By Ida Dorsey


The latest craze in water sport is stand up paddle-boarding, also called SUP. This variation of the traditional surfing is spreading like wildfire across the globe and is equally popular among professional, competing surfers and laymen. Standing upright on a huge board while paddling along with a single paddle seems to appeal to all water sport lovers. Just a few years after this activity became an official world sport, there are a myriad of NSP Stand Up Paddle Boards in different sizes, shapes and specifications to choose from.

The idea of riding a wave, paddling or fishing in an upright position whilst balancing on a huge board, apparently appeals to most water sport lovers. Maybe it is the fact that one is not submerged in water all the time, or have a better view from a standing position, but whatever the reason, this craze has spread like wildfire. Even traditional surfers are hooked and many are trading their long boards for a SUP version.

SUP boards are generally bigger and thicker than the traditional surf board, which makes it easier to keep one's balance and to ride a wave. Keeping one's balance and paddling along with a single banana-curved paddle is not only excellent physical exercise, but also loads of fun. It is no wonder that this fairly new sport last year toppled old favorites like board-sailing and windsurfing as the most popular outdoor activity in the USA!

Although many people have used logs and other forms of floaters and oars to fish and cross rivers since the beginning of times, SUP only recently became an official sport. An exclusive SUP magazine was only founded in 2007 with its headquarters in Maine. The first SUP board race with 34 male and female competitors racing over a distance of seven miles was held in August 2007 in Tahoe City, California.

Although people have used tree stumps and other forms of floats and paddles to fish standing up since the earliest times, it is believed that the modern form of SUP originated in Hawaii. It only became popular in the USA during the last decade after a veteran of Vietnam introduced it there and a custom surf shaper created one of the first modern SUP boards.

The sport is equally popular among professional, competitive surfers, laymen and recreational fishermen. The two main types of boards are All Arounder and those used for racing or long distance touring. These include specific styles made for women, kids, river racing, etc. Inflatable boards are becoming increasingly popular because they are so easy to transport.

The SUP paddles resemble traditional canoe paddles, but they are longer. They are generally made from fiberglass, wood or carbon with a flat blade on one end that is connected by a shaft to a handle on the other end. The blades come in different shapes and are custom-made with specific features for different kinds of paddling conditions such as long-distance, turbulent ocean surf or calm lake water.

Prices vary from $600 to $1500, but one can also get good second-hand ones. The latest trend is inflatable SUP boards that are light-weight and easy to transport. No matter why and how you SUP, there is a board that is tailor-made to suit your style, size and fancy!




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