What Is “SUP”?

I’m not really surprised if you haven’t heard of it yet. It has been taking the water sports world by storm since the late 2000's. 

SUP，in a nutshell, is an acronym that stands for “stand up paddle boarding” and it is one of the fastest growing water sports. A combination of kayaking and surfing, this sport is fundamentally standing on a surfboard and using a paddle to propel yourself. Stand Up Paddle boards are longer, wider, and more buoyant than traditional surfboards, which enables you to comfortably balance on them.

This has been a sought-after sport for first-time participants.

Paddle boarding’s fan has the median age of 25-44. And it’s most popular among 28-years olds. Well, considering what it asks you to do, I’m not surprised.

While people use this for fitness, this is also an epic getaway from stress. Being one with nature and all that adventure drama where teens these days post on social media.

Paddling yourself on lakes, rivers, and other waterbodies can also be called paddle boarding. For sightseeing purposes, this is perfect. But this isn’t all it can do. If you really want an adventure of your life, you should go for surfing on ocean waves (where you need the best paddle boards). Paddling on river rapids is also one way of getting in touch with your adventurous side. On the other hand, if you want to be lazy like me – not always, but most of the time – use it for fishing!

You can look at this as a longer surfboard with awesome paddles. It’s different from surfing. Well, kind of. The difference is the length and size, and the most obvious one, it comes with paddles.

Instead of sitting down, waiting for the wave to come, you use your paddle to propel yourself into the ocean body.

Overall, I wouldn’t say that it’s much of a stretch from your regular surfboards, but they do have a difference. It doesn’t change the fact though that this is often called as “stand up paddle surfing.”

Paddleboarding has a hawaiian heritage  and translates in hawaiian to Ku Hoe He’e Nalu; to stand, to paddle, to surf, a wave. It’s history dates back to the 1950’s when the beachboys (surf instructors) on Waikki Beach used to stand up and paddle out to the surf break using their regular surf boards and a one bladed paddle. They did this because the higher view point offered by the sup style provided better visibility of their group and incoming swells.  Also, it allowed them to keep their wealthy customers cameras dry and take pictures of them surfing!! As surfing developed and fashions changed, the paddle was lost and only a few surfers in Waikki continued to stand on their board and use a paddle.

There are also stories about Charlie Force, a carpenter and builder from the UK who in 1953 designed and built a hollow wooden surfboard which he successfully rode in Newquay Bay. So there is evidence of SUP surfing in the UK some 50 years before it became popular in the UK.

Today, SUP is currently the fastest growing watersport in the world, SUPing can be enjoyed is flat oceans, surf zones, lakes, rivers, canals, inland waterways, and even in large swimming pools.

With the advent of inflatable stand-up paddleboards, the sport became even more popular and accessible - the SUP board now fits in a backpack.

Stand-up paddleboarding not only is an excellent workout and pastime, but it can also be a smart mean of transportation, allow you to carry small bags and objects onboard.

  OK, Since there’s so many benefits of SUP, why not give it a try next summer!