What’s SUP in Hudson County? A lot, thanks to Resilience Paddle Sports and Urban Paddle.

Operating from Pier 13 in Hoboken, Resilience Paddle Sports serves residents of and visitors to the greater New York-New Jersey area. Its primary mission is to make paddling accessible for urban populations, with the philosophy that outdoor activities are empowering and can build personal resilience as well as awareness of the natural world.

That’s important, they explain, because people living in urban areas face unique daily stressors, such as traffic, a fast-paced work life and a high cost of living:

“Due to limited time and access, urbanites are also faced with few opportunities to spend time simply enjoying a peaceful natural outdoor setting. In this kind of environment, it is easy to make unhealthy choices like eating poorly, putting off exercise and hanging out online rather than getting outside.”

Although the Hudson River is now clean enough for recreational use, many people who live nearby don’t get the chance to take advantage of it. So Resilience Paddle Sports offers SUP yoga and fitness classes, as well as regular paddleboarding, kayaking and youth programs.

Urban Paddle operates from a kiosk at Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City, steps from the Grove Street Path and Liberty Harbor lightrail. They offer tours of the harbor by SUP and kayak, paddling lessons—including SUP yoga—and paddleboard and kayak rentals.

It’s a beginner-friendly business, with tour guides who are experts at teaching basic paddle technique and marine safety. All tours include free pictures.

Urban Paddle has a club membership option that comes with exclusive discounts and events.

For more information about Resilience Paddle Sports, email [email protected] or visit ResilienceAdventures.org. For more information about Urban Paddle, call 551-775-3653, email [email protected] or visit Urban-Paddle.com.