Learn SUP in Marina del Rey: Sea Lions & Wildlife from Your Board

Learn to paddle standing up while sea lions swim past your board

A 90-minute stand-up paddleboard class in Marina del Rey combines expert instruction with a guided wildlife tour through LA's largest marina. You'll learn SUP fundamentals on the sand at Mother's Beach, then paddle into the water to encounter California sea lions, brown pelicans, great blue herons and cormorants while your guide shares marine ecosystem insights. No experience required. Suitable for ages 14 and up.

The experience

You start on the sand at Mother's Beach, one of the calmest launch points in Los Angeles, where your instructor Tim Sanford teaches you the fundamentals of stand-up paddleboarding before you ever touch the water. Within minutes of paddling out, you're standing and moving with confidence. The 90-minute window splits between instruction and exploration: the early morning session at 8:30 AM offers the flattest water, ideal if you're new to paddling or bringing family. The 10:30 AM slot brings a gentle sea breeze and a more active paddle.

Once on the water, you explore Marina del Rey's hidden waterways and wildlife habitats. California sea lions show up on nearly every tour, often within feet of your board. You'll also paddle past brown pelicans, great blue herons, cormorants, and occasionally dolphins. Your guide explains local ecosystem patterns and marine behavior as you move through the marina. This is instruction woven into the experience, not a separate lesson. Paddle Method has been running this program since 2010 and is the only ASI-accredited SUP school in the Marina del Rey area.

The class includes a water safety briefing, a premium SUP board fitted to your height, an adjustable carbon fiber paddle, a leash, and a lifevest or rescue belt. You leave knowing how to paddleboard and having watched wildlife from inches away, a skill and a memory that outlast the morning.

What’s included

• Expert paddleboard instruction and water safety briefing.
• wildlife guide and marine ecosystem education.
• premium SUP board, adjustable carbon fiber paddle, leash, and lifevest or rescue belt.
• photos available upon request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 75 years) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Child (14 to 15 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Paddle Method

Is this one for you?Mother's Beach is accessible by public transit, so you don't need a car to reach the launch point. The morning sessions fill quickly, so book ahead if you're staying nearby and want to fit paddling into a single morning before exploring the rest of LA.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years); Child (14 to 15 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the water like at Mother's Beach when I'm learning?

Mother's Beach is one of the calmest launch points in Los Angeles, which is why the instructor teaches the fundamentals on the sand first. The 8:30 AM session offers the flattest water conditions, ideal for first-timers and families. The 10:30 AM session brings a gentle sea breeze and slightly more active paddling.

Will I actually see sea lions, or is that just marketing?

California sea lions show up on nearly every tour in Marina del Rey, often within feet of your board. You'll also encounter brown pelicans, great blue herons, cormorants, and occasionally dolphins as you paddle through the marina's wildlife habitats.

Do I need to know how to swim or have paddleboard experience?

No experience is required. The instructor teaches you the fundamentals on the sand before you paddle, and comfort swimming is preferred since it's a water-based activity. The class is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and children are welcome from age 14.

How long is the actual paddling part versus instruction?

The 90-minute experience combines expert paddleboard instruction with guided exploration of the marina. You'll learn the basics on the sand, then paddle out to explore the waterways and wildlife habitats while your guide shares insights about the local ecosystem and marine behavior.

Who's teaching this, and what's their background?

Tim Sanford leads the class. He's an ASI-accredited SUP instructor with 15 years of experience and has guided over 1,000 students. Paddle Method is the only ASI-accredited SUP school in the Marina del Rey area and has been running since 2010.