Enjoy the Fun of Prone Paddleboarding in Torrance

Just as Los Angeles is known for its entertainment industries, the South Bay is considered a mecca for prone paddleboarding. And Torrance is in the center of it all.

Prone paddleboarding is a water sport where riders lie flat on their stomachs or kneel on a paddleboard or surfboard, using only their hands to propel themselves through the water. The experience can vary greatly depending on pace, offering either the thrill of speed or the calm of a long, meditative ride. Also known simply as paddleboarding, the activity has grown in popularity in recent years, with top competitions taking place throughout the South Bay and Torrance.

Read on to learn more about this upcoming sport and places to find the best paddle along with tips on what else there is to do when you book your next vacation to the beautiful city of Torrance.

A LOOK BACK

The history of paddleboarding dates back to ancient Polynesians, who used wooden boards primarily for transportation. In the early 1930s, surfing legend Tom Blake created what is considered the modern paddleboard, gathering inspiration from early Hawaiian designs. He used these new marvels to break almost every paddleboard record, several of which stood for decades.

WHAT MAKES PRONE PADDLEBOARDING UNIQUE?

Unlike the well-known sports of surfboarding and stand-up paddleboarding — where you’ll be standing several feet above the water, depending on your height — prone paddleboarding puts you mere inches from the water’s surface. More so lying flat than kneeling, you’ll experience a connection with nature’s beauty that helps reduce stress, clears your mind and provides an excellent opportunity to recharge.

Believe it or not, you can do all this and still get a fantastic workout. Although paddleboarding is considered a low-impact exercise, it offers a great full-body workout. From working your arm muscles and back as you paddle, to strengthening knee muscles as you move forward and leg muscles to help you stay balanced. Paddleboarding is also excellent for improving your cardiovascular fitness, building endurance and burning calories.

THE THRILL OF VICTORY

Whether you’re a pro or a novice paddleboarder, you’ll want to attend the Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddlerace on Aug. 3. One of the most popular competitions of the International Surf Festival, the quick 2-mile sprint race starts at 7:30 a.m. at nearby Manhattan Beach Pier and ends at the Hermosa Beach Pier. Open to all ages, the event is sponsored by the South Bay Boardriders Club.

The Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race is one of the premier races in the world; however, the grueling 32-mile competition, which begins at 6 a.m. on Aug. 24, is not for beginners. Some of the athletes qualified for the Classic in June at The South Bay Paddle, a 15-mile race held at the Hermosa Beach Pier.

Instead of entering the Classic on Aug. 24, see the competitors off, then get ready for the Catalina Cup Paddleboard Race, a family-friendly 2-mile paddleboard race that begins at 7 a.m. at the Manhattan Beach Pier, which is also the race’s finish line. Even if you don’t win, the competition will be fun for the whole family.

A GLOBAL PHENOMENON

It’s always a bonus when the best of the best in an activity you enjoy is located in your hometown.

Torrance can claim Bark Paddleboards, widely recognized as the premier builder of paddleboards in the world, as its own. In 1982, Joe Bark built his first paddleboard, inspired by the great builders from decades past. Now, Joe, together with family and friends, can boast that their paddleboards have won more races than any other prone board brand.

LET’S GET PADDLING!

Now you know about the history, competitions and craftsmanship of paddleboarding. So, what’s next? How about … heading to the water and having some fun!

Torrance is oh-so fortunate to have a wonderful stretch of coastline called Torrance Beach. Besides featuring an abundance of parking and restaurants and shops nearby, Torrance Beach offers an uncrowded opportunity to take your paddleboard out for a fun, relaxing ride, or the chance to tackle a bigger challenge when the waves are stronger. There are also plenty of shops at or near Torrance Beach where you can buy or rent a paddleboard, and even learn or get a refresher course on your paddleboarding skills.

When you want to take a break from paddleboarding, there’s plenty of room for volleyball, building sand castles, surfing, stand-up paddling or renting a pole and trying your hand at fishing. Or just sit back, enjoy the view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

For a little more activity, Torrance Beach is the starting point for The Strand beach bike path, a 22-mile ride along the incredible coastline that runs to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. There are plenty of places to stop along the way for food and drink, souvenir shopping or just to take a break.

MORE ACTIVITIES IN TORRANCE

There are so many activities to do in Torrance besides paddleboarding, you should book a few extra days to experience all the city has to offer. For outdoor enthusiasts — which you obviously are — check out the South Coast Botanical Garden, an 87-acre garden with thousands of different species of plants, as well as abundant wildlife and birds. Or visit the Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature Center, one of the remaining vernal wetlands in Southern California, where you can discover more about the wetlands and see live animal exhibits, artwork and hands-on displays.

If you need a little shopping therapy, head over to the Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest shopping malls in the U.S. More than 250 stores, movie theaters, a variety of dining establishments and fun activities make this a must-stop while you’re in town. Make sure to head over to the California Welcome Center on the Main Level, Entrance 1, for insider tips on how to make your time in Torrance even better. And don’t forget to stock up on beach merch at the Welcome Center.

For the art aficionado, Torrance is home to a variety of museums and galleries. View outstanding contemporary art from a range of perspectives at VEFA Gallery, or check out modern works from artists at different stages of their careers at the Torrance Art Museum. For those who marvel at the ability to fly, the Western Museum of Flight features a collection of unique and prototype aircraft, drones, accessories and more, offering children of all ages the chance to see and touch airplanes that made aviation history.

We’ve only mentioned a few of the many events going on in Torrance. From free summer night concerts and movies in the park, to strolling the greens to show off your best golf shots and enjoying great theater presentations, Torrance really does have it all, and in a laidback atmosphere.

However, if you want to experience a little of the hustle and bustle of LA, Torrance is just a few minutes away. From amusement parks to professional sports, from stargazing at an observatory to gazing at stars and their homes, from movie studio tours … well, you get it. There’s a whole lot to do near the City of Angels.

THE FLAVORS OF TORRANCE

After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the coast on a prone paddleboard, it’s time to refuel and Torrance has you covered. Featuring more than 400 establishments to choose from, you’ll have the opportunity to try all your favorites without having to drive very far. Barbecue and Brazilian, Indian and Italian, Mexican and Mediterranean, sandwiches and sushi … yep, it’s all available in Torrance. And make sure to leave room for some of the best desserts you’ll ever taste.

Torrance is the Ramen Capital of Southern California. To assist you in finding some of the best noodles around, we’ve created a Ramen Trail Map so you can try them all. We also excel at pasta, by the way, and — you guessed it — we’ve created a Pasta Path Map to make it easy to find your new favorite restaurants.

Should you get a little parched, or just in the mood for some great suds, the beer scene is alive and very well in Torrance, home to 10 breweries (and, of course, we created a Beer Map to help guide you). Some are family-owned-and-operated, others offer signature brews and English ales, still others have a taproom, a tasting room and/or food to pair with your brew. What they all have in common is great tastes and helpful, friendly service.

WHY STAY IN TORRANCE?

That’s easy. For starters, Torrance is the hub of Southern California, the perfect spot to rest after each day of fun, sun and everything else in between. Spending time in Southern California is made easier when you make our city your home base during your stay, as our relaxed environment is close to LA and other attractions, but without the hustle and bustle.

Torrance offers a variety of hotel options to fit any budget, so start making plans to see what you’ve been missing. National Beach Day is on Aug. 30, and we’d love for you to celebrate with us then, although visiting this wonderful community even sooner is an even better idea.