What is Stand up Paddleboarding?

Have you seen the newest trend in water sports? People are standing on oversized surfboards and paddling through the water on lakes and rivers everywhere.

Most water sports have typically been limited to those with superior balance because of the difficulty to stand and move atop a board on moving water. Stand up paddleboards (SUPs) are a great way for new and experienced water sport athletes to get out on the water with little to no experience. The skills needed to stand up paddleboard can be learned by anyone of just about any age in less than ten minutes. Newer paddleboards are designed to be stable enough to support an average sized adult and child without moving through the water, unlike what you need to do in surfing. More experienced paddleboarders can challenge themselves by increasing their speed, switching to thinner boards, or taking their board to the ocean to catch some waves.

Stand up paddleboarding is also a great way to exercise considering it can burn up to 700 calories an hour. It is a great all around workout that helps to improve your balance and allows you to gain core strength every time out. Training on unbalanced surfaces is very effective for building the core muscle groups, (stomach and back) and for training muscles to fire in co-coordinated ways so that the benefits are immediately transferable to other dynamic sports and activities. As oppose to traditional resistance training where muscles are trained to work in isolated groups in a stable environment. In sport we require our bodies to provide explosive strength while we are on the move, this is the sort of benefit you get from cross-training in a more fluid environment and this where SUP excels. Besides standing, you can sit, kneel or lay on a paddleboard. Yoga and exercise classes are also offered at some destinations on stand up paddleboards.

While standing on a paddleboard, the rider can also see more clearly down into the water to observe fish, underwater plants and other scenery under the water. Some models are set up for anglers with seats, straps and rod holders to use for fishing just about anywhere. This is a great way for people of all ages to participate in a fun new water sport while exercising and enjoying nature.

Houseboat, pontoon and boat owners can enjoy many other benefits from stand up paddleboards. SUPs are a great way to get around your boat, a marina’s harbor, your secluded cove or any no wake zone. Without the need for gas, SUPs are an inexpensive solution to maneuver around houseboats for cleaning, maintenance and tie-ups. It is also something that can easily be tied to the side of a pontoon or houseboat while traveling. When you reach your destination, you can put it in the water and take it to shore without beating up the bottom of your boat.

They can be taken in all kinds of water including smooth or choppy with waves and boat wakes, or calm back waters of creeks. It also allows people of all ages who prefer not to drive motorized boats to get out on the water by themselves. Now anyone can take a leisure morning paddle, a brief afternoon workout, or use a paddleboard to fish from just about anywhere there is water over 12“ deep. SUPs are an excellent addition to add to your water toys at the lake.

Stand up paddleboarding originally comes from the Polynesians and became popular in Hawaii in the 1940s as a way to surf smaller waves. They were originally used to take photos of tourists and to have fun on the water. That's what it's all about, having fun on the water. Popularity of the sport began to pick up in the early 2000s when surfers realized it was an ideal way to teach people how to surf when the tide was down. It then began to spread up and down across the west coast, along the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean, all over Florida and up the east coast. The best and most respected surfers in the world are doing it now and doing it at a high level.

Now that people realize they can paddle anywhere there is at least 12 inches of water, it is beginning to become popular to bays, inland lakes and rivers. It is great for all ages including, but not limited to, women and men looking for a great way to exercise on the water, surfers who do not live by the ocean, canoeists/kayakers looking for a new way to paddle, or anyone who wants an easy way to get out on the water. There are many clubs and organizations forming all over that organize races, tours, fundraising, competitions or outings to enjoy the sport. More marinas and resorts are renting SUPs because it is easy to learn, it is great for all ages, and it continues to rapidly increase in popularity.

Bros Boards is bringing SUPs to inland lakes and rivers across the country. They offer quality Body Glove stand up paddleboards that are perfect for rentals or personal use. They are made of a blow molded hard plastic that can withstand a beating so they will last a long time. Their thickness and wider body creates more stability, which is ideal for anyone to experience on lakes and rivers. Body Glove paddles convert to Kayak paddles in seconds by attaching a second paddle on one end. For more information regarding stand up paddleboards, visit www.brosboards.com.

So what are you waiting for. There are more and more places renting and selling paddleboards at watersports retailers, marinas and resorts. So grab your paddle and start having fun with your friends and family while enjoying the great outdoors.

 

Body Glove:

Body Glove sets standards of excellence in product design while having a complete understanding of the needs and style of today's water enthusiasts. Diving and surfing are at the root of the company. On a lake, river, ocean or pool, the Body Glove lifestyle is what water lovers aspire to achieve. With over 75% of the planet being covered with water, Body Glove wants to be there for every water experience. Authentic innovation in all watersports products is the model for Body Glove's continued success.

 

This article was written by Kyle Dickman, President of Bros Boards. For more information e-mail him with any questions at kyle@brosboards.com.