About Stand Up Paddle
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What’s SUP?
SUP is the abbreviation for Stand Up Paddle. It is a variation of surfing in which you stand on a wide, extra long surfboard and propel yourself with a long paddle. This newest water sport is known by many names including Stand Up Paddle Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Stand Up Paddling, Paddle Surfing, and Paddle Boarding to name a few. But whatever it is called Stand Up Paddle is the newest sensation in water sports and is spreading like wildfire on all bodies of water across the globe.
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Stand Up Paddle History
Stand Up Paddle Surfing can be traced back to the Waikiki beach boy surfers of Hawaii in the early 1930’s. They would ride their longboards and use outrigger canoe paddles in order to take pictures of tourists learning to surf.
Here’s some early footage from the 30’s of the father of surf Duke Kahanamoku. At the 2.28 mark you can see him using a paddle.
The resurgence of the sport today is because of renown watermen such as Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama in Maui, Hawaii. They were looking for a way to stay fit and get on the water on flat days, but soon found that Stand Up Paddle Surfing is a blast in the waves too. The sport quickly spread all over Hawaii and spilled out into California, Australia and Europe. It is now becoming popular worldwide and spreading along not just coastal waterways, but inland waterways such as lakes and rivers too.
Why is SUP so popular?
Stand Up Paddling is spreading so fast because it’s a versatile sport that people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy. Whether it be in big surf, tiny surf (SUPers can catch the tiny waves that can’t support regular surfers) or on flatwater. And then there’s the added benefit of a total body workout. Stand Up Paddling builds strength through balance and resistance and is especially good at working the core muscles of your torso. Plus you can get a cardio workout by simply paddling faster. It is an excellent cross-training exercise and can be done on lakes, rivers, the ocean or any waterway. But mostly, Stand Up Paddle is growing so fast because it is just so fun!
The Future of Stand Up Paddle?
Stand Up Paddling is fun, versatile, and keeps you fit. That is why it is the hottest new water sport. It is can be a peaceful paddle on flatwater or it can be an intense workout if you paddle hard. It is perfect for surfing big waves or small waves. Long distance racing is becoming popular as is whitewater river running on paddleboards. Even SUP Yoga classes can now be found! People continue to find new ways to have fun with this simple board and paddle. As long as there is water on our planet the future of Stand Up Paddle Boarding looks bright!
Take a look at our celebrity SUP gallery to see who’s caught the SUP bug.
