Stand up paddle boards

Who's idea was this, and why?

Much like piercings in painful places and daily-morphing lingo, stand up paddle boarding has its origins in the Hawaiian surfing community. After all, that is what you're looking at; surfboard, paddle. However, modern stand up paddle boards by Wavesport, Mohawk, Ocean, Pau Hana and Hobie more closely resemble the board Frankie Avalon used prove he was The Big Kahuna; about 11 feet long, just under five inches thick- they'd also make a pretty good credenza.

But a good stand up paddle board, or "SUP" for those in the know, is a far sight more complicated than the surfboards of yore. A good SUP board should have plenty of rocker in the front to keep it above water in choppy conditions, but quite a flat center for stability. The surface is usually flat or slightly concave. Stand up paddle boards for the athlete For those looking for a rigorous workout, stand up paddling is where it's at. Though it originated in Hawaii and gained prominence in coastal areas, it is just as rewarding to stand up paddle board on lakes. Moves such as kick turns, 180s, and the like are all possible without the high action of the ocean, though obviously the ocean does make things a little more intense. Instruction, of course, is best done in the 'trial by fire' method. Stand up, paddle, don't fall.

Stand up paddling for the fisherman

The nice thing about stand up paddle boarding is that you don't need to be a superior athlete to enjoy it. This, of course, is not to discount the considerable physical prowess that is required by fishing. All we're saying is that the skills are achievable for nearly everyone. Brands like Boardfisher, Wavewalk, and more all have interesting takes on the stand up paddle board that allow you to sit, lie down, stand, and carry a good-sized load of gear. There are even inflatable stand up paddle boards for a smoother, more stable ride that requires less balance.

Online footage and instruction

There's no replacement for getting out there and trying it, but sadly, more often than not, it's the middle of the week rather than the end of the week. In the meantime you can check out a great number of instructional videos on YouTube.com. Some are posted by online authorities on the subject, others are the work of enthusiastic practitioners. Either way, for a sport such as stand up paddle boating, it can be difficult to get a professional opinion and specific instruction. We suggest watching a few during your lunch break, then get back to viewing Justin Bieber and hilarious cat videos.