Stand up and paddle

An ancient Hawaiian form of surfing is getting a fresh makeover from a new generation of surfers, and a business that says it plans to take the sport to the next level and beyond.

The Stand Up Paddle Co., now open at 1099 S. Coast Hwy., aims to inspire a movement toward living a more balanced and healthy lifestyle through the art of stand-up paddle-boarding.

Co-founded by local surfer Tommy Donnelly and personal trainer Noelle Kozak, the company offers daily lessons to “anyone, anywhere, any time” and also combines the sport with circuit training and yoga through its SUP Fitness Program classes.

“It’s really a great, fun way to stay fit,” Donnelly said. “There’s so much you can do with it, from intense competitive racing to a mellow paddle. It’s something that gets you in the water every day.”

Traditional lessons range from $35 an hour for a group lesson to $65 for one-on-one.

With 12 certified instructors on board, vehicles to transport the SUP gear that the company provides and a Newport Beach location, students can pick the time and place for the lesson.

Fitness courses are offered at 6:30 and 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, in addition to female-only Pastor Paddles at 9 a.m. Sundays. Circuit training includes 60 minutes of paddling, beach-based weight and resistance training circuits and then combining the two.

“It’s all designed to get you in shape and geared toward SUP,” Kozak said.

The 90-minute yoga session incorporates various types of yoga on both sand and sea.

Kozak said she altered her fitness regime to incorporate SUP a year ago, when she was introduced to the sport.

“It’s so addicting, and one of the best forms of cross-training,” she said. “It really helps you achieve a great physique.”

A Keiki Paddlers Camp will run July through September for kids ages 6 to 14, where they will learn to paddle, be educated about water safety and enjoy various physical activities on the beach.

Dedicated to environmental responsibility and giving back to the community, Donnelly said his team plans to hold trash clean-ups in the water, possibly in collaboration with other local efforts like ZeroTrash, where Stand Up Paddle Co. would supply the boards.

“The community of stand-up paddle-surfers has such an aloha-spirited, rad vibe,” he said. “Everyone really cares about their fellow community members, and this is just another thing that goes along with that.”

The company’s retail shop, geared toward outfitting paddle-boarders with all necessary equipment and apparel, carries all SUP needs from boards to bags to beanies to water bottles.

Exclusive to their store from other Laguna surf shops, Donnelly said, is the Lululemon and Zoot technical wear lines for men and women, and of course, SUP brand tees and hoodies.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (949) 715-4530 or visit www.supcompanyfitness.com.