Stand-up Paddleboarding

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Like surfing, stand up paddle boarding or SUPing as it more commonly referred to can trace it’s origins back to Polynesia. In the early 1960s the beach boys of Waikiki Beach would stand on their longboards and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. It wasn’t till the early 2000s that SUPing started to reappear as many prominent Hawaiian surfers such as Laird Hamilton and Gerry Lopez starting using SUPs to train on flat days and to ride some waves with as well.

Stand up paddleboarding is an activity that anyone of any age can try and can quickly move from being a beginner to an intermediate paddler. While most people think of SUPing as an ocean activity it is quickly gaining popularity on rivers and lakes as well. Due to the fact that you are standing straight up rather than sitting down you can see both deeper into the water and further across the horizon. Consider wearing some polarized sunglasses while paddling and you will be rewarded with views of marine life you’ve never seen before!

No matter where you decide to paddle your SUP the benefits to your body will be the same. SUPing is being heralded as one of the best low impact total body core work outs you can do today because standing on your board requires basic balancing abilities, which in turn strengthen and tone any and all muscles used to stay in position. SUPing is quickly becoming a favorite cross-training activity for skiers, snowboarders, cyclists and many other athletes as well as some of hollywoods most prominent stars.

If paddleboarding is something you’d like to try, consider taking a paddleboard tour with a experienced instructor. As the sport of stand up paddleboarding continues to grow so to do the opportunities to enjoy it so get out there and enjoy the new craze that is SUPing!!!