YES!!!!
Many ask me this question. For folks living near the ocean or even near the banks of a lake, Nordic Walking is a great way to get out and enjoy the marine air.
When you look at the bottom of your poles, you will see a small basket attached.
Note the small basket
These are similar to the over-sized baskets found on ski poles. They have the same function… to keep your poles from sinking down. Snow or soft soil / sand – same idea.
The top photo (courtesy the American Nordic Walking Association), shows folks spinning away near the Pacific. ANWA is located in Santa Monica and this is a great way to get off the couch. Notice that they seem to be moving along, briskly. PUSH, PUSH, PUSH.
RELATED READ – Listen to Laura and her Nordic Walking experience.
You’ll need to check the surface you plan to walk on. I find that at Santa Cruz (a half hour away), the best sand is near the water line. It seems to be firmer there without being soggy. Further inland it gets like the Gobi dessert….too soft.
You can easily perform the same techniques as on asphalt. Plus you have a nice protection stick to keep dogs and sharks off you! Why, you can even rig up some string and go fishing with your poles!
I keep a pair in the trunk of my car, for those times when I have several minutes to kill; I can just pull the poles out and hit it.
Carpe Diem!!