What does your name mean & where did it come from?

Anakalia is a Hawaiian name.  People with this name are excited by change & adventure, are visionary with a strong ability to make constructive use of their freedom.  They are energetic and make friends easily. One of our owners was fortunate enough to spend a short period of time in Maui years ago, where she first encountered stand up paddleboarding.  The sport is most commonly referred to as 'SUP'.

What time are sessions offered?

We meet at our home base on our scheduled weekday mornings from 6:30-7:30a.m. & evenings from 6:30-8pm.  We also offer Coffee on Cobbett's sunrise sessions on Sunday mornings & evening sessions on Saturdays starting at 5:30pm.   Bookings at private residences are based upon availability.

Our schedule varies week to week & is subject to change based upon weather and town events. Please check in frequently to make sure your preferred time is still available.

Do I need to come early to help unload equipment?

Plan to arrive a few minutes in advance to fill out forms and get set up with equipment.   The safety of our paddlers & our equipment is very important to us. You do not need to arrive early to assist with unloading equipment, this is part of our flat fee.

What do I wear & Will I get wet?

Stand up paddleboarding is fairly simple to do, but the first few times out may present unexpected challenges.  Prepare to get wet and we will do our best to ensure you don’t. The water is chilly in the early morning hours and the air is too… so plan accordingly and always bring a towel. You will be barefoot while on the board, unless you prefer to wear water shoes.  Our most frequent complaint is sore feet, as you have a natural instinct to try to grip the board to retain balance.  Due to this, you may wish to bring water shoes your first time out.

Where do you meet and offer rentals & lessons?

We meet and conduct most of our sessions from our home base at the Windham Town Beach, Windham, NH.  We also host private events at your home for individuals with private water access (please remember to book in advance).  If you live on a lake in a surrounding town and would like to plan an event to have Anakalia SUP come to you, we would be happy to discuss with approved access.

Do you offer rentals to children?

We are happy to offer lessons and parties to children ages 10 and up.  A coast guard approved PFD must be worn by children 12 and under.  Please call to discuss any questions you may have with regard to scheduling a lesson with or for your child(ren).  Stand up paddleboarding can present different challenges for children than it does for adults, as the average board is between 10'6" and 11'4", weighing up to 35 pounds.  Although our paddles are adjustable, they can be difficult for smaller children to manuever.

How many paddlers can you take at one time & what if I have my own board?

We have the utmost respect for our waterways and the residents of our surrounding towns.  In order to retain the highest level of safety while on the water, we can take a maximum of 9 paddlers at a time.  Others are welcome to join if they have their own equipment, but will not be the responsibility of Anakalia SUP. 

Do you have insurance & safety training?

We are fully insured by a great organization specializing in recreational companies offering lessons & rentals to folks looking to embark in outdoor recreational activities.  Our instructors are CPR/AED certified through the American Heart Association and have successfully completed training through Paddlefit with a Level 1 Paddlefit certification. 

What are your considerations in light of COVID-19?

Your safety on and off the water is our first priority. After each session, paddles and board handles will be sanitized. During each session, each paddler will adjust their own paddle. Only the instructor will move boards and paddles from the truck to the water. PFD’s (personal flotation device - life jacket) will be supplied and required to be on the board for all paddlers and children 12 and under are required to wear a PFD while on the board. Anyone preferring to bring their own PFD for safety reasons, is encouraged to do so. We are only able to water rinse PFD’s between sessions, but will sanitize them weekly. While on the beach we ask groups to stay together with their respective friends and family remaining a minimum of six feet apart from other groups during the lesson portion of the session. As always and while on the water we continue to recommend paddlers stay distant from one another to provide for a more relaxing experience. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or that has traveled recently or been in close proximity to or contact with someone recently diagnosed is asked to refrain from booking at this time.