If you’ve haven’t quite mastered the knack for surfing and can’t afford a yacht just yet, you could try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding. Perfect for a lazy sunny afternoon (and refining that six pack you have been working on at the gym), paddle boarding is as simple as standing on a board and propelling yourself along with a paddle.

When learning, you can try kneeling rather than standing until your balance and core strength improves. Calmer waters such as Noosa River, Currimundi Lake on the Sunshine Coast and Currumbin Creek at the Gold Coast will provide the best conditions for learning. When you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can venture out into the surf and use the paddle to propel yourself along the waves.

You’ll need a paddle board and paddle for this (you could also use a longboard) – if you don’t happen to have a friend who you can borrow the goods from, there are plenty of places dotted along the coast where you can hire equipment.