With summer officially here, Southern Californians are heading out into the ocean, in search of adventure. Kayaking is a great way to stay cool in the summer, get a fantastic workout and, in many cases, catch a glimpse of the local sea life.   Hold your paddle correctly. It’s important to hold the paddle correctly, with hands shoulder-width apart (or wider), with an overhand grip. Keep arms fully extended away from the body and don’t T-Rex! There are two sides to the paddle–scoop and spine. When paddling forward, keep the scoop side of the paddle facing towards you. When paddling backwards, have the spine facing towards you.   Don’t just pull the paddle or you will quickly tire out your shoulders. When pulling the paddle side in the water towards you, focus also on pushing the paddle side out of the water away from your body. This will help ensure you are using multiple muscle groups instead of making your shoulders do all the work. When paddling, remember to twist your torso into the movement. This will help maintain your center of gravity, produce more efficient strokes and utilize more of your body.   Getting in and out of the kayak…

Just in time for International Surf Day on June 21, Duke Jarboe, brand manager at SoCal lifestyle and ocean adventure company Everyday California, has provided tips for taking up surfing.   Surfing can be a spiritual experience, offering an intense connection to the ocean. There’s nothing truly like it out there. It can be serene and peaceful, and is also a great way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors.  It is also important to understand that the ever-changing conditions of the ocean make surfing not only a demanding physical activity, but also a mental challenge in determining how, when and where to hit the surf.   If the ocean is calling your name this summer, and you’re looking to take up surfing, below are tips on getting started:   Try Before You Buy. Surfing can be an expensive sport. So,before you go out and spend a large chunk of change on a beautiful high-performance shortboard from Firewire, check out your local rental shops and rent a nice big foamy longboard that’s 9’6 or longer—which is an ideal size for beginners. Thebigger the board, the easier it is to surf.   Get the Essentials. If you’re lucky enough to begin your surfing journey in warm waters, then all you’ll need is a…