SUP Experience in Volosko opens the summer part of the Opatija – oasis of health and wellness project
The summer edition of the Opatija – oasis of health and wellness project begins on Saturday, 6 June 2026, with the SUP Experience programme in Volosko. According to the announcement by the City of Opatija, it is a free experiential course in stand-up paddleboarding, intended for beginners, which will be held under the expert guidance of instructors from the VOP SUP Team. The programme starts at 9 a.m. by the water polo pool in Volosko, and the expected duration is about two hours. The number of places is limited, so prior registration is required for participation, no later than 24 hours before the event. The organiser also notes that, in the event of an unfavourable weather forecast, it reserves the right to change the date.
The programme is held as part of a broader cycle through which Opatija connects health tourism, recreation, time spent in nature, wellness and educational workshops throughout the year. In the announcement, the City of Opatija points out that Opatija has held the status of a health destination for 137 years, ever since 1889, when it was declared an imperial climatic health resort. Today, that historical framework continues through healthcare institutions, wellness centres and public programmes aimed at an active and healthy lifestyle. The summer part of the project therefore begins precisely at the sea, through an activity that combines movement, balance, time outdoors and getting to know the Opatija coast from a different perspective. For visitors who wish to combine the programme with a longer stay in Kvarner, it is useful to check accommodation offers in Opatija in good time, especially because of summer dates and the expected higher demand.
A free beginner course with VOP SUP Team instructors
SUP Experience is designed as an introductory programme for people who want to learn the basics of stand-up paddleboarding. According to data from the Opatija Tourist Board, the course is held under the guidance of a licensed instructor, and the meeting point is planned in Volosko, by the water polo pool. During the programme, participants will receive basic instructions on using the board and paddle, body position, maintaining balance and moving safely at sea. Since this is a beginner programme, the goal is not a sports competition, but a safe introduction to a form of recreation that has become increasingly recognisable in coastal destinations in recent years. From the visitor’s perspective, an added value is the view of Volosko, the Opatija coast and the surrounding area from the sea.
According to the announcement by the City of Opatija, participation is free, but registration is mandatory due to the limited number of places. When registering, it is necessary to provide the participant’s name and surname and mobile phone number, while information and registrations are handled by the Opatija Tourist Information Centre. The published contact for registrations is the telephone number +385 51 271 310, or the e-mail address tic@visitOpatija.com. The organisers recommend not leaving registration until the last moment because the programme is held in a small group, with the need to coordinate equipment, instructors and safety conditions. Such a format enables beginners to receive enough attention, but it also means that the number of participants must be controlled in advance.
Who can participate and what to bring
Participants in the programme must be swimmers and without health difficulties, states the Opatija Tourist Board. Children older than eight may participate, but only with the mandatory accompaniment of a parent, which must be stated when registering. Apart from a swimsuit, no additional equipment is required, because the programme is designed to allow beginners to enter the activity easily without special preparation. The organiser recommends bringing a bottle of water, a hat and sunscreen, which is especially important for morning and late-morning summer outdoor activities. Participation is at one’s own risk, and the decision on any possible change of date depends on weather conditions and the organiser’s safety assessment.
Recommendations on sun protection and sufficient fluid intake are particularly relevant in the summer period. In its recommendations for protection from heat, the Croatian Institute of Public Health emphasises the importance of avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, drinking enough fluids and exercising caution during high temperatures. Although SUP Experience is held at 9 a.m., when conditions are generally more favourable than in the middle of the day, being at sea and reflection from the water surface can increase the feeling of heat and exposure to the sun. For that reason, a hat, water and sunscreen are practical recommendations, not just formal notes. People who have health concerns should realistically assess their condition before registering, because the programme involves movement on water and the ability to swim.
Volosko as the natural stage of the programme
The choice of Volosko for the beginning of the summer part of the project fits into the image of Opatija as a destination that often connects its programmes with the sea, promenades, nature and recreational content. Volosko is one of the recognisable parts of the Opatija area, and the location by the water polo pool enables practical access to the sea and the organisation of activities on the water. For beginners, such surroundings are important because they provide a clear meeting point, simple orientation and the possibility of carrying out the programme in controlled conditions. The announcement by the Tourist Board emphasises that SUP Experience also offers a unique view of Volosko and its surroundings from the sea. It is precisely this combination of recreation and experience of place that makes the programme more than a classic sports slot.
In the Oasis of Health and Wellness project, Opatija uses its own natural advantages as part of the programme identity. In the project description, the City of Opatija mentions the position between the slopes of Učka and the Adriatic Sea, the mild Mediterranean climate, clean air and the natural environment as elements that historically shaped its health and wellness profile. In this context, SUP Experience continues a longer-lasting story, but is adapted to the contemporary habits of recreational users and visitors who are looking for active time outdoors. The programme does not represent a medical service, but a publicly accessible recreational activity that relies on the sea, movement and time spent in a natural setting. Such an approach enables Opatija to present the tradition of health tourism through activities that are understandable and accessible to a wider audience.
Opatija’s health tradition has lasted since 1889
According to data from the City of Opatija, Emperor Franz Joseph I officially declared Opatija a climatic health resort on 4 March 1889. The City states that Opatija thereby became the first seaside climatic health resort of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy on the Adriatic. That status played an important role in the development of a place that gradually grew from a coastal settlement into a well-known destination for holidays, recovery and health tourism. The historical spa tradition was based not only on the hotel offer, but also on climatic features, the coastal area, promenades and the connection of the sea with the mild mountainous hinterland. Today’s programmes, including Opatija – oasis of health and wellness, seek to translate that identity into the contemporary language of public activities, education, recreation and preventive care for health.
In the announcement of the 2026 project, the City of Opatija points out that this year’s edition takes place through a series of programmes that connect physical activity, personal care and mindful presence with the natural features of the destination. The programme began on 1 March with the workshop Rock samphire – retinol from the sea, and it has been announced that it will last until 5 December, when Nordic walking is planned. Within that range there are walks, workshops, outdoor activities, anti-stress programmes and content that includes different levels of physical fitness. The summer SUP Experience is one part of that calendar, intended for those who want to try an activity at sea without competitive pressure. In this way, the project expands beyond classic indoor wellness and emphasises an active relationship with the destination.
Dates during the summer
The first summer date of this year’s SUP Experience has been announced for Saturday, 6 June 2026. According to the official website of the Opatija Tourist Board, the programme then continues on 20 June, 4 July, 18 July, 1 August and 8 August. All dates are scheduled to start at 9 a.m., with a duration of approximately two hours. Such a schedule enables participation for those who come to Opatija only for the weekend, as well as for visitors who stay there longer during the summer season. Since the dates take place outdoors and at sea, the final implementation of each programme depends on weather conditions.
The schedule through June, July and August shows that SUP Experience does not rely on just one promotional date, but is designed as recurring summer content. This is useful for all those who cannot participate on 6 June or who want to register during the holiday period. For visitors planning to arrive from outside Opatija, the advance schedule makes it easier to organise travel, registration and stay, especially if the programme is combined with other events or wellness content. In that case, it is practical to check accommodation near the programme venue in advance, because the summer dates overlap with a period of increased tourist traffic. At the same time, the organiser clearly states that registration is necessary no later than 24 hours in advance, which remains the key condition for participation.
An active holiday without competitive pressure
SUP, or stand-up paddleboarding, is a recreational activity in which one stands on a board and moves using a paddle. The announcement by the City of Opatija highlights that such recreation activates the whole body, improves balance and coordination, and provides a feeling of relaxation and connection with the surroundings. In the context of the Opatija programme, the emphasis is on the beginner experience, not on advanced sports techniques or competition. This is important because it removes some of the uncertainty among people who are encountering this activity for the first time. The programme therefore has an educational, recreational and experiential component, while the sea becomes a space for learning and a moderate physical challenge.
In its general recommendations for adults, the World Health Organization emphasises the importance of regular physical activity, including moderate-intensity activities and exercises that involve larger muscle groups. Although a single two-hour course cannot be viewed as a substitute for regular weekly activity, it can be an incentive to create healthier habits and to include movement in leisure time. Such an approach is particularly suitable for destinations that do not want to rely exclusively on passive holidays, but offer visitors content that combines time outdoors and light education. In Opatija, this continues the already established reputation of a health and wellness destination. SUP Experience thus functions as a public introduction to an activity that is accessible to beginners, but still requires responsibility and respect for safety rules.
Part of a broader programme that lasts throughout the year
Opatija – oasis of health and wellness is not limited only to summer activities at sea. According to the announcement by the City of Opatija, this year’s programme includes Nordic walking, hiking along historical trails, Thalasso Cardio Walk accompanied by a physiotherapist, mindfulness workshops, home wellness and care, and other content scheduled from March to December. In the spring and autumn parts, the emphasis is on walks and workshops that can be adapted to different interests and fitness levels. Summer brings activities that use the proximity of the sea, including SUP Experience and the Reset through the frequency of waves workshop. Such a schedule gives the project seasonal dynamics and enables Opatija to deal with the health and wellness theme throughout the year, not only in one promotional period.
The City of Opatija states that all activities are free, with mandatory prior registration for programmes in which the number of participants is limited, except for Nordic walking. This opens the programme to a wider audience, while at the same time retaining the organisational framework needed for quality implementation. For the local community, such content can mean additional activation of public space and natural resources, while for visitors it represents a way to get to know the destination through experience, not only through sightseeing. Opatija thereby relies on its existing identity, but complements it with contemporary formats that include recreation, education and responsible use of space. The summer SUP Experience is therefore not an isolated event, but part of a broader effort to connect wellness with real, accessible and concrete activities.
How to register
Registrations for SUP Experience are handled through the Opatija Tourist Information Centre. According to official information, interested persons can contact the telephone number +385 51 271 310 or the e-mail address tic@visitOpatija.com. Registration must be completed no later than 24 hours before the selected date, and it is necessary to provide the participant’s name and surname and mobile phone number. For children older than eight, it is mandatory to state that they are participating accompanied by a parent. Due to the limited number of places, timely registration is recommended, especially for dates in July and August.
The first date, 6 June 2026, opens the summer part of the project and brings an introduction to the season of activities at sea. Those who miss it will have five more opportunities during the summer, provided they register in time and weather conditions allow the programme to be held. The organiser has clearly stated the safety conditions, the required level of ability and practical recommendations, so participants can know what to expect before arrival. In that sense, SUP Experience remains a simply structured programme: gathering in Volosko, basic equipment, expert guidance, two hours at sea and the possibility of experiencing Opatija from a different perspective. For a destination that has been building its health tradition for more than a century, such a format represents a contemporary and accessible continuation of the same story.
Sources:
- Provided source text – initial information about the SUP Experience programme and the Opatija – oasis of health and wellness project
- City of Opatija – announcement of the SUP Experience programme, 6 June 2026 date, participation conditions and registration contact (link)
- Opatija Tourist Board – official page of the SUP Experience programme with dates, location and notes for participants (link)
- City of Opatija – overview of the Opatija – oasis of health and wellness project for 2026 and description of year-round activities (link)
- City of Opatija – historical data on the declaration of Opatija as a climatic health resort in 1889 (link)
- World Health Organization – general recommendations on the importance of physical activity for health (link)
- Croatian Institute of Public Health – recommendations for protection from heat, fluid intake and caution when exposed to the sun (link)