By Jade Watkins

Last updated at 9:35 PM on 23rd November 2011

She starred in Soul Surfer earlier this year, a film based on the real life story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack.

And it seems that Helen Hunt is still very taken with the water, as she enjoyed some paddle boarding in Hawaii this week.

The 48-year-old actor was spotted way out in the surf on Monday, using her toned figure to steer a long surfboard.

The Mad About You star showed off the results of her surfing prowess, with her fit physique on display in a pair of black bikini bottoms and a bright green rash vest adorned with a peace symbol.

The sporty star slicked her wet hair back in a pony tail which she tucked back in a cap.

Paddle boarding requires similar skills to surfing, a sport which has become one of Helen's favourite hobbies after learning the water sport in order to play the role of Cheri Hamilton in Soul Surfer, which was released this September.

The film follows the story Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm when she was bitten by a shark whilst surfing in 2003 when she was just 13-years-old.

'I'm comfortable on my board,' she told Reelz Channel during promotion for the movie.

'If the waves get too big, I become uncomfortable very quickly.'

'But if the waves are nice and small I love the sport and I was lucky enough to have a little bit of a leg up there before we started.'

Meanwhile, Helen is swapping her Manhattan life to go back to her Californian roots.

The actress has put her Manhattan apartment on the market for $2.75 million.

According to The Wall Street Journal, she wants to spend more time in Los Angeles at her $4.6m five bedroom sprawling mansion.

Located in the Upper East Side, the circa-1915 art-deco loft has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The residence features more amenities including modern kitchen appliances, but possess antique charms with it's hardwood floors, decorative fireplaces, and lighting.

A popular area in the Big Apple, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, and Madonna all own home in the vicinity. 

Helen is currently filming the drama Decoding Annie Parker, alongside Rashida Jones, Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul and Sex And The City 2 Alice Eve.

She is also set to shoot Relative Insanity, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's classic play The Seagull, with David Duchovany and Maggie Grace, and is also set to star in Serpent Girl, alongside Armie Hammer and Kate Bodsworth.

Helen and her partner of 10 years Matthew Carnahan have a seven-year-old daughter, Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan.