Standup paddling has rapidly in grown into one of the best activities in Asheville, as more and more people realize that “SUP” is the best way to float the French Broad. You can sit on the board and relax like a kayak, paddle upstream for a workout, and go much faster and cover more ground than floating the river in a tube. From the amount of paddleboards you see strapped to roof racks on a casual drive across town, it seems that Asheville is claiming the title of “Surf City Appalachia.”
If this is the summer you finally decide to paddleboard in Asheville, we’ve compiled a list of 17 reasons why Wai Mauna Asheville SUP Tours is the best choice for standup paddling in Asheville. If you have a question about any of our trips you can reach us by phone at (828) 808-9038, or conveniently book a trip online to get you out on the water!
1. We’re the only company offering guided tours, which are all completely private!
Imagine having a private instructor that accompanies you down the river, who not only teaches you how to balance, paddle, and do a few tricks, but also tells you the history of Asheville and serves as a local guide. That’s what you’ll find with our guided SUP tours, which are all completely private tours and personalized for your group. There’s no paddling with other groups, so you get the attention of a professional instructor who can help you navigate down the river and ensure your comfort and safety.
2. Lowest-priced SUP Rentals in Asheville
If you’re looking for Asheville paddleboard rentals we offer the lowest-priced rentals in town! Just $39 for our 4-mile paddle, and $44 for a 7-mile paddle that goes through the Biltmore Estate. That’s the final price out the door—no hidden taxes or fees!
3. All of our instructors are ACA certified
All of our instructors are professionally certified by the American Canoe Association, and they complete rigorous, multi-day training courses to become certified paddleboard instructors.
4. We’re the only company to offer complimentary footwear
Some people like to go barefoot while paddling while others like to wear shoes, and we’re the only company offering complimentary booties if you don’t want to bring your own!
5. We’re the only company to offer a FREE lesson with every Asheville paddleboard rental
That’s right—you get a FREE PADDLEBOARD LESSON with every Ashevillle paddleboard rental. We don’t just shuttle you up to the river, drop you off, and say “have a good time.” We park the van, carry your gear to the river, and literally get in the water with you to give you a lesson until you feel comfortable. We’ll show you the right way to hold the paddle and where to stand on the board, and offer suggestions on steering, stopping, and how to avoid the rocks. Your safety and enjoyment is our number one priority, and our goal is to help you learn how to paddle—not just rent out boards.
6. We’re the only company to offer belt pack life jackets
Not all lifejackets are created equal and some are more comfortable than others. That’s why we offer the belt pack style of lifejackets, which are designed to be worn like a fanny pack and fit snugly around your waist. They’re equipped with a C02 cartridge you can deploy in the event of an emergency, and even though they're more expensive than traditional, inherent lifejackets, it’s an added cost we’re happy to pay if it means you’ll be more comfortable.
7. We have Asheville’s most stable boards
There are all different types of paddleboards, and if you rent a thin, narrow board when it’s your first time standup paddling, chances are it will be a bit wobbly and you won't have a great experience. That’s why we offer Imagine Surfers, which are 9’9” x 34 inches wide and made from a blow molded plastic, which not only means you can bump them into rocks, but they’re solid, stable, easy to use, and perfect for first time paddlers.
8. We open earlier and close later than any Asheville paddleboard shop
When our owner, Kyle, moved from Maui, he was blown away that nowhere in Asheville offered trips before 10am. Sunrise and sunset are the two most calming, beautiful times on the river, and we’re North Carolina’s only company offering paddling trips at sunrise. Don’t feel like doing a “Dawn Patrol?” We also offer trips at 8am and 9:30am, when you can still pretty much have the river to yourself and beat the afternoon crowds. Want to sneak in a sunset session? We have trips as late as 6:15pm that finish around 8:45pm
9. Our staff and guides are passionate paddlers and active paddleboard racers
You know what our staff does when they get a day off? They grab their boards and go paddling.
We are passionate, dedicated standup paddlers who train for races, are constantly learning, and love helping others experience the stoke of standup paddling in Asheville.
The owner, Kyle, is a team rider for JP Australia and races on the professional circuit. Two of our guides, Holly and Les, race on the local Southeastern circuit, and Tom is one of Asheville’s top paddlers when it comes to paddling whitewater. Danelle is another whitewater specialist who's considered one of the nation's top female whitewater standup paddlers, and Eric is becoming a regular face in the whitewater standup scene.
10. We’re a corporate sponsor of River Link
We’re all about giving back to the river, and portions of proceeds from every paddler are directly donated to RiverLink. Since we first opened in 2015 we've donated nearly $3,000 to help clean up the river!
11. We’re the only company offering free delivery to Lake Lure, Lake James, and Lake Summit
How’s this for super convenient? You rent a house that’s right on the lake, but instead of renting boards from a shop and then strapping them down to your roof, we bring the boards directly to your door and pick them up when you’re done. Yes, you read that right: We’ll deliver paddleboards directly to your lake house and you don’t have to lift a finger. We currently service Lake Lure, Lake James, Lake Summit, Lake Adger, and lakes in Connestee Falls.
12. Our crazy, 6-person SUP board!
If you’ve already been whitewater rafting in Asheville and are looking for something new, try out our brand new, 6-person SUP board, Asheville’s craziest new river adventure! You don’t need to drive an hour from town, you finish within minutes of restaurants, and if you can either do a guided tour or rent out the board with 6 friends!
13. Private Asheville paddleboard lessons
If you’re looking to improve your paddling stroke or work on specific skills, our professional instructors offer private lessons at Lake Julian or out on the river.
14. Our staff participates in river cleanups
The French Broad River gives us our livelihood, our exercise, and our peace, so the least we can do is give back to the river by helping to clean it up.
15. Our Malama Asheville Fundraising Paddles
As a way to give back to the Asheville community, we offer our weekly Malama Asheville Fundraising Paddle, where $15 from each rental is directly donated back to the Asheville non-profit or group of choice.
16. Gear That's Made in the USA!
Our Imagine Surfer paddleboards are made right here in the USA from a recyclable, polyethylene material, and our Kialoa paddles are made in Oregon—we support American manufacturing!
17. Unparalleled customer service
We hold ourselves to an exceptionally high standard in terms of customer service, and we’re a company where we know every paddler by name, and “No” is never an answer. We aren’t here for us, we’re here for you, and we make your safety, needs, and concerns our number one priority.
Running late? We’ll work to reschedule. Hungry? We’ll give you a Clif Bar. Even if it starts to rain on the paddle we’ll give you the jacket off our back.
This uncompromising, personalized service is probably the reason we’re Asheville’s #1 Water Sports company on Trip Advisor, and our goal each day is to be the highlight of your entire summer in Asheville.
Enough about us—let’s hear about you!
Leave us a comment or drop us a line on our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and we’re stoked for another awesome season of standup paddling in Asheville!
