First boards, first lessons & paws on deck: Taylor Fieux & Koa the Mighty take on the Honu Byron

A first paddleboard often becomes the benchmark for every board that follows. Long after the details are forgotten, most paddlers remember how that first board felt beneath their feet – the confidence it inspired, the lessons learned and the adventures that came with it.

Yet choosing that first board can feel overwhelming and finding the right fit often comes down to actual time on the water and practical experience. For those sharing adventures with a four-legged companion, the decision can be even more important, as dogs bring an extra layer of movement and unpredictability to the board.

To draw on personal experience, we caught up with Taylor Fieux, 32, and her dog Koa the Mighty from Los Angeles, California. Taylor regularly shares her training tips and paddleboarding adventures online, and her first board was the popular Byron model from Australian brand Honu.

Available in 9’8 and 10’6 sizes, the Byron is designed as an approachable all-round board. The 9’8 version is particularly well suited to lighter paddlers seeking a stable, confidence-inspiring platform that remains easy to carry, handle, and manoeuvre both on and off the water.

Honu boards are known for their rigidity, a characteristic highlighted in reviews, including by Mr TotalSUP himself. The brand’s advanced X-Woven construction delivers exceptional stiffness and a hardboard-like feel that responds efficiently to every paddle stroke. Combined with a lower deck height, the result is improved balance and control, helping the board feel intuitive, connected, and reassuringly stable on the water.

For Taylor, that sense of stability played an important role during her early time on the water, alongside the training drills and non-negotiables that have shaped her approach to paddleboarding.

Hi Taylor, welcome to TotalSUP! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and Koa? How did your SUP journey begin?

I’ve always been an outdoor kid at heart. I was born in Hawaii and raised in California, so my childhood was filled with ocean swims, climbing trees, rolling around in the grass, and chasing whatever adventure the day brought. Looking back, some of my happiest memories were moments spent outdoors. It’s where I feel most grounded, free, and connected to myself.

I’ve always had a special connection to the water. Whether I’m in the ocean, on a lake, or simply sitting near a body of water, it’s where I find the most peace. There’s something about being near water that quiets the noise of everyday life and helps me feel present.

As I got older, life got busy and I slowly lost touch with some of the things that brought me the most joy. I work in production, which can be incredibly rewarding but also demanding. The schedules are often unpredictable and the hours are long. Unfortunately, the stress started to take a real toll on me, both mentally and physically. I realized I was spending so much time working that I wasn’t leaving much room for the things I enjoy.

Thankfully, I found a new job surrounded by incredible people who genuinely value work-life balance. So when I left my old job, I made a promise to myself to spend more time outside and get back into the activities that bring me joy.

Around this time, I also knew I wanted a furry friend to share those adventures with. I came across a photo of my dog online and instantly fell in love. When I met him in person, I knew he was meant to be my adventure buddy. I named him Koa, which means “warrior” or “brave” in Hawaiian, because it felt like a reminder of exactly what I needed at that point in my life.

Koa may be small, but he is absolutely mighty. As we started exploring together, it quickly became clear that he was built for adventure. On our hikes, he confidently crossed streams, scrambled over rocks, and approached every trail with curiosity and excitement. With how much he loved being outside, I knew I wanted to start sharing more of my favorite outdoor activities with him.

What made you choose Honu boards for your start in SUP? What stood out about them?

To be honest, I did not know much about paddleboard specs when I first started. I had mostly just used whatever rental boards were available. So when I decided I wanted my own, I started doing research, which quickly led me down a Reddit rabbit hole.

The SUP community on Reddit was extremely helpful. I found answers to questions I did not even know I had, and there is a moderator on there who was a former guide who helps people narrow down board options based on height, weight, and intended use. That gave me a much clearer idea of what would actually work for me.

From there, I started looking into different brands, and Honu immediately stood out. I am pretty simple, so I was drawn to how clean and minimal their boards looked.

The more I read, the more I liked them. It might sound a little cheesy, but I also really liked the name. Honu means green sea turtle in Hawaiian, which felt like a nice connection back to Hawaii and the water in general.

Beyond that, people on Reddit consistently talked about how well made the boards are, and I also appreciated the brand’s focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, including their efforts around eco-conscious materials and protecting waterways.

What really stood out though was the brand itself. After I got my board, they actually reached out and started messaging me about my adventures with it. You can tell there is a lot of care and pride behind what they make. It just felt like a brand that aligned with what I was looking for, and I have really loved being part of their community since.

How would you describe your first impressions of the Honu board on the water – in terms of stability, glide, and overall feel?

My first impressions were really positive. I do not have a ton to compare it to beyond rental boards. People consistently described Honu boards as being really well built, stable, and great for both beginners and more experienced paddlers who want something reliable and not overly complicated. That was pretty much my experience too.

Compared to rentals, it felt a lot more solid underfoot, which I really notice with Koa on board. He is very curious and will walk up and down the board when he spots a duck, so that extra stability makes everything feel more relaxed and thankfully keeps his curiosity from turning into a swim lesson for both of us.

Overall, I am really happy I went with Honu, and grateful to the Reddit community for helping me find a board I love. It has honestly made getting out on the water a lot more fun than I expected.

How did the idea of having your doggo, Koa the Mighty, join your SUP adventures first come about?

It came about pretty naturally. Koa has always been curious and wants to be part of whatever is going on, so he was already involved in most of my outdoor adventures already.

Paddleboarding was something I had tried before and really enjoyed, but I was not actively doing it at the time. As Koa and I started spending more time outdoors together, it felt like the perfect opportunity to get back into it and see if he would enjoy it too. From there, it just became something we could learn and experience together.

What was Koa’s very first reaction to getting on the SUP board, and how did you introduce him to it?

When I first got Koa, he was only about 4 months old, so we were not going outside right away. We spent a lot of time doing basic puppy training indoors and getting him comfortable with new objects.

When I first brought the paddleboard into the mix, I started by inflating it inside my apartment (which I am sure my neighbours loved). That way he could just go at his own pace and get comfortable with it without any pressure. Once it was fully set up, he hopped on it right away.

He is very food motivated, so training was fairly easy most of the time. I taught him a “center” command so he would sit between my legs on the board, and he picked that up quickly. From there, I slowly introduced him to his life vest and worked on basic commands while he was on the board to help build his confidence. I also let him sniff the paddle and gradually started moving it around him so he could get used to having it nearby and in motion before we ever got on the water.

Once he had all of his puppy shots and we were able to go outside, his first time on the water was in the marina. He was a little cautious at first, but still willing to get on the board and stay close. From there, we slowly increased our time on the water in small increments, and with each outing he seemed a little more relaxed.

What’s been the biggest challenge in combining paddle training with dog training on the water? Any funny or surprising moments so far?

The biggest challenge has honestly been getting him comfortable with the noise of the pump. He is pretty sensitive to certain sounds like the pump and even things like blow dryers, so building up his comfort with that part took time, and honestly is still a work in progress. I usually just take it slow and keep it positive with lots of treats and reassurance. The funny thing is, the moment the board is fully inflated, he is completely fine and ready to go like nothing ever happened.

On our first real outing, he was definitely still figuring everything out. He was pacing a lot on the board and kept getting a little too close to the edge. I remember audibly saying to him, “you are going to fall in if you keep doing that,” and sure enough, he did. It felt like it happened in slow motion, and I was laughing so hard and had to grab him by his Ruffwear life jacket and pull him back up.

He looked SO confused and embarrassed, but totally okay. I think he learned pretty quickly after that to give the edge a bit more space. He has not fallen in since 😂

Do you have any routines or tips for keeping your dog comfortable and safe during sessions?

For me, it is mostly about reading him and not rushing things. I pay attention to how he is doing before we even get on the board. If he seems a bit anxious, especially from the noise of inflating, I just slow things down and take my time with the whole process. Sometimes I will set the board aside for a bit and let him walk up and down the beach to get some of that nervous energy out, but most times he is totally fine and ready to jump on right away.

Once we are on the board, I try to keep things pretty predictable for him. He has his spot in the center, and we usually hang out in the launch area first where the water is calmer before heading out where things can get a little bumpier. It helps him settle in and adjust before we go further out.

Most of it is just paying attention to him and adjusting as we go. I just want it to feel easy for both of us.

What other gear are you using for your SUP adventures with Koa, and are there any essentials you wouldn’t go on the water without?

Life vests are non-negotiable for both of us. Koa wears a Ruffwear one and I use an Astral vest. I also always bring a good amount of water for both of us since things can heat up quickly, and I want to make sure he stays comfortable the whole time. Treats are another must for us, mostly because we are still in the early stages of all of this and I want to keep it as positive and fun as possible for him.

Outside of that, I always make sure I am aware of local water rules before heading out, whether that is life vest requirements, leash rules, or any permits needed for day use depending on the area. That part is easy to overlook but really important.

For other essentials, I always bring a dry bag for my keys and phone, sunscreen for longer sessions, and salt tablets for myself. I have POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), so when the weather gets hot, having that extra electrolyte boost can make a big difference. I also usually wear a sun hoodie or UV shirt, which helps a lot when we are out for a while.

There are definitely times when it feels like I am overpacking my dry bag, even for shorter sessions, but I would much rather be prepared and not need something than wish I had brought it later. It is really just about staying prepared so we can focus on enjoying our time on the water.

Where are you and Koa heading this season – do you have any specific paddling adventures destinations planned?

We just got back from Big Bear, where we paddled around the Boulder Bay Park area for about an hour. It was pretty choppy that day, so I did not want to push it too much, but it was still really nice to get out there. I would love to go back and explore the lake more when the water is a bit calmer.

We have mostly been sticking to the same marina, so lately I have been trying to branch out and check out some new spots around California. A few places on the list are Lake Tahoe, La Jolla Cove, Catalina Island, June Lake, Convict Lake, and Twin Lakes. We are still figuring it all out as we go, but the goal is definitely to explore more of California together and keep collecting new adventures one paddle at a time.

To find out more about HONU, visit honuboards.com

Follow HONU on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Follow Taylor and Koa the Mighty on Instagram

*Images courtesy of Taylor and Koa