Standup paddleboarding

Standup paddleboarding, also called stand-up paddleboarding or SUP, is a fun water sport that started from surfing and has its modern roots in Hawaii. People who do standup paddleboarding stand on special floating boards on the water and use a paddle to move around.

In 2013, a report showed that standup paddleboarding was the outdoor sport with the most new people trying it in the United States that year. There are many ways to enjoy this sport, including calm water paddling, racing, surfing, whitewater SUP, yoga, and even fishing.

Traditionally, people stand on the board and use one side of a paddle. But because the sport has become so popular, some people also sit or kneel on the board, and some boards even have a seat. Some people use a paddle with two sides when they sit or kneel.

History

The act of moving on a floating board with a paddle or setting pole goes back thousands of years in places like Peru, Levant, Italy, and China. But the modern version of standup paddleboarding started in Hawaii in the 1900s.

In the 1940s on Waikiki beach, some surfers began standing on their boards and using paddles to help them catch waves. This helped them watch their students and also take pictures. In the 1990s, Laird Hamilton helped make standup paddleboarding a popular sport. Today, people use it for many things besides surfing, like racing, yoga, and fishing.

SUP surfing

SUP surfing is like regular surfing, but you stand on the board from the start. You use a special paddle to get to the waves. This can be helpful for people who have hip or shoulder problems.

SUP touring

In 2007, people began using paddleboards on calm water for adventures. These boards are designed to move quickly and can carry gear. It’s a great way to explore and enjoy nature.

SUP yoga

Main article: Paddleboard Yoga

SUP yoga is doing yoga while standing on a paddleboard. It’s usually done on calm water like lakes. Special inflatable boards make it easier to balance.

SUP fishing

SUPs give fishermen a new way to reach shallow waters. These boards are easy to carry and can even be used with small motors, letting anglers go further and stay steady while fishing.

Popularity

Standup paddleboarding became very popular in 2013. It was the most popular outdoor activity for people trying it for the first time that year. Most of the people who tried it were around 28 years old.

By 2014, about 2.8 million people in the United States were enjoying standup paddleboarding. This was up from 2 million in 2013. Most of the people who joined in were between 25 and 44 years old. Teenagers aged 14 to 17 had the highest rate of trying it, and most of them were boys.

Equipment

Board

Most SUP boards are between 10 to 12 feet long, with longer boards used for racing and shorter ones for surfing. The right board depends on the user's weight and height. Wider boards are more stable and good for beginners, while narrower boards are better for advanced paddlers and surfing.

SUP boards are made with a foam core covered in materials like wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Some boards are inflatable, made from fine threads and covered with PVC, and can be folded into a backpack when not in use. Many boards have a single fin in the center to help with stability, and sometimes extra fins are added for surfing.

Paddle

A SUP paddle helps move the board through the water. It has a blade, shaft, and handle, and should be taller than the user by between 8 and 15 inches. Paddles are made from materials like plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and wood. The blade is angled to give more power when paddling.

Leash

A leash connects the user to the board to prevent it from floating away if the user falls off. The leash should be about one foot longer than the board, with one end attached to the board and the other to the user's ankle or calf. There are coiled and straight leashes, and it's important to use a leash made for SUP boards. A breakaway style leash is recommended for rivers to avoid getting tangled.

Additional equipment

The U.S. Coast Guard recommends a personal flotation device and a whistle for users outside swim and surf areas. A light is useful for night paddling, and a rash guard is recommended for sun protection during the day.

Safety and regulations

When standup paddleboarding, safety rules can change depending on where you are. In many places in the United States, you don’t have to wear a safety vest in the surf zone, but you might need one in other areas like harbors or rivers. Some beaches, like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Virginia Beach, Virginia, have extra rules, such as needing a leash on your board just like with surfboards.

In the United Kingdom, you usually don’t need a safety vest in the surf, but you might need one on calm water like lakes or rivers. It’s always a good idea to use a leash, especially when learning or if you’re not very confident yet. Safety vests can help keep you safe in teaching situations too.

Competition

In August 2020, a special group decided that two different organizations could hold official standup paddleboard competitions. One of them would be in charge of Olympic-level events. For the Olympic Games in 2020 and 2024, only shortboard competitions were approved.

The World Championships for standup paddleboarding started in Peru in 2012 and 2013. After that, they were held in Nicaragua, Mexico, Fiji, Denmark, China, and El Salvador.