When a new season ushers in, we always see a rise of popularity in at least one sport. It’s usually deemed the “new fad” or “trendy”. This year, we couldn’t help but wonder what has everyone trying the sport of stand up paddle boarding (SUP).
Hardly new, SUP has been around in various forms for centuries, but this year we seem to be seeing and hearing about it everywhere. People of all ages and skill levels are taking to this water sport to get active, explore the lakes and rivers and try something different. So what exactly is stand up paddle boarding and where can you try it?
It is noted that this sport originated in Hawaii as an offshoot of surfing. Unlike traditional surfing where the rider is sitting until a wave comes, stand up paddle boarders maintain an upright stance on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. Although there are variations of the sport that make it more challenging, like practicing yoga on the board, SUP is considered a much more calm and relaxing way to enjoy time on the water.
From an athletic standpoint, paddle boarding is a great way to increase core and upper-body strength, especially when paddling against a current or for an extended length of time, or as mentioned above, practicing yoga.
If you are in interested in learning more about stand up paddle boarding or would like to give it a try, you can connect with these local resources: