Forget crunches, sit-ups and Pilates, Hawaiian paddle boarding delivers six-pack abs and inner peace. Now Raymond Cabral is bringing the sport to Mattapoisett Harbor.

Cabral, a Mattapoisett resident, first saw people paddle boarding on a surfing trip to Hawaii with his sons. Usually wider than a surfboard, Hawaiians first used paddle boards to row between islands.

“People have taken a very basic idea the Hawaiians came up with and run with it using modern composite and modern designs,” said Cabral.

With standup paddle boarding (often abbreviated SUP), paddle boarders use a long oar to row. Cabral said people race and even fish on their boards.

“It’s good for the core. It’s a total workout,” said Cabral. “But to me the biggest benefit is being on the water.”

Cabral, who has over 40 years of experience as a surfer, got his first paddle board on his sixtieth birthday. Now, two years later, he straps his board to the roof of his Volvo at least four times a week to hit the water, paddling in Mattapoisett and Sippican Harbors, Mattapoisett River, Buttermilk Bay and other area waterways.

With a dry suit to stay warm, Cabral said he can paddle in almost “any tide, any water”.

“It’s crazy how fast the sport is growing,” he said. The sport has been gaining popularity in New England, although only a few locals have boards.

“Every time I go out people are always asking what it is,” said Cabral. Prompted by friends, Cabral decided to offer one on one lessons this summer.

Cabral, a soccer coach for 17 years, said teaching the classes will be an extension of what he already does.

“It’s a quick learning curve,” he said. “I usual start people out with flat water first.”

Cabral recently taught his stepbrother the sport.

“He doesn’t even swim,” he said. “We were on the ocean so there were swells, but at the end of the hour he was up and psyched.”

Ever a coach, Cabral insists anyone can learn stand up paddle boarding.

“It’s good no matter how old you are, and there’s no impact if you wipe out.”

Learning to balance on the board isn’t as hard as people think, he said.

“It’s all about muscle memory,” he said. “As your brain realizes what’s going on with your equilibrium and the water, it has your muscles adjust.”

Once his classes are established, Cabral wants to consider selling boards so people can get the right one for their needs. He also hopes to organize excursions to nearby islands.

But for Cabral, the peacefulness of paddle boarding is the best part.

“The solitude is unbelievable. You can’t beat it,” he said.

For more information on paddle boarding, contact Raymond Cabral at 508-758-9067 or raymcabral@verizon.net.