Have you ever sat on the yellow sand, staring at the beautiful waves of the ocean? You watch different people. The kids splash water by the shore. Some beachgoers set up their umbrellas. A lot are swimming farther and farther away. And most interestingly, a few are riding out the waves with their paddleboards.
You stop and look at them for a long time. βWhat if I was out there with them?β you ask yourself. βWhere do I start?β
You start your stand-up paddle board surfing here, of course! Iβll fill you in with everything you need to know about the watersport here, including its history, how it works, how to gen into it, its health benefits, an essential checklist, and of course, the step-by-step guide youβve been waiting for.
Lucky for you, stand-up paddle board surfing is my favorite watersport! And the community has been nothing but spectacular! But before we get into that and the nitty-gritty, letβs start with its history.
The roots of paddleboarding branch back to as far as 3000 B.C., when Peruvian fishermen rode a watercraft called Caballitos de Totora for fishing. Back then, the vessel was made out of reefs and propelled by bamboo shafts. (Spoiler alert: paddleboards can be used for the same purposed thousands of years later!)
Flash forward to 1778, Captain James Cook discovered the Hawaiian Polynesians. You could say that they were some of the worldβs first surfers. How? Well, wave rising was a core of their culture. Their chief was the most skilled wave rider, so he possessed the best board and a long paddle. Yes, they skillfully carved those waves even back then!
By the 1950s, the practice of standing up on a surfboard with a handheld paddle had its hold in Hawaii. This came to be once the Waikiki beach boys needed to breathe new life into the sport. It was thanks to the surfer John βPopsβ Ah Choy for such a feat. After they found him surfing on an oversized surfboard and a paddle, they knew that paddleboarding should have a spot on their beautiful waters.
But, the practice died down for a few decades. By the 21st century, it rose to popularity once more. This was due to famous surfers Dave Kalama and Laird Hamilton shredding the waters of Maui with paddles and longboards and paddles. They were even photographed while doing just that!
By then, stand-up paddle board surfing took its spot in the long list of watersports beachgoers can enjoy! SUP has branched out into a lot of types since then. And one of those types is surfing!
Now, that you know its history, letβs talk about how you can get into it!
Worried about the criteria needed for stand-up paddle board surfing? Well, I’ve got good news for you: there are none! People of all ages and fitness levels can get into this sport within just a few hours. With its easy learning curve and some proper instruction, you can actually ride those waves in no time!
If the flexibility of the sport has sunk its hooks on you, then hereβs another thing coming! If youβre wondering if Sstand-up paddle board surfing is a fun, refreshing exercise, then youβre absolutely right! Everyone can benefit from this low-impact workout, that targets your core, back, arms, and legs. It engages your full body and trains your balance, strength, and endurance all at the same time.
So, yes, it definitely has a positive impact on your health! Aside from burning all of those calories, here are several health benefits that can pull you in a bit more.
As Iβve said, stand-up paddle board surfing is a full-body workout. It engages your core, back, and leg muscles all throughout your journey. This is due to the constant need to maintain both dynamic and static balance. All said muscles work while youβre standing and while youβre making the sharpest turns.
Not only that, but it also tones your arm, back, and shoulders as you steer your board with a paddle. Your upper body is essential in navigating the waves after all! So, you can expect to burn a lot of calories while improving your whole body strength, balance, and endurance.
Itβs no secret that most days can get really hectic sometimes. Sometimes, you just need a break from all of your stressors. Maybe stand-up paddle board surfing can give you just that! Aside from the waterβs calming qualities, the workout can actually reduce the bodyβs stress hormone. Plus, it increases the production of endorphins, the bodyβs natural painkillers and mood elevators.
So, the next time you need a pick-me-up, consider grabbing a paddleboard and going out into those waves!
Imagine being linked to your paddleboard, carving the waves. When the waves crash and you wipe out, you get to meet the creatures of the sea. Once you break the waterβs surface, you see the beautiful landscape around you.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to stand-up paddle board surfing! You can take your paddleboard almost anywhere the waves rise high. Aside from the burned calories and stress relief, you also get to be one with nature as you surf. Isnβt that cool?
With the constant paddling, getting back on, and maintaining your balance, stand-up paddle board surfing definitely requires much of your stamina. Donβt be intimidated! As Iβve said, people of all fitness levels can get into this sport–and can gain a lot of endurance after every surfing session! stand-up paddle board surfing is definitely a sport that keeps on giving.
Lastly, you get to improve both your static and dynamic balance. If you found difficulty in standing upright while floating on water at the beginning, then you can expect some significant changes in your static balance later on! And the same goes for your dynamic balance, which is improved as you make those sharp turns and change stances. So, as your overall body strength and endurance improve, your balance definitely isnβt falling behind.
Youβve got the history, the fitness level, and health benefits down pat. So, before I move on to the detailed step-by-step guide to stand-up paddle board surfing, you gotta gear up! Iβve mentioned some of the things here in my previous posts, but Iβve included them here to put you up to speed.
This is the most important gear in your arsenal. The shape and dimensions of your paddleboard are essential to maximizing your stand-up paddle board surfing session. Iβve divided this into four categories for your reference.
Since there are several types of stand-up paddle board surfing out there, you can expect that there are different types of paddleboards for each occasion. With surfing, I recommend getting a board smaller than what you would use for cruising and/or touring beautiful landscapes. Choose a board thatβs about a foot less than your typical paddleboard. This size difference can help you navigate the wild waves better.
In terms of width, choose a board no wider than 30 or 31 inches. Sure, a larger one can give you more stability, but it would give you a harder time in making those turns and pushing through those breaks.
With shape, choose a sleeker and more streamlined paddleboard for more of that slicing action once youβre out in the water. Search for a board similar to the look of an oversized surfboard and youβre ready to push to climb up those frothy waves!
With all of the falling, getting back on, and travel, you should definitely get something thatβs not too heavy. Hereβs a rule of thumb, choose a surf SUP that you can grab by the handle and carry all the way to the water. Be sure that you can lug it around without putting it down for a rest.
Next up is your trusted paddle. What you need is one that is super lightweight and angled. In my experience, having one would mean an easier time making those sudden turns, and shredding the high waves. Also, get one that is about your height. Sure, youβre going to exert a lot more effort in steering. But, at least youβre gonna get an easier time maneuvering in return.
Besides, youβll be gaining a lot more strength as you keep on paddling anyway!
Also known as a personal flotation device, you definitely need this one for every stand-up paddle board surfing trip. With safety being your top priority, you should always have this on you, especially since the coast guard requires all paddlers to wear one. Itβs 100x better to be safe than sorry, right? I promise the life jacket would interfere with the fun experience!
Of course, assuring your safety doesnβt stop at having a life jacket with you. Once youβre out in the water, thereβs always a chance of getting into dangerous situations. So best be prepared! Have a whistle and a waterproof flashlight with you.
Should you find yourself caught in isolated or rough areas, a whistle might just be what you need in alerting others nearby. And with nighttime stand-up paddle board surfing slowly growing in popularity, bring a waterproof flashlight with you to have both a safe and exciting experience.
Iβve mentioned this gear time and time again, but I cannot stress this enough. Get yourself an ankle leash! Not only is this necessary for avoiding any accidental bumps in the head, but itβs also needed to keep your board close to you when you wipe out. (And that happens quite often really.)
Actually, this varies depending on the location and temperature of where youβll be surfing. The sun is high and beating down your back, then a comfortable swimsuit should be a good pick! Invited to surf in an area with low temperatures? Get yourself insulated or dry suits! These would prevent cold water from biting down your skin reducing the risk of hypothermia. So best be dressed according to the weather.
Last, but most certainly not least, get yourself some protection from the harmful UV rays. Aside from the danger of the sea, you also have to battle with the sun! So better apply sunscreen when you got out surfing. You can also bring an extra bottle with you–and some water shoes while youβre at it! Better give those legs that much-needed protection.
Youβve finally reached the section that youβve been waiting for! A paddle-by-paddle (get it?) guide on how to surf with your paddleboard! I know Iβve mentioned some part of this before, but Iβll be taking a more in-depth approach this time around!
I know that learning any new skill can be overwhelming to any beginner, so Iβll make this easy to understand and imagine. Iβll definitely make sure that your stand-up paddle board surfing theory is up to snuff, so you can put it into practice very soon!
There are two ways to stand up on your board. This One involves kneeling:
Obviously, the Alternative involved no kneeling as you stand up. This one is perfect if youβd like to have that surfer vibe from the get-go! Isnβt this cool?
Now, the water definitely wonβt stay still once youβre up on that paddleboard. You might find some trouble finding your balance at first. Donβt worry. Iβve got you covered with these steps.
The task of balancing on your paddleboard doesnβt stop there. Youβre going to face a lot of wild waves and choppy winds once youβre out there surfing. So learning and maintaining a surf stance can help you build a solid foundation for the sport. Plus, you might find the wave-riding and paddling experience much easier once you get the hang of it!
Itβs pretty common for beginners to hold their paddle the wrong way, so hereβs a short guide on how to do that properly. Of course, itβs going to take some practice before you get the hang of it. But youβre off to a good start here!
Once youβre out there, youβre bound to fall despite your best efforts in keeping your balance. But the important thing is to get back up, even if youβre wet and a bit tired.
So, hereβs what you gotta do whenever you take a sudden splash:
And remember these steps as you heave yourself back on your SUP:
Now, that weβve breezed past the theory and the basics, letβs get moving! Paddling is what you need to get to the exciting waves up ahead, so keep these techniques in mind, okay?
This is necessary when youβre slowing down, stopping, or turning. This is the opposite of your forward stroke.
This is the stroke you need for turning while standing still or moving.
This is actually the best part of stand-up paddle board surfing! Youβre facing those waves, about to hit them head-on with all that youβve got. They can look pretty intimidating, yes, but trust me when I say that you can do this! If you want to build both skill and confidence, then you better remember what Iβm about to tell you.
Did you think that the turning stops with all of those strokes? Of course not! Hereβs what you needed to when youβre finally high up in those waves, but you gotta make those hard turns.
Iβve got two techniques for you!
Note: This one is a more advanced technique. You can do this to avoid the hard 180-degree U-turn followed by heavy paddling.
Ready to head out into the waves? A bit hesitant? Donβt fret! Hereβs what you gotta once you finally meet the frothy waters.
And now you gotta catch them! The great thing is that stand-up paddle board surfing is a lot easier than typical surfing since youβre already standing on the board. Weβre at the endgame now, so strap in and remember all of this okay?
And youβve finally reached the end of the ultimate stand-up paddle board surfing guide! Congratulations to you! Iβve covered its history, the (lack of) fitness requirement, the overall health benefits. If thatβs got you convinced, then you can back to my paddle-by-paddle guide for everything you need to know before you ride the waves. Oh, and donβt forget to bring the checklist with you! Iβm excited to welcome you to our always-growing stand-up paddle board surfing community. π
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