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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Thankfully There Was No Tipsy Taco

by tacogirl 11/04/2015
written by tacogirl 11/04/2015
belize adventure tours

Belize Adventure Tours – Stand Up Paddle Boarding

For those of you that haven’t done it but are interested and want to know more, think of stand up paddle boarding (SUP) as a cross between kayaking and surfing, minus the big waves and a paddle.

Many people are daunted by this sport but really shouldn’t be, because anyone can do it. If you are reasonably steady on a bike or can walk a thin line, you can paddle board. A little balance and a great teacher to correct your form and you’ll be gliding across the water in no time. 

Mangrove Safari Tour

This tour is an excellent way for beginners to see how they like paddle boarding, and the boards at the sailing school are specifically geared towards easy learning. For expert level paddle boarders the location is tranquil and serene, and you can set your own pace and make it a more challenging work out. The tour leaves from Belize Sailing School at Caribbean Villas Hotel and takes place north inline with Grand Caribe Resort and Captain Morgans (we could see them in the distance) on the west lagoon.

As it turns out there were 3 of us on the tour that day, the others had tried it and I was a virgin. Being my first time, I was not apprehensive, I fully expected to be a tipsy tacogirl and was pleasantly surprised when that moment never came.

Kendall and the other girl taking the tour with us were upright and stable fast. With a few expert tips from our instructor Audrius, I graduated from kneeling to standing before long. He took us through mangrove channels and open lagoon areas, as we peacefully glided along Audrius coached us on our technique if he noticed we need it. Our surroundings were beautiful and being there in mid-afternoon, the lighting was perfect,the sun shining bright but not too hot.

After a special occasion work out, I like to enjoy a good snack, and since there’s usually a small number of people on Belize Sailing school tours, I often pack a potluck cooler to share. Melvin drives the boat slow while we socialize and share food. That particular day’s menu was cheese, fancy crackers, bacon, mixed nuts, chocolate brownies, zucchini bread, mini plums and watermelon.

I would definitely do this again, as I commit to be in “fit” mode. I think it’s fun to vary up workouts by different things occasionally. Plus it’s it’s always fun to get out on the water and enjoy nature.

For more details on the mangrove safari tour and the coupon code to save money on paddle boarding, contact me at tacogirlbelize@gmail.com

Correct Paddle Boarding Technique and Benefits

Stand up paddle boarding is a full body workout that can give you trim and toned arms, strong shoulders and core, and also works the stabilizing muscles in your legs.

Balance is key and so is learning to hold the paddle correctly, and to have it at the right length for your height.

Proper SUP stance will help you maximize your work out. Straighten your arms, bend your knees, twist your core and engage your back are the things to remember. Use your whole body to paddle, straighten those arms, use your back, core and legs all together as a team.

Arms

Leading with your upper arm in a sweeping motion while the your body rotates and moves the paddle through.You will get most power having a long forward reach, and finishing the stroke not far past your feet.

Legs and Torso

Back straight, and knees slightly bent, similar to horse stance in Tai Chi, just legs not as wide. Experiment and see how it feels squatting at different levels, notice the effect on your balance, which muscles you feel it in and how much power you generate in that position.

Speed

Slow right down and take time to isolate and feel it as you engage different muscle groups while you paddle and rotate. Practice different moves like forward and reverse to see how it works legs, core, back, head and arms. Speed it up for some cardio fitness.

Comfort

Nothing is more of a buzz kill if you start feeling uncomfortable or overly tired on a physical tour. Paddling while sitting down will give you a break when you need one.

Short Paddle Boarding Video

This is a short clip of the mangrove safari and more so the boat ride. It’s hard to a take video and paddle board at the same time, unless of course you are Audrius; our super talented teacher.

Sailing Belize

Ready for the mangrove paddleboard safari adventure

sailing belize

Belize Sailing school at Caribbean Villas Hotel

sailing belize

Picking paddleboards for the 4 of us taking the tour

belize adventure tours

Loading up the boat

sailing belize

Paddleboards loaded now waiting for people to board the boat

sailing belize

Gassing up the boat to head north west to a specific mangrove area

belize adventure tours

2 stood fast and 2 stayed on our knees a bit longer

belize sailing

Gliding through mangrove channels

belize adventure tours

We naturally took turns taking the lead

belize adventure tours

No tipsy taco today

belize adventure tours

What a great afternoon on the water

belize adventure tours

Lounge time

 sailing belize

Back to Caribbean Villas Hotel Dock

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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