About Paddle Boarding San Diego
A free, all-levels stand up paddle boarding community that meets on Mission Bay. No fees, no experience required. Bring a board and share the stoke.
— OUR STORY
How it all started.
It began with one simple hope: to bring people together. I posted an open invitation online for anyone who wanted to paddle Mission Bay one weekend, and I honestly wasn't sure if anyone would show up. To my surprise, a group of adventurous strangers came out to join me. By the end of that first paddle session, those strangers felt like friends. We laughed, swapped stories, and realized we loved this idea of coming together simply to enjoy life on the water. That first meetup taught me something: a simple invite can spark something special, a real community.
— WHY WE PADDLE
Why community matters
The feeling I had that day wasn't entirely new. For years I have traveled all over the world, and wherever I go, whether I am navigating a street market in a far off country or paddling across Mission Bay at sunset, my mission stays the same: build something meaningful and bring people together while doing it. The fastest way to feel at home in a new place is to find a community, or to create one. I wanted to bring that spirit home to San Diego. Through paddle boarding (and the occasional hike), we are recreating the camaraderie I have found in my travels. It turns a simple day at the bay into a lasting memory, and it reminds us that we are all in this together.
— EVERYONE’S INVITED
Everyone is welcome on the water
This is not my club or an exclusive team. It belongs to everyone who wants to join. Our meetups have drawn college students, veterans, busy parents, retirees, lawyers, and doctors, all paddling side by side.
92
paddlers on one recent outing
21 - 60+
all ages, beginners to experts
$0.00
no fees, no membership
— Meet the Founder
Meet Gordon Sattro, our founder
I'm Gordon K. Sattro, a San Diego native, attorney, and traveler, and the guy who just couldn't keep a good paddle to himself. This whole thing started with a simple idea: invite people to paddle. No club fees, no agenda. Just show up, bring whatever board you have (or borrow one), and get on the water together.
When I am not organizing paddle events, you can usually find me in a courtroom, on a trail, on a plane, or in some off the map corner of the world chasing a new hike, a new bite, or a new perspective. Whether I am trekking Iceland's Laugavegur Trail, summiting Mount Fuji, or leading a group across Mission Bay at sunset, I keep arriving at the same truth: adventure is better when it is shared.
Paddle Boarding San Diego is not a business, and it is not even a formal club. It is a community born from motion and connection, and my role is simply to keep the stoke alive. If you show up, we will make sure you feel that too.
See you on the water, Gordon
Contact us
Have a question, an idea, or just want to say hello? We’d love to hear from you! Getting in touch is easy, and we’re always excited to connect with fellow adventurers.
