What is stand up paddle (sup)?
The stand-up paddle board is a large, voluminous board that allows you to stay upright and stable even when standing in flat water.
We propel ourselves with a paddle to glide quietly on the water. It is an activity accessible to all, from 12 years old to practice alone and the little ones can stand in front, sit on the board, accompanied by an adult.
It is a very complete ponnbrt but it makes your muscles work very gently, everyone can go at their own pace, there is no need to be in good physical condition to practice sup on flat water and no limit of ‘age.
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What is stand up paddle or Sup?
Stand-up paddle (or sup) is a sport that comprises rowing standing on a large board. The board is wide, surf fashion, and we advance with a paddle.
There are two large families of sup. There is a rigid stand-up paddle and an inflatable stand-up paddle. You can find models of inflatable paddles for 300 euros. The price of a board can go up for some sup rigid to extra than 3000 euros. These are high-end boards.
HISTORICAL
The stand-up paddle is at the source of modern surfing. It was the Polynesian leaders who were the first to take standing waves with big boards made of wood & with a paddle. In the 1940s, it was Duke Kahanamoku and the Waikiki Sands Boys in Hawaii who used this type of board. They took photos with the tourists at the lineup or surfing in the small waves. In the 2000s, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama revived the development. They use paddles to maintain the physique of a waterman in the days without waves. Then they used it to go surf the large waves.
Multiple disciplines
The simplest rule is to start walking or hiking stand-up paddles or snakes. It consists of using a solid or inflatable board to navigate calm waters. The big advantage is that it is accessible to everyone and will give you a seamless view of the landscape. In terms of equipment, it is expedient to have a wide and longboard for better stability.
Surfing in the waves is around taking the waves off & off by rowing with the paddle. You can have a radical style with little boards or more cruising as longboard with longer boards. The advantage over normal surf is that it is easier to make waves, you do not need to get up and we see the waves arrive before everyone else.
Running is the most physical exercise because it is all about speed and endurance. For this, you need a long and very thin board to split the water and have minimal friction. If the race is long, tolerance will make a difference against other competitors as well.
Who can stand up and paddle?
Everyone, from 7 to 77, you are a man or a woman. Democracy proves this every day because we want to cross the water more and more. Many surfers like the snake because it is a way to stay in shape on days without waves and discover new sensations of gliding. Women prefer to ride and cardio side to maintain their bodies.
Equipment
Nothing more, a board, a paddle, a claw, and a good mood. If you go on a long sea voyage or go fishing, the advice is to wear a waterproof pouch with a life jacket, a cellphone, water, and a food bar. In the event of cold water, a combination is also a good idea to increase pleasure.
The stand up paddle, also known by the acronym SUP, is one of the boardsports which experienced strong growth right now.
It consists of getting up on a large board using a paddle to move and balance. Part of the category paddleboards, its ‘ acts of a more general concept that also includes the use of firearms kneeling, lying, or standing on a long, narrow paddle to move through the water.
The origins of paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is native to Africa, South America and also marked the ancient Polynesian culture.
According to historians, the natives of the 16th century used wooden paddles to move from one place to another, but also to face the waves. Tom Blake is the pioneer of modern paddleboarding. In the 1920s, the Americans have contributed to the restoration of old paintings Hawa ï ens. A decade later, Blake began building lighter hollow boards.
Between the 1930s and the early 1990s, paddleboards stuck in the shadow of surfboards as smaller, lighter models conquered the market. The paddle made his reappearance after racing long distance crowned es of success Bachelor, who put the sport in the spotlight.
Stand-up paddleboarding has quickly become an accessible alternative, especially for (older) surfers who don’t want to give up waves and surfing. This is how manufacturers quickly launched hundreds of models more or less inspired by surfing, which can be used in various situations. Brands that until recently remained in the windsurfing and kitesurfing niche market have discovered new opportunities with SUP.
The different types of SUP
With the advent of inflatable paddleboards, SUP has become even more famous and accessible. Stand-up paddleboarding is not only a great sport, but it has also opened up unexpected new possibilities outside of surfing as can be seen here.
Yoga, pilates, fishing, and swimming enthusiasts also use paddleboards for specific workouts. There are different types of SUP boards for different purposes. You will find models for racing, surfing, flatwater cruising, and crossover versions.
The size of a stand-up paddleboard varies between 2 and 6 m. The paddle has three components: the handle, the rod, and the blade, and varies between 16 and 32 cm. Today, the stand-up paddle is not just a leisure activity, several competitions are also organized around the world.
The International Surfboarding Association (ISA) organizes the World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Support (WSUPPC). The event includes four SUP divisions: SUP Surf, Technical SUP Racing, Sprint SUP Racing, and Distance SUP Racing and two categories of paddle: Techniques of Paddle and Distance.
How to use a SUP
As with a surfboard, the rider stands in the center of the board. He must then immerse the blade in water before starting to shoot. This applies to every shot taken.
Always begin in calm, flat water with a nice full board. It is recommended to use a board that is 50 cm and about 5 meters long for all SUP beginners. If you still feel too unstable after several attempts, try a larger, wider paddleboard.
