Mike’s Paddle

I LOVE Mike’s Paddle! I took my first class in August of 2015 and I have been there 1 – 4 days a week ever since. Being on the water and getting exercise outdoors makes life so much better! I can be shy in group settings, but I have always felt comfortable in the Mike’s community. Coach Mike is very warm, friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience. Within 2 months of starting up I was doing my first paddleboard race in San Francisco, and that was entirely due to Mike’s instruction and encouragement. The rates are extremely reasonable, and I’ve never once felt «sold to.» Mike has even talked me out of buying equipment if he doesn’t think it’s the right fit for me. You can tell he is not in this to make money off of his clients — he’s in this for the joy of helping others fall in love with paddling! If I could give 6 stars for above and beyond satisfaction, I certainly would!

Recommend this place as a weekend gateway or bday party. Mike is a really nice guy and it was a pleasure working with him and his team.

Love Mike and his team! My sisters and I went paddle boarding for one of my sister’s birthday and it was the best sister group thing we have ever done. It was so much fun and even though intimidating, got easier along the way. At first I was terrified, but after a while on the water it’s so much fun.
The whole class got along great and we all had a blast. Great activity for all friends and family! I definitely recommend and hopefully we’ll be back for another trip on the water.

My whole experience with Mike was amazing. I wanted to set up a private «Intro to SUP» class for myself and friends. Mike set up the class and we were all able to individually sign up and pay. That was great especially because it is hard to collect funds and chase people for group activities. So I extended an invite to my friends and whoever paid for to come.
The class itself was unanimously was one of the best activities we’ve ever done. Our group varied in open water experience, from someone who didn’t know how to swim to others who have surfed, kayaked, etc. I myself am afraid of open water and have never gone into an open water past the point where I could stand. It was intimidating, but Mike and his team made me feel safe and secure.
We will definitely be back for more!

Seriously. So friendly. So un-​pretentious and down to earth. So great with myself and my kids. Just excited to be a part of this place. I hope I can get out here every week.

Fun day! Mike is a fantastic instructor! He made learning this new sport not only fun but relaxing. He shows you how to paddle, and talks about all the techniques in the shop before heading out to the water. Once you get your wetsuit and life vest on you are ready to get on the board. Paddling in Ballena Marina is the perfect spot to learn, glassy water, soft breezes. Once you are out into the bay and practicing your newly learned paddle techniques, Mike has everyone fall into the water so that you can learn how to get back up, and he is the first one in! No one wants to be the first one to fall in so this was a really fun part of the class because we all do it together! HA! (You can touch the bottom in this part of the bay) I can not recommend Mikes Paddle enough! Come out and give it a try, you will be so glad you did!

This place is awesome. Great customer service and lots of good fun! We went out to the bay and had a great view of the city. Ask for Janet if she’s around. Super chill and nice. definitely recommend this place!

What an epic day! I was apprehensive to attempt this in fear of falling in the cold water. Not only is the weather often nice in Alameda (compared to where I live, in SF), Mike provided wet suits, and the water wasn’t bad at all.
Mike showed us a sample of his fitness and yoga SUP classes will entail, what a blast and great workout! I’m in. :-)

If you’re an apprehensive total beginner to SUP, this is THE place to learn. Mike is an excellent teacher: patient, clear, detailed, and super-​encouraging. I took the intro class and had a fabulous time, even though the technique didn’t come naturally to me. Just took a private class with Mike, which was a great mix of skill building, practice and challenge. Next up: SUP Essentials. Can’t wait!

I always wanted to take SUP while I worked in Hawaii and never had the chance. Lo and behold I found Mike’s Paddle right in my backyard! I took the intro class and was really impressed by Mike’s gentle approach, step-​by-​step instructions, and his ability to teach a group of 10 with zero issues. The day I took my intro lesson the weather was clear and water calm. Mike and his asst. guided us through an intro safety startup lesson and then took us out on the bay. Not once was I fearful of the water or his instructions to safely rise from knees to standing position. Mike has a personal and caring touch for each participant and is quick to give pointers for safety and correct handling of the paddle and the board. At all times I felt reassured and that I was in good hands. If you’ve ever had the urge to try SUP, Mike’s Paddle is the place to go. The lessons ended with a group stretching in the lobby– great addition Mike! I left feeling confident and that I would definitely go back for additional lessons. Well worth checking out, you will not be disappointed!

Mike is a great teacher — very informative and patient. His assistant, Katy was also very good. We were initially instructed on the basics of paddle boarding, then paddled around the Marina and eventually made our way to the Bay. We actually paddled about 2 hours. Great workout.
I was hesitant about taking the class but Mike calmed all fears. I would highly recommend this facility for a beginner. I had never paddled before, but will be back,

Mike is an awesome teacher. Highly recommend everyone to try SUP at this location !!!

This was my first time to try SUP I was a little nervous but Mike’s excellent instruction put me at ease immediately. I can tell this is a passion for Mike. We had a small group all ages and Mike was great. I plan to do a one on one private class next then another group. It was so much fun.

Mike is a great instructor with a sparkling new business which is bound to be a great success!
This past weekend a group of nine of us not only had a great time paddling about on glassy waters but we also saw a seal, bat rat and clear views of SF.
Of all the several times I’ve done SUP at locations across the world, I’ve never received such detailed instruction in terms of safety, strokes, and body alignment.
From start to finish it was an extremely organized, comprehensive and best of all FUN day!
Bonus points for providing quality new (and dry!) wet suits and for happily taking plenty of pictures of us (AND emailing them to us right away).
Mike offers all types and levels of classes and I’d recommend to anyone!
Make a day of it and hit up Abigail’s Café for lunch– delicious, unassuming sandwiches…
Thanks Mike! ALOHA!

I got to walk on water! Fantastic experience, and what a great place to do it. Calm waters in the marina with breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline and the Alameda Naval Base. Mike is an excellent teacher. He was thorough, funny, warm, and patient. I thought it was just about paddling but in just two hours Mike taught me all kinds of maneuvers, technique, and new skills. Apparently there’s a whole world of SUP’ing and it’s clear that Mike is a pro. Also, I can’t think of a better location. Tons of parking, great views, and even a bunch of lunch options right there at the marina for after-​paddling food and drinks. I’ve paddled at the Berkeley marina, but Ballena Bay has MUCH calmer waters and is way less crowded. A hidden gem :) Highly recommend going with friends or a group but he also does private lessons. Fun stuff!

Fantastic experience at Mike’s paddle. Classes appeal to the beginner and advanced paddler. Classes start with an instructional overview i. e how to handle the paddle, how to properly stand up on the board and safety precautions. Mike gets a sense of everyone’s ability prior to class and moves at a comfortable pace for all levels.
We started padding around the Marina and then moved out to the Bay for those who felt comfortable. Water was calm, weather was great and I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of paddling — Will come again!

I had been wanting to try SUPing for a few years and I had my first experience today with Mike’s Paddle. The intro class starts out with a fun and informative training so that you know the basics and can get comfortable before you get out on the water. I was pretty nervous when it initially came time to stand up on the board in the water, but was finally able to because of Mike’s patience, encouragement and helpful instructions. Our group had varying levels of expertise and he was able to challenge the more advanced paddlers while ensuring that the beginners, including me, felt supported. He’s an awesome instructor, whose fun and calm demeanor makes for a perfect SUPing experience.

Mike’s Paddle is situated in a great location for beginners and advanced stand up paddlers (SUP). As a beginner, I am able to challenge myself by paddling the various parts of this bay water. Mike’s patience and excellent communication, makes him a great instructor. SUP was once a leisure hobby but now it’s become a fun workout on the water. The group outings and the one-​on-​one trainings are worth every cent. I’m definitely returning for more adventures!

I’d always wanted to try stand up paddleboarding, and I finally got the chance to try last summer for the first time — yay!
Mike is a fantastic and patient teacher. I consider myself a fairly unathletic person, so I was a little apprehensive about how well I would be able to balance on the board. Turns out, stand up paddleboarding is actually quite accessible even for noobs like myself. It’s a really great workout for your core and you get to see these amazing views out in the bay. Even if you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t worry, you’ll be wearing a life vest so there is zero chance of drowning! ;)
All the necessary equipment is provided, and you just have to show up in clothes that you don’t mind getting wet in (I suggest yoga pants + non-​cotton running shirt for the ladies). After a couple lessons with Mike, you’ll be confident on the water in no time. Even my dog enjoys paddleboarding now!

I had an amazing first experience paddleboarding with Mike! Mike was a great teacher and very calm, which was necessary with my inclination to freak out when stranded on a board in the middle of open water. He was really patient with me and the amount of time it took me to stand up. It turns out my paddle wasn’t the right length and Mike noticed that, adjusted his own paddle and very calmly switched paddles with me. I would highly recommend Mike’s Paddle!