter
It was almost 5 in the morning when I got out of the Uber on the Copacabana seafront, right in front of the statue of Carlos Drummond de Andrade. I thought the beach was deserted (and scary), but instead I came across a very lively beach, even though it was still night. There were already dozens, on the pavements, on the sand and in the sea, of athletes practicing all types of sports: running, canoeing, cycling, swimming and, to a greater extent, stand up paddle or simply SUP.
Some stalls offer a trip to watch the sunrise on the board at the beginning of Copacabana, where the waves are calmer and the sea is more suitable for practicing SUP, a sport that consists of paddling standing on a board similar to surfing. I booked the tour with Garritano SUP, recommended by a friend, but there are other tents offering the tour along the same stretch.
Before getting on the board
The tour takes place every day, always starting at 5 in the morning. It’s all super organised: the afternoon before, the team adds all the participants of the appointment to a WhatsApp group, where important information such as time, meeting point and some safety tips are provided. Everything well explained. So I was calm when I arrived at the neon pink tent and was greeted by the instructors.
Inside the tent there are several luggage compartments, closed with zippers. You do not need to pay a separate fee to leave your belongings there, although you are advised not to bring any valuables with you. Garritano offers waterproof cell phone cases at no cost, which is wonderful. All I didn’t want was to become a perrengue chic meme by seeing my phone dive into the sea.
Everyone is ready and, subsequently, the instructors, very charismatic and helpful, gather the participants in a circle. We were about 40 people, coming from various corners of Brazil and the world. After a short presentation, the instructors give important safety instructions and teach how to stand on the board, the ideal way to hold the paddle and the best way to perform the movements.
For this reason the tour is ideal for beginners: knowing how to swim is not a requirement and several people in the group had never practiced stand up paddling before. There is a life jacket for everyone, but use is not mandatory, although highly recommended.
After presenting the basic recommendations and after a short warm-up, it’s time to grab the jackets and choose the boards. Instructors recommend the ideal board and paddle for each person, while larger and heavier ones are recommended for taller people. I, who am 1.60m tall, got a smaller one, which was great because it is lighter to paddle.
Everyone was in position, with board and paddle in the sand. Instructors take each board two at a time into the sea to help everyone get on the board and start paddling. I was one of the last, and when I entered, I could already see the outline of the beautiful shade of the sunrise.
At the sea
My expectation was that even though it was night, the sea water would freeze. I did all the psychological preparation, but I was surprised in the best way when I put my feet in the water: it was cold and very bearable. Soon I got on the board and had no more contact with the water. Having done stand up paddleboarding a few times before, the climb was uneventful, but I saw several people having drinks on nearby boards, which is very normal.
Even so, standing is a challenge, especially when there’s a breeze. The instructors keep an eye on you and give you some tips to help you maintain balance, such as keeping your knees bent and lifting your torso in one go. But for those who simply want to enjoy the breeze, they can sit on the board and paddle calmly.
We row until we reach the open sea: after a certain point the instructors tell us not to go any further, but everyone goes as far as their courage allows them. The day I took the tour, there was a gray fog on the horizon and I thought it would hinder visibility. But, almost timidly, the Sun slowly made its way through the fog, when it marked six hours and nine minutes. The scenery is fabulous, the kind that we also experience, but which we are unable to translate into photos.
What steals the show are the continuous flights of birds that fly across the sky in the middle of dawn. In the background, framing the landscape, the hills of Rio, like the Sugarloaf, they form the perfect frame. Looking back at the Copacabana waterfront with its charming buildings is also a sight to see.
Although they carry cell phones with them, the instructors also take some pictures and videos of the participants as a courtesy. This was really helpful to me, as I did the tour alone. There are also a few drones buzzing overhead during the tour. The photos are all added to a Drive and made available in the WhatsApp group after the tour.
At about 6:30 the instructors announced it was time to return. We headed back and gradually landed on the sand. Everyone on the ground, it’s time for the group photo and the final farewell. And only the refrain came into my mind: “Rio de Janeiro is still beautiful”.
Service
A Garritano SUP It’s located at the 5 gas station in Copacabana, right in front of the Carlos Drummond de Andrade statue (it’s actually the landmark I used as the destination for the car app). Tours run every day and you need to book in advance via WhatsApp.
Tours cost R$100 from Tuesday to Thursday and R$120 from Friday to Monday. The only form of payment accepted is Pix and the appointment is confirmed only after sending the proof. If it rains the tour will be cancelled.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
