| If you are looking for a new exciting sport to take up | | | | So, at the time of writing, even though the sport is |
| then it can be twice as much fun if that sport happens | | | | officially 7 years, old in many countries it is only in its |
| to be brand new itself. There is the fun of being the | | | | 2nd or 3rd year and the pace of advance is speeding |
| first one in your area to be doing something that no | | | | up, both in terms of board evolution and user take up. If |
| one has done before and there is generally a great | | | | you are reading this article and you can stand, swim |
| sense of camaraderie as you get to meet other early | | | | and aren't afraid of the water then there is a high |
| adopters of the activity. Granted, being in at the | | | | chance you would enjoy at least one of the aspects |
| beginning of a dangerous sport like basejumping while | | | | of this great new sport. |
| the equipment is still having design flaws worked out is | | | | For starters its not just about waveriding. Spend any |
| a bit worrying but fortunately stand up paddleboarding | | | | sort of time browsing online and you can easily come |
| isn't a life threatening sport so those concerns aren't | | | | away with the impression that its just a surfing sport. |
| there. | | | | Initially it was, but its true potential will be in bringing |
| Stand up paddle boarding is a watersport which | | | | watersports to the masses of people who live miles |
| involves standing on an extra large surfboard and | | | | away from the sea. Just like with kayaking where the |
| propelling it by using a long hand held paddle. Its roots | | | | majority of people use them on rivers and lakes rather |
| can be traced back firstly to the 1960s beach boy era | | | | than out in the surf . Whether its for going exploring, |
| and before that to the sea fairing Polynesians who | | | | multi day expeditions, meeting up with likeminded |
| used it as their form of transportation. In its modern | | | | people or just for getting away from life's stresses for |
| incarnation the sport can be said to have started in | | | | a few hours then paddleboarding can do all that and |
| 2002 when a collection of Hawaiian watermen | | | | more. We all know canoeing and kayaking can be fun |
| rediscovered the joys of SUP on a day when the | | | | but standing up on a board is even more fun! There is |
| wind was down and the waves were flat. They soon | | | | something about the upright position allowing you to |
| realized the fun that it could give, the strength workout | | | | see more that leads to a much more rewarding |
| they got from it and also the great benefits to their | | | | experience whether its being able to look down at the |
| core and balance. Due to the larger sizes of their | | | | fishes swimming underneath or over hedgerows for a |
| boards compared to regular surfboards and the extra | | | | better view while paddling along or just watching the |
| speed that paddling gave them meant they could | | | | water pass rhythmically under the nose of the board |
| catch a lot more waves as well as carving tighter, | | | | as you glide along. |
| more exhilarating turns with the aid of using the paddle | | | | If you do live within driving distance of a beach then |
| as a rudder. | | | | the increased length of the board compared to a |
| Originally the sport was limited to this tight knit group | | | | regular surfboard means you have got more chance |
| but steadily the idea caught on throughout the | | | | of getting some surf time in, even if your local spot isn't |
| Hawaiian islands and in no time at all respected locals | | | | renowned for a big swell. The extra buoyancy a SUP |
| like Laird Hamilton and Jimmy Lewis started fabricating | | | | board gives over mini mals and longboards means |
| their own boards which were in turn marketed to a | | | | you'll be catching long rides no matter how small the |
| larger audience. This new sport soon came to the | | | | conditions are, either away from the regular |
| attention of the established windsurfing brands and | | | | overcrowded surf spots or when the conditions are |
| companies that were more geared up to large scale | | | | flatter and your surfing brethren are waiting on land for |
| production like Mistral added SUP boards to their roster | | | | the conditions to pick up a bit. |
| and the global push began. | | | | Either way taking the plunge with the great sport of |
| SUP was originally targeted at windsurfers who were | | | | SUP means you are going to benefit from some |
| already used to standing up on a board and who | | | | fantastic strength training, a great core workout and |
| wanted to get out on the water when the wind was | | | | the chance to switch off from it all while exploring |
| down. Originally many of them dismissed it as a fad | | | | inland waterways or hitting the lesser known surf |
| that wouldn't catch on but once they actually tried it for | | | | spots all year round. Plus you are in at the beginning of |
| themselves they were hooked. | | | | something very exciting! |