For expert paddlers or those looking to dip their paddle in the water for the first time, the sixth annual Northwest Paddling Festival is THE place to be to get started for a summer on the water. Held at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7, the festival is the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Hailing from El Cerrito, California, Haakon Hoyer-Nielsen is rising the ranks in the stand up paddle (SUP) world in both SUP surfing and racing having become a podium regular in practically every event he attends. Haakon trains in the San Francisco Bay, has already finished his first Molokai 2 Oahu race, is a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, works year round as a lifeguard and consistently makes high honors as a sophomore at Saint Mary's College High School. Get to know this rising SUP star here:

Have a look at what paddle boarding during the winter looks like on Lake Superior. This video was shot throughout the months of January and February 2016 and captures the lake's stunning scenes. -20 degree Fahrenheit air drives the steam out of the lake as shown early in the video which the locals call sea smoke.

At Corners, Carlin Park, in Jupiter Beach, Florida paddle boarder Maximo Trinidad had quite the run in during his lunch break. While SUP surfing, out of nowhere a jumping shark collided with Maximo and knocks him off his board, scaring the living daylights out of him!

The original water women movement continues to build community above competition. The Butterfly Effect is hosting its annual all women’s 3-mile paddle event on April 16th, 2016. The non-competitive paddle starts at 9am from Paia Youth & Cultural Center and ends at Kanaha Beach Park. Women will have the option to use any sort of "woman powered" paddle vessel such as kayaks, canoes, and standup paddle boards.

The 6th Annual Golden Games is scheduled to take place May 20th-22nd, 2016 in Golden, Colorado. The Golden Games was recognized by Elevation Outdoors as the “Best Paddling Event in the Rockies” – 2016! Learn more about the sixth edition of this awesome event!

The MR340, a 340 mile paddling race on the Missouri River will take place on July 19th, 2016 and no female has ever crossed the finish line. This year, Lauren Rodriguez will attempt at being one of the first, if not the first, female to finish this race and all alongside her team of eight including Shane Perrin, who once held the World Record for longest paddle in 24 hours. As only one of two females entering the race this year Lauren is determined to not only cross the finish line but to also raise funds and awareness for GoRedforWomen.

The seventh annual Mickey Munoz Mongoose Cup to benefit the Sport of Kings Foundation will be held Saturday April 9, 2016 at Dana Cove Park (Baby Beach), Dana Point Harbor. Mickey and his friends will join many of the world’s best paddlers for a special fundraiser and a great day of paddling fun and competition.

If you’re looking to step up your game in SUP surfing and you want to get away for a bit the SUP-Surf Retreat in Punta Mita, Mexico is exactly what you need. Hosted by SUP Pro Sean Pointer and surfing legend Ian Cairns, the retreat is based around a SUP surfing coaching and learning experience that mixes in a 5-star luxurious vacation experience.

On Saturday, April 16, Los Angeles Waterkeeper invites clean water supporters and outdoors enthusiasts to Stand Up for Clean Water — one of the largest stand-up paddle boarding events in Los Angeles and a Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Series Event presented nationally by Toyota and locally by Whole Foods Market.

Each May, OluKai holds its annual premier paddling festival on Maui’s north shore to celebrate Hawaiian culture and the traditions that surround this community. The event brings together both elite athletes competing in the world’s best SUP and OC1 races (highlighted by the legendary Maliko Downwind Run) and is also a gathering of friends and family-friendly activities in a celebration of the ocean and cultures that surround it. This year, the Olukai will take place April 29- May 2, 2016 at Kahana Beach Park on Maui.

Caio Vaz just seems to go from strength to strength, and has once again found winning form at the 2016 Sunset Beach Pro, his second victory at this iconic break on Oahu's Fabled North Shore.