ABOUT PADDLE DIVA
MEET GINA BRADLEY
MEET GINA BRADLEY
Founded by Gina Bradley in the summer of 2009, Paddle Diva was created on the premise that women are completely underserved in the stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) market. Formerly a fitness instructor, wind-surfing teacher, and PADI-certified scuba instructor, Gina has a real passion for SUP and knew from the beginning that this was a trend that was about to really catch on for women. Motivated by her love for the sport, Gina began her SUP business by teaching women in East Hampton and listening to what they wanted from the sport. What resulted almost immediately was the creation of the DIVA board, a women’s stand-up paddle board that has been custom-built by Nature Shapes for women only. Gina offers not only this custom-made board, but also SUP instruction, SUP tours, ocean awareness coaching, SUP surf lessons, and kids SUP lessons. Book your stand up paddle boarding lesson or rental in NYC online today!
We are an ASI Accredited Stand Up Paddle School and abide by the high international standards for stand up paddle school operations.
Paddle Diva is an ASI Instructor Training Centre (ITC) and authorised to train ASI SUP Instructors
OUR STAND UP PADDLE BOARD RIDERS
OUR STAND UP PADDLE BOARD RIDERS
MADDIE ANDERSON
FREY WOOD
LYLA FOREMAN
JENNIFER FORD
Jennifer lives between Manhattan and East Hampton, and has been coming to the Hamptons every summer since she was a baby. In 2009, Jennifer created Paddle Diva’s first fitness class–Power Up on a SUP!–and has competed in many paddle races in the area, most happily on a tandem board. A breast cancer survivor, she especially supports the annual Paddle for Pink/BCRF event each summer. Other favorite charities are A Walk on Water and Surfers Healing.
Jennifer is Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) certified, has her Yoga Alliance certification, is a certified Reiki Practitioner and has a 100 hour NAHA certification in Essential Oil Therapy. Additionally, she holds a degree in Applied Positive Psychology.
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Jennifer brings elements of all her fields of expertise into her SUP fitness classes, focusing on the mind-body connection with an emphasis on stress relief through movement and immersion in nature (and a very challenging workout!).
When Jennifer isn’t on the water, she works within the nonprofit she co-founded, Bent On Learning. Bent On Learning is an organization that brings the practices of yoga and mindfulness into New York City under-served public schools. A former NYC public high school teacher, Jennifer has taught yoga and mindfulness to at-risk teens and children on the autism spectrum for over 25 years. Jennifer has two children, Chloe Rain (19) and Zachary Ocean (17) who both love the beach as much as she does. Jennifer loves to travel to beachy destinations with her life-partner (and surf enthusiast), Holly Rilinger.
HELEN GIFFORD
Helen’s passion for Stand Up Paddling is augmented by living and working close to the bays in Sag Harbor and is a natural extension to her industrial design background. The backdrop of Hampton’s life adds to her success as a custom lighting fixture and wallpaper designer with her company, HelenBilt.
As a designer, Helen is known for known for her ability to look at a project from many angles, and for bringing a creative diligence to her clients’ vision. This same discipline applies with clients on the water, as she works to harmonize the aesthetic beauty of the various waterways with a fitness lifestyle.
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Helen is a graduate of Parson’s School of Design, and has a degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Environmental Design, Policy and Planning.
An active member in the community, especially in the area of the arts, design, environment and public grounds, Helen currently serves as Chair for CTREE (Center for therapeutic Riding of the East End) and donates her times and fixtures to many local charities.
She was born in England and raised in Brunei and Montreal.
KAREN MARZO
Originally from sunny Sydney and a long time resident in Hong Kong, Karen has made the Hamptons her summer home since 1994. A water baby at heart, she’s spent years sailing, surfing and SUPing.
After a long career as a TV news anchor and having raised 3 sons, she found a new passion teaching SUP Yoga. After practicing yoga for 8 years, she did her 250 hour yoga teacher training with Yogapoint in Hong Kong and Nashik, India in 2016.
Karen loves the way the water adds both a challenge and a calming dimension to the yoga practice, and the beauty of the floating outdoor studio.
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When not on the water, she can be found weeding or harvesting vegetables at her husband’s farm in Amagansett.
Back in Hong Kong, Karen runs her media consulting business Intermedia, teaching media and presentation skills, MCing events, and hosts a weekly radio show on sex and gender issues called The Agender Café. She serves on the board of directors of EngenderHealth, a Washington DC based NGO working in women’s and girls sexual & reproductive health and rights in developing countries.
– Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) Certified Stand Up Paddle Instructor L1 & L2, SUP Yoga Instructor, Water Rescue Certificate
– CPR/AED/First Aid certified through Emergency First Response
TIM WOOD
Tim grew up immersed in southern California’s 1980’s surf and skate culture. He moved to New York for college and has been living on the east end with his family for the past 13 years.
He took up paddle boarding a few years ago to explore the beautiful flat waters of the Peconic Bay and was soon hooked on the sport, participating in the race around Shelter Island and getting into SUP surfing as well. An English professor by trade, he wanted to bring his teaching skills to the water and was grateful to find Gina Bradley who got him certified as an instructor and out into Three Mile Harbor passing on the pleasures of paddle boarding to people all ages.
AMY WORTHINGTON
Amy Worthington is Paddle Diva‘s, Chief Operating Officer. She hails from Rincon Puerto Rico but was born and raised in Princeton New Jersey. A graduate from the University of South Carolina she earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology, with a minor in Photography.
Amy has her ASI Level One and Level Two SUP Instructor certification, Surf Instructor, CPR certified and is a Life Guard. She is a candidate to become a Master trainer for the ASI where she will travel and train SUP Instruction globally. She is extremely knowledgeable on equipment and helps clients make the right choices when buying gear for the first time. As an environmentalist, Amy works closely with local conservation organizations like Surfrider, Oceana, Group for the East End among many others.
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At South Carolina, Amy was an officer in a completely student-run Mountaineering and White Water Rafting club, that brought students from all walks of life out into the wilderness for multiple days trips through caves, to barrier islands, and up mountains. Amy has a diverse background as an outdoor adventurist, open ocean sailor, and first mate as well as a tremendous depth of knowledge in the tourism industry. In the winters Amy runs Rincon Puerto Rico’s well-known surf school Road to Happiness that offers eco-tours, surf and paddleboard lessons, and a popular restaurant, El Patio. Amy hones her managerial skills in running all facets of this diverse and exciting tourist operation.
Her smile is infectious and her friendly open-minded attitude is what makes Amy one of Paddle Diva‘s most valued assets. Amy lives with her partner Matthew who is an equally compelling character as a rafting guide, surfer, chef, and jack of all trades. They live between NJ, The Hamptons, Northern California and Rincon through-out the year. Not ever to be missed is their sweet rescue dog, Canela, who showed up on her stoop one rainy night in Rincon and has never left their side!
AMY WORTHINGTON
Amy Worthington is Paddle Diva‘s, Chief Operating Officer. She hails from Rincon Puerto Rico but was born and raised in Princeton New Jersey. A graduate from the University of South Carolina she earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology, with a minor in Photography.
Amy has her ASI Level One and Level Two SUP Instructor certification, Surf Instructor, CPR certified and is a Life Guard. She is a candidate to become a Master trainer for the ASI where she will travel and train SUP Instruction globally. She is extremely knowledgeable on equipment and helps clients make the right choices when buying gear for the first time. As an environmentalist, Amy works closely with local conservation organizations like Surfrider, Oceana, Group for the East End among many others.
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At South Carolina, Amy was an officer in a completely student-run Mountaineering and White Water Rafting club, that brought students from all walks of life out into the wilderness for multiple days trips through caves, to barrier islands, and up mountains. Amy has a diverse background as an outdoor adventurist, open ocean sailor, and first mate as well as a tremendous depth of knowledge in the tourism industry. In the winters Amy runs Rincon Puerto Rico’s well-known surf school Road to Happiness that offers eco-tours, surf and paddleboard lessons, and a popular restaurant, El Patio. Amy hones her managerial skills in running all facets of this diverse and exciting tourist operation.
Her smile is infectious and her friendly open-minded attitude is what makes Amy one of Paddle Diva‘s most valued assets. Amy lives with her partner Matthew who is an equally compelling character as a rafting guide, surfer, chef, and jack of all trades. They live between NJ, The Hamptons, Northern California and Rincon through-out the year. Not ever to be missed is their sweet rescue dog, Canela, who showed up on her stoop one rainy night in Rincon and has never left their side!
TIM WOOD
Tim grew up immersed in southern California’s 1980’s surf and skate culture. He moved to New York for college and has been living on the east end with his family for the past 13 years.
He took up paddle boarding a few years ago to explore the beautiful flat waters of the Peconic Bay and was soon hooked on the sport, participating in the race around Shelter Island and getting into SUP surfing as well. An English professor by trade, he wanted to bring his teaching skills to the water and was grateful to find Gina Bradley who got him certified as an instructor and out into Three Mile Harbor passing on the pleasures of paddle boarding to people all ages.
LYLA FOREMAN
FREY WOOD
KAREN MARZO
Originally from sunny Sydney and a long time resident in Hong Kong, Karen has made the Hamptons her summer home since 1994. A water baby at heart, she’s spent years sailing, surfing and SUPing.
After a long career as a TV news anchor and having raised 3 sons, she found a new passion teaching SUP Yoga. After practicing yoga for 8 years, she did her 250 hour yoga teacher training with Yogapoint in Hong Kong and Nashik, India in 2016.
Karen loves the way the water adds both a challenge and a calming dimension to the yoga practice, and the beauty of the floating outdoor studio.
-
When not on the water, she can be found weeding or harvesting vegetables at her husband’s farm in Amagansett.
Back in Hong Kong, Karen runs her media consulting business Intermedia, teaching media and presentation skills, MCing events, and hosts a weekly radio show on sex and gender issues called The Agender Café. She serves on the board of directors of EngenderHealth, a Washington DC based NGO working in women’s and girls sexual & reproductive health and rights in developing countries.
– Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) Certified Stand Up Paddle Instructor L1 & L2, SUP Yoga Instructor, Water Rescue Certificate
– CPR/AED/First Aid certified through Emergency First Response
HELEN GIFFORD
Helen’s passion for Stand Up Paddling is augmented by living and working close to the bays in Sag Harbor and is a natural extension to her industrial design background. The backdrop of Hampton’s life adds to her success as a custom lighting fixture and wallpaper designer with her company, HelenBilt.
As a designer, Helen is known for known for her ability to look at a project from many angles, and for bringing a creative diligence to her clients’ vision. This same discipline applies with clients on the water, as she works to harmonize the aesthetic beauty of the various waterways with a fitness lifestyle.
-
Helen is a graduate of Parson’s School of Design, and has a degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Environmental Design, Policy and Planning.
An active member in the community, especially in the area of the arts, design, environment and public grounds, Helen currently serves as Chair for CTREE (Center for therapeutic Riding of the East End) and donates her times and fixtures to many local charities.
She was born in England and raised in Brunei and Montreal.
JENNIFER FORD
Jennifer lives between Manhattan and East Hampton, and has been coming to the Hamptons every summer since she was a baby. In 2009, Jennifer created Paddle Diva’s first fitness class–Power Up on a SUP!–and has competed in many paddle races in the area, most happily on a tandem board. A breast cancer survivor, she especially supports the annual Paddle for Pink/BCRF event each summer. Other favorite charities are A Walk on Water and Surfers Healing.
Jennifer is Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) certified, has her Yoga Alliance certification, is a certified Reiki Practitioner and has a 100 hour NAHA certification in Essential Oil Therapy. Additionally, she holds a degree in Applied Positive Psychology.
-
Jennifer brings elements of all her fields of expertise into her SUP fitness classes, focusing on the mind-body connection with an emphasis on stress relief through movement and immersion in nature (and a very challenging workout!).
When Jennifer isn’t on the water, she works within the nonprofit she co-founded, Bent On Learning. Bent On Learning is an organization that brings the practices of yoga and mindfulness into New York City under-served public schools. A former NYC public high school teacher, Jennifer has taught yoga and mindfulness to at-risk teens and children on the autism spectrum for over 25 years. Jennifer has two children, Chloe Rain (19) and Zachary Ocean (17) who both love the beach as much as she does. Jennifer loves to travel to beachy destinations with her life-partner (and surf enthusiast), Holly Rilinger.
MADDIE ANDERSON
THE PADDLE DIVA EXPERIENCE
THE PADDLE DIVA EXPERIENCE
The Transformative Power of SUP: the Paddle Diva Method
Developed by Gina Bradley, the Paddle Diva Method makes stand up paddle boarding accessible to everyone, even those who are apprehensive. Serving Long Island in New York, our paddle boarding program is Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) accredited and fuses together Bradley’s 25 years of water sports experience with elements of life coaching that make for a unique and sought after experience.
Join us for a beginner SUP Lesson or any SUP experience and see for yourself!
WHAT IS STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING?
WHAT IS STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING?
Stand up paddle boarding — known as SUP — is one of the best sports around for working your core muscles, upper body and legs. It’s an ancient form of transportation from the Hawaiian Islands, and has reemerged as a way for people to enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers and bays while getting a full-body workout.
Everybody can learn how to SUP – young and old, from the most athletic to the least. Using a one-bladed paddle while standing on a longer, wider board (with a bit more volume than a typical surfboard) you can be paddling and cruising along with about an hour of instruction.
Proper paddling and more advanced board maneuvering techniques can be learned as part of an on-going instruction process but is totally optional, so unlike the more technical sports you can excel at stand up paddle boarding right out of the gate!
WHY PADDLE?
WHY PADDLE?
People who SUP regularly (three times a week) build amazing core strength, arm muscles and overall body alignment. It is the only sport out there that literally works every muscle from head to toe. Turn our SUP lessons and SUP group paddles into a highly-effective workout routine.
SUP is a great way to spend time with your friends or family, doing a sport together, enjoying the scenery and conversation from a totally new perspective. If you get hot, jump in!
Unlike surfing, SUP is not a humbling sport and nowhere as difficult to learn. One feels ENERGETIC and EMPOWERED as they master the board, glide across a bay, explore waterways and salt marshes and even get out into the deep.