What is Stand Up Paddle Surfing? by Bobby Jackson
If you’re the sort of person who enjoys taking up new sports then you’ll know its always a buzz to take up a sport that is itself brand new.
Its a great feeling being the first one in your area to do something, creating attention while you are doing it and then there’s the great sense of camaraderie that forms as more early adopters get into it. Granted, being in at the birth of something dangerous like downhill mountainbiking while the equipment is still having major design flaws worked out is a bit worrying but as far as we’ve found out so far stand up paddleboarding isn’t a life threatening sport so those concerns aren’t there!
The beginnings of SUP can be traced back to firstly the 1960s beach boy era and before that to the sea fairing Polynesians who used it as a form of transport. In its modern incarnation the sport can be said to have started in 2002 when a group of Hawaiian watermen rediscovered the joys of SUP on a day when the wind was down and the sea was calm. They soon realized the fun that it could give, the strength workout they got from it and also the great benefits to their core fitness and legs muscles. The larger boards and the extra speed that the paddling action gave them allowed them to catch more waves as well as carving tighter turns with the aid of the paddle
Originally it was the sole preserve of this select group but slowly the idea caught on throughout the Hawaiian islands and in no time respected locals like Laird Hamilton and Jimmy Lewis started fabricating their own boards which were in turn marketed to a larger worldwide audience. This new sport soon came to the attention of the established windsurfing brands and companies more geared up to large scale production like mistral added the boards to their portfolio and the global push began in earnest.
Stand up paddleboarding was originally targeted at windsurfers who wanted to get out on the water when there was no wind and who were used to standing up on a board. Originally many of them dismissed it as a gimmick but once they actually tried it for themselves they were hooked.
Even though at the time of writing the sport is officially 7 years old in many countries it is only in its 2nd or 3rd year and the pace of advance will be fast, both in terms of design improvements and user take up. If you are reading this article and you can swim ok, standup and aren’t hydrophobic then there’s a high chance you would enjoy at least one of the aspects of this great new sport
For starters its not just about waveriding. Spend any sort of time browsing online and you can easily come away with the impression that its just a surfing sport. Originally it was, but its true potential with be in bringing watersports to the masses of people who live miles away from the sea. Just like with canoeing most people use them on rivers and lakes rather than out in the surf lineup. Whether its for going exploring, going on expeditions, meeting up with like minded people or just for getting away from it for a couple of hours then SUP can do all that and more. We all know canoeing and kayaking can be fun but standing up on a board is even more fun! There’s something about the upright position allowing you to see more that leads to a much more rewarding experience whether its being able to look down at the fishes or over hedges and bushes for a better view while paddling along or just watching the water pass rhythmically under the front of the board as you glide along.
If you do live within driving distance of a beach then the large size of the board compared to a regular surf board means you have got more chance of getting some surf time in, even if your local spot isn’t renowned for a big swell. The extra buoyancy a SUP board gives over mini mals and longboards means you’ll be catching waves no matter how small the conditions are, either away from the regular overcrowded surf spots or when the conditions are flatter and the surfing brethren are waiting on land for the conditions to pick up a bit.
Either way taking the plunge with the great sport of SUP means you are going to benefit from some fantastic strength training, a great core workout and the chance to switch off from it all while exploring lakes and rivers or hitting the lesser known surf spots all year round.
For more information on SUP check out http://www.supmagic.com
About the Author
Bobby Jackson has been contributing articles to http://www.supmagic.com when he isn’t out on the water.
surf fishing, homemade Fishing Rod holder
|
|
Woman and Two Men All Are Wearing Surf Fishing Gear Photographic Poster Print by H. Armstrong Roberts, 12×16 $24.99 Woman and Two Men All Are Wearing Surf Fishing Gear is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!… |
|
|
Woman and Two Men All Are Wearing Surf Fishing Gear Photographic Poster Print by H. Armstrong Roberts, 12×16 $24.99 Woman and Two Men All Are Wearing Surf Fishing Gear is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!… |
|
|
Woman and Two Men All Are Wearing Surf Fishing Gear Photographic Poster Print by H. Armstrong Roberts, 18×24 $29.99 Woman and Two Men All Are Wearing Surf Fishing Gear is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!… |
|
|
Aqua-Quest 100% Waterproof Blue 2 Pocket Map/Documents Case Transparent Dry Bag $21.00 Superb choice for serious backpackers, hikers, boaties, and kayakers. By using this watertight protective pouch, you can extend the life of those expensive and valuable maps. Ideal for topographical maps, small navigation charts for boating, and walking tour maps. Width excellent for cycling jersey fit for tour or trail maps. Can be used for just about any item that you want to keep dry – includi… |
|
|
O’Neill Girls Skins Long Sleeve Crew With beautiful graphics, comfortable flatlock seams, and stylish color choices, this long-sleeve lycra sun shirt gives girls 50+ UV protection.So much better than a t-shirt over a swimsuit, rashguards can be worn in and out of the water. The lightweight yet dense weave dries quickly, breathes and keeps cool, yet blocks out harmful sun rays.Note: These shirts are sized to fit very snugly – if your … |
|
|
O’Neill Girls Skins Short Sleeve Crew (Turq/White) With bold graphics, comfortable flatlock seams, and bright colors, this short-sleeve Lycra sun shirt gives girls 50+ UV protection.So much better than a t-shirt over a swimsuit, rashguards can be worn in and out of the water. The lightweight yet dense weave dries quickly, breathes and keeps cool, yet blocks out harmful sun rays. Note: These shirts are sized to fit very snugly if your girl prefers … |
|
|
O’Neill Youth Skins Short Sleeve Rash Tee (Grass) Finally, a rash guard for boys that has a looser, more comfortable fit than traditional rash guards!Designed to be worn over swim trunks, with boardshorts, or as casual wear, this rash tee is made of the same 6 oz. lycra as O’Neill’s popular skins series of rash guards. Though it still has the same 50+ UV Protection factor, it is sized so that if you choose your child’s regular clothing size, it w… |
|
|
Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast: 2nd Edition $11.32 Updated information on tackle, baits, and casting techniques and new photos and knot-tying illustrations Fishing sandbars, points, jetties, scalloped beaches, and inlets Species include bluefish, striped bass, red drum, weakfish, spotted sea trout, flounder, sharks A comprehensive guide to fishing along the coast, Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast describes where and when to locate all the popular s… |
|
|
Ultralight Spin-Fishing: A Practical Guide for Freshwater and Saltwater Anglers $5.25 Ultralight spin-fishing provides much the same challenge and excitement as fly-fishing – with a mere fraction of the investment in equipment. More accurate casts, more strikes and a better feel of what’s happening at the end of the line are just some of the benefits of this popular angling method. Despite its name, ultra-light equipment is robust enough for pursuing trophy-sized freshwater fish as… |
|
|
Saltwater Fishing. Tackle, Rigging, How & When to Fish $3.95 Using photos and illustrations, this book is a valuable resource on the fishing line, rods, reels, knots, terminal tackle, and lures used in saltwater fishing. Other subjects include information on where to fish, the techniques and conditions that affect fishing, the best ways to fish both on land and from a boat, and tips on catching different species on fish…. |
|
|
Bob the Builder: Heavy Duty Diggers (DVD) $11.96 The popular kid`s show gets a CGI makeover as Bob the Builder and the Can-Do Crew tackle some new jobs in Harbor Town. The work gets underway as Lofty breaks ground on a new pier, and gives a crumbling shack a Surf School makeover. Meanwhile, Scoop and… |
Please leave a Comment