FAQ
This page is updated regularly in order to bring you a comprehensive library of information to help you plan your Stand Up Paddle adventures.
Here are the steps to book online: 1. Go to our booking page. 2. Search for a program by date or type. 3. Click 'Book Now' for your chosen program. 4. Verify the date, time, and quantity, then click 'Continue'. 5. Enter your information, review the waiver and terms, then click 'Continue'. 6. Enter your payment info and click 'Submit'. 7. You're booked! 8. Complete guest details and sign your waiver. 9. Check your email for reminders and links to all forms. Need help? Email pam@bluejellyfishSUP.ca!
If you paddle with us regularly, you can also opt to create a user account.
1. Simply click on the Login link (top right) on our booking page and then Create an Account from the pop-up window.
2. Enter some basic information in order to create your account, including your first and last name, email address, and enter a password. Click submit.
3. You will then receive an email asking you to verify your email address. Open the email and click the link.
4. You now have a Blue Jellyfish SUP user account. Bookmark this page so you can make changes to your account and book new events with us!
We have also created a step-by-step video to help you out here.
Everyones SUP paddle journey will look different based on their previous expereince with other paddle sports, but the ideal learning path is as follows;
1) Basic SUP Skills (learn the basic skills and see if you really like the sport)
2) Lessons or SUP Meet Ups (get more board time under your feet, refine skills and gain confidence)
3) Advanced SUP Skills (refine skills and learn advanced techniques)
4) Day Tours (paddles to build endurance and practice skills while exploring new places)
5) Coastal Touring & Camping (learn how to overnight camp with your SUP)
6) Multiday Trips (paddle 3+ days in a row while staying in B&B's)
If you're not sure where to start or what your next step should be, don't be shy! Contact us :)
Our Paddle & Ocean Shop is located at 9704 Third Street in Sidney, BC, just a 20-30 minute drive from Victoria on Southern Vancouver Island. We run lessons, courses, workshops and tours in various locations on the Saanich Peninsula including Sidney and Brentwood Bay. Our multi-day trips take place in multiple British Columbia locations as well as other Canadian and International destinations. Visit our Locations page for maps and details.
To help you show up prepared, we created a downloadable checklist. Click the link below to open the doc and then use the 'file>download or print' option to save a copy for future reference.
You always want to head out onto the water or the wilderness prepared for the worst case senario; you have to spend the night outdoors and are wet. We recommend you put these items in a drybag and bring them with on every paddle, even if it's close to home or the middle of the day.
- water bottle
- 10-20L dry bag (hold everything below)
- headlamp
- small first aid kit
- fire starter kit
- snacks (+extra)
- sunscreen/lip balm
- cellphone (in waterproof case)
- compass and chart (GPS if you know how to use it)
- small tarp or emergency blanket
- knife
- additional warm layers
To stay warm and safe during winter paddleboarding, dress for the water temperature. Ideally, wear a drysuit with warm layers underneath. If you don't have a drysuit, a 5mm+ wetsuit is a good alternative, paired with rain gear or additional layers. Don't forget your PFD, hat, mitts or gloves, and neoprene booties or socks. Stay warm and enjoy your paddle!
For summer paddleboarding, consider the water temperature and conditions. For ocean paddling (water temp <20C), wear neoprene booties or watershoes, a drysuit/wetsuit with additional layers, and bring gloves, a hat, sunglasses, a buff, and extra dry layers. For lake/calm water paddling (water temp >20C), wear a swimsuit, quick-dry workout clothing, a long sleeve layer, a rain jacket and pants, and water shoes. Also, bring gloves, a hat, sunglasses, a buff, and extra dry layers.
When you're new to SUP, the best places to start are anywhere where the water is clam and there is little to no wind. Lakes, ponds, sheltered coves and wide, slow moving rivers are all possible spots.
You also want an easy place to launch and land, sandy beaches are always the nciest but other slopeing shorelines are fine too.
When possible, ask locals for beginner freindly places. Take to rental shops or join a local facebook group to get the paddle places beta.
At the beginner stage, you want to avoid places with currents and wave or swell action as well as windy conditions over 20km/hr gusts. "Windy" is a great app for checking the local wind and wave situation.