Paddle Boarding with Friends!

I love taking a day to teach friends to Stand Up Paddle. It is great to watch them pick it up so quickly and enjoy the water like they haven't before.  This was a beautiful day with our close friends from Istanbul.

We were able to enjoy the water all day long which is rare because fall is upon us.

When in Gümüşlük you must paddle around "rabbit island," it is as close as you can get now that it is closed for excavation.

In the background you can make out the excavated parts on the island. What you mostly see are foundations of buildings. Gümüşlük is built upon an ancient city known as Myndos.

I love a good SUP session at sunset!

iyi bayramlar!

iyi bayramlar! Hope you have a happy holiday!

SEVEN CAPES STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING

Seven Capes is a great tour company located in Kayaköy, near Fethiye.  They specialize in kayak and stand up paddle board rentals and tours. If you are in the Fethiye area and want to rent or tour with a paddle board I highly recommend this company.

Seven capes owner, Dean, paddling around the turquoise waters near Fethiye

Seven Capes are also Haute Boards SUP dealers if you are interested in purchasing your own Stand Up Paddle Board

Contact info for Seven Capes:
www.sevencapes.com
info@sevencapes.com
0252 618 0390
0537 403 3779
Here is a link to another great blog post about Seven Capes:
http://aguidetofethiye.com/2012/07/05/stand-up-and-be-counted-paddling-boarding-in-fethiye/

Fethi-YEAH! One day in Fethiye

When paddle boarding in Fethiye I couldn't stop thinking why are we the only ones here? Ölüdeniz, located on the coast of the Mediterranean town of Fethiye, is more than a ideal place to paddle. To put it simply it's paradise. Don't get me wrong I didn't mind having paradise to myself but I feel like I must share its value with the paddle boarding community. If you can get to Ölüdeniz with a paddle board- do it!

Ölüdeniz means dead sea in Turkish. I believe this name refers to the very calm, clear waters, which means the perfect place to paddle in my book. This picture shows the entrance to Ölüdeniz where daily boat trips come and go and where you can watch many para gliders coming in for a landing on a strip of beach. Paragliding is BIG in Ölüdeniz. The sky is constantly filled with parachutes, which is great to watch while you are paddling.

If you enter Ölüdeniz Natural Park then you will have access to a beautiful blue lagoon where motor boats are not allowed. The only water sports allowed there are kayaks, paddle boats and now paddle boards:) The experience is more like a lake then open sea. We paddled next to sea turtles and flying fish while inside the lagoon. Entrance is about $9 for a car and is well worth it. Plus it is easier to launch your board from this parking lot as it's closer.

The conditions on this October day were amazing. Ölüdeniz can be packed with tourists but since the tourist season was nearing the end it was quite pleasant. Don't miss the para gliders above me in the picture.

Here is a shot of the lagoon near sunset. The tree covered hills surrounding the lagoon make it an absolutely gorgeous place to visit. Very serene, very warm waters, a fabulous paddle spot!

Kaleköy and Uçağız continued...

Taken right before sunset after a light rain shower. Check out the lake like conditions!

This is literally where we parked our car. Tombs are abundant and surreal to see. This one is peeping out from overgrown grass next to a forgotten boat.

Once you paddle into the Üçağız bay you find the shoreline covered in ruins only reachable by foot or by boat. A little further out you will find small rock islands also covered in ruins.

 

Sunset in Üçağız. Makes me want to get out my board now!

 

This shows my husband leaving Kekova's shoreline for Kaleköy

 

Upon arriving to Kaleköy we stopped to take a shot of this adorable village from the sea. You can spot the "kale" or castle perched on the top of the hill. Quite a scenic place.

A closer view of the castle and village of Kaleköy. My husband and I paddled up to a fish restaurant to have lunch. Not having brought shoes with us meant that we couldn't do much exploring of the ruins by foot. So we sat and had a beer instead. We stayed a little too long however and the wind picked up. Once we attempted to paddle back to Üçağız we realized we would be over powered by wind. We paid our waiter at the restaurant 20tl, about $11, to take us back by boat. I would recommend checking the wind before you head out and starting earlier in the day. Although, the boat taxi was quite fun.

SUP workout from SELF magazine

Follow the link to find a great SUP training workout:

Üçağız, Kekova and Kaleköy

Anniversary Trip to Kekova

My husband and I took 3 days to explore the Kaş/ Kekova area of Turkey's Mediterranean coast this weekend. We often visit Kaş but this was our first time with our boards along. I've always wanted to go to Kekova and visit it's famed sunken city. We were absolutely delighted with this quaint fishing village sitting on ancient ruins. Everywhere you looked an ancient tomb was peaking through. Ruins are abundant below the water and on the shoreline. I believe that we were the first people to Stand Up Paddle here but it is a must for anyone with a paddle board in Turkey! Soon SUP rentals will be available, I will update the info once it is available.

Kekova's ruins run along the shoreline dipping to 6 meters below the surface in some places. Here you can see foundations of buildings.

We spent all morning paddling along Kekova's sunken shoreline

Paddling through a sunken bath house (hamam) KEKOVA

Ruins of residences sitting below and above the surface, KEKOVA

Kaleköy

Across the bay from Kekova is the fishing village of Kaleköy. We started in Üçağız and paddled to Kekova, then after buying water from a nearby tour boat, we continued our paddle to Kaleköy. Kaleköy is only reachable by boat or by foot which makes it the perfect SUP destination!

Things I love about Turkey...

Things I love about Turkey.... beaches, stumbling upon historical ruins daily, local, organic produce everywhere, seeing a Greek island from my balcony, having a guilt free tea or coffee break anytime of the day, hospitality, bazars...

Fener Beach Akyarlar, Bodrum

The guys at Fener Windsurf

Fener Beach in Akyarlar on the Bodrum peninsula has always been a great place for windsurfing. They are well known on the peninsula for consistent wind and a good time. Now they have included Stand Up Paddle boarding to their activities:) On a non-windy day get to Akyarlar for a great paddle! Their website is www.fenerwindsurf.com

Great day in Gundoğan

These were taken in Gundoğan at Cafe Sail Loft's beach. Such a great day and a wonderful place to paddle and people watch. Waters are always clear and warm and the water is usually chop free. Cafe Sail Loft has great parties most nights during the summer as well!

www.hauteboards.com

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Gümüşlük Turkey

Paddle Boarding in Gümüşlük is such a joy. This small fishing village on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey is a delightful place to put your board in the water! Especially at sunset:)