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An Intro to Stand Up Paddle Surfing

Stand Up Paddle Surfing (also known as SUP) is a popular emerging sport that began gaining momentum in the early 2000s. Although it has roots in Polynesia, the first instances of modern SUP were recorded in the Hawaiian Islands in the 1960s on the beaches of iconic Waikiki. It was here that Beach Boys of Waikiki would use SUP to paddle out and take photographs of tourists attempting to master the sport of surfing. Observers called this “Beach Boy Surfing,” another term coined for SUP. A more modern movement of SUP began to emerge and the craze is seen to be one of the world's fastest growing water sport. Professional surfers began to use SUP to train during the off season when waves were hard to come by, and the spark of interest that began to grow led to the development of competitions in events like the Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race and M?kaha's Big Board Surfing Classic. The sport continues to grow and change as it gains recognition and and a worldwide following of ocean aficionados.

In essence, SUP puts a variation on surfing by having the rider stand on a surfboard and utilize a paddle to move through the water instead of relying on waves for momentum. The boards used for SUP tend to be longer, thicker, and wider than traditional surfboards so that they are more buoyant and make it easier for even beginners to catch waves. Paddles paired with these user-friendly boards are similar to canoe paddles, but longer so as to extend the reach of the surfer and aid movement.

Some of the advantages that sets SUP apart from traditional surfing is that it allows a better vantage point while on the water because of the standing position and can be done on any body of water. SUP can also be used as a training tool while giving traditional surfing instructions because it allows the teacher to gain a better visual of the beginners' movement on the board.

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More stand up paddle resources coming soon!