Surfing is one of the more captivating sports on the planet. The seemingly limitless bravery of the souls who are willing to challenge the ocean to a duel. Appealing to some, terrifying to others, there’s no doubt surfing is a decisive sport. Surfing a turquoise barrel of sea foam, hoping to control the ocean long enough to surf that gnarly wave!
Fortunately, there is an alternative for those who still long to ride the waves: stand up paddle boarding. As old as surfing itself, this Hawaiian sport is growing in popularity all over the world. The popularity spike is a result of its incredibly short learning curve and certainly ease of performance. Called Hoe he’e nalu in the Hawaiian language, the first documentation of modern SUP was taken in the 1940s.
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In the 1960s, SUP became popular among surf instructors, who would utilize the method to position themselves for photo ops. It was later used by professional surfers, especially to train in between surf sessions. It is best learned on calm, placid waters, but the SUP is versatile and has also been in use on rivers and in coastal surf.
Stand up paddle boarding is also hailed as a great fitness activity due to the core strength required and gained to navigate the paddle board. You can operate it on your belly, on your knees, standing up, or sitting down, and depending on your preference for the type of water its used on, it can be a great whole body workout.
You can find stand up paddle boards at virtually any beach destination these days, and increasing numbers of them are becoming available at lakeside destinations as well. This video gives a simple rundown of the stand up paddle board and its operation, and makes it easy to see why it’s becoming a popular sport.
Related articles: What is Paddle Boarding? also Popular Stand Up Paddle Boarding Destinations
Featured Image from City of Gold Coast/Unsplash
