Sanibel Recreation Center to offer new paddleboarding course
The Sanibel Recreation Center will offer a Paddleboarding 101 Course in January.
Students will learn to paddle efficiently and safely in a variety of flat-water conditions. They will also become confident reading the local water, wind, tide and identifying hazards, while familiarizing themselves with stand-up paddleboard equipment, how it is made and its care.
Cost is $320 for members and $400 for non-members.
Course dates and times:
– Jan. 14 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; meet at the center
– Jan. 16, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; meet at Causeway Island A
– Jan. 18 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; meet at Causeway Island A
Prerequisites:
– Completed waivers
– Age 18 and older; ages 14-17 years may participate with registered parent/guardian
– Comfortable in water
Able to swim 25 yards, tread water for 60 seconds, and move unassisted from kneeling to standing on a paddleboard
Participants must provide:
– Water and snack
– Sunscreen
– Hat and long sleeve shirt
– Water shoes (optional)
The instructor, Wil Compton, brings decades of local “on the water” experience in paddling, surfing and sailing. He holds a 50-ton United States Coast Guard Masters’ Boat Captain License and is a South West Florida Academy of Surfing Instructors/American Canoe Association Level 2 Certified Instructor.
Compton’s passion is teaching and sharing Sanibel’s vast waters.
For more information, email Compton at wilcompton@earthlink.net.