Kate thought mindfulness came from the stillness of her yoga mat. That was until she got onto a paddleboard.

Living in my new home in the Northern Rivers, surrounded by pristine waterways and lush Gondwana rainforest, it’s easy to find moments to be mindful. Whether it’s hiking in the bush, hitting the yoga mat, or plunging into a cold ocean (the latter often accompanied by squeals and yelps), these practices have taught me to focus on the present moment, connect with my body, and find peace in nature.

So, when I first stepped onto a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), I didn’t expect to feel anything new. In fact, I was pretty rubbish at it and wanted to give up.

But paddleboarding surprised me. The combination of balancing on the board, trying not to fall off into aforementioned cold water, gliding through calm water, and sharing the space with birds and fish created a unique experience and one that brought mindfulness into sharp focus.

 

My new favourite contemplation space

The Element of Surprise

Unlike yoga, where mindfulness comes from deliberate stillness and controlled movements, paddleboarding demands attention in a different way. Balancing on the board requires constant micro-adjustments. Dana Diament, who runs a yoga studio in Lennox Head, explains that mindfulness is about ‘bringing your attention to one point, again and again’. She likens the practice of yoga to SUP in its ability to hold your attention.

‘Both can be rhythmic. When you focus on your breath in either, you can enter a flow state where you’re completely immersed in the moment’, she tells me.

Chris Pye, a psychotherapist and ultra-trail runner, agrees, saying that when the body is fully engaged in an activity, the mind is naturally more present.

‘It’s not about zoning out but being completely attuned to the moment’, he tells me.

Paddleboarding offers this experience, where every shift in the water and adjustment on the board brings you back to the moment.

 

Paddling is a practice

Water’s Natural Reset

Water has always had a calming effect on me, but Dana explained that this connection goes deeper than relaxation.

‘Being near water and nature reminds you of the larger world and nature’s cycles. It soothes the nervous system and can help us think more clearly’, she tells me.

 

Aaand exhale

 

Whether paddleboarding, fishing, or just sitting by the shore, proximity to water encourages perspective and mental clarity.

Read more: The Bodies That Hold Us

The Mindfulness of Motion

Unlike yoga’s structured movements, paddleboarding creates mindfulness through dynamic motion. The alternating paddle strokes activate both sides of the brain, fostering what Chris calls ‘bilateral stimulation’. Dana notes that, much like yoga, paddleboarding helps build physical strength while keeping you engaged and present.

Gliding along Fenwick Reserve in Ballina, I spot a Pied oystercatcher wading nearby and fish darting below. I stay alert for the resident Coastal carpet python in the rockwall. In these moments, I’m deeply connected to my surroundings.

 

Blink and you’ll miss the dolphin!

 

Chris likens this to his trail running practice.

‘Trail running woke me up to the subtle messages of my body and my environment’, he tells me. ‘It’s about finding a flow state where you’re physically engaged but mentally at peace.’

Fishing, Running, and Paddleboarding

Wesley Littlefield is the Marketing Manager at Anglers and has spent years fishing in Texas waters. He noted how paddleboarding and fishing share a similar rhythm.

‘Fishing requires patience and awareness. You’re reading the water, focusing on your technique, and staying present’, he said. ‘It’s not just about catching fish; it’s about the mindfulness of the process.’

For Chris, trail running offers this same connection. ‘Pushing my body through rugged terrain helped me break down mental barriers and reconnect with myself’, he shared. Paddleboarding provides a similar opportunity to tap into both body and mind.

A Mindful Surprise

Since discovering paddleboarding, I’ve found a new way to connect with myself and the world around me. While yoga and bushwalking remain essential parts of my mindfulness practice, SUP brought a fresh perspective I hadn’t anticipated.

Dana captures it perfectly: ‘Yoga teaches you to pay attention without judgment and with curiosity. Paddleboarding offers the same opportunity to detach from the story in your mind and open up to the present moment’.

On the board, the need to balance, the gliding motion, and the rhythm of paddling create a dynamic form of meditation.

 

Setting up the board can be meditative too

 

Whether you’re navigating a serene creek, tackling gentle ocean swells, or simply floating, SUP blends physical engagement, mental clarity, and a profound connection to nature.

Sometimes, mindfulness comes from surprising places. For me, it was on a paddleboard in the Northern Rivers.

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