SUP

SUP (Stand Up Paddle Surfing)

Benefits
The older I get the harder it is to stay fit in order to practice the sports I love. Addicted to “lay down” surfing, I waited till 2009 to start stand up paddling (SUP) and did so to stay in shape, cutting out my gym workouts & maintaining cycling for aerobics, I more than made the right choice! The core workout is awesome while having fun not coup up in the indoor compounds of a gym, besides due to the SUP paddle strokes & board balancing my entire body was getting a great workout. Then I caught a few waves and I was hooked, I became a surf souper. In February 2010 after 3 months of SUP I arrived in Utah for my yearly 10 to 12 weeks of snowboarding and for the first time I had zero leg burn and feeling stronger than ever. No wonder a lot of personal trainers in California are having their elite triatheletes SUP.

Fun
There is a unique feeling standing up on a board, it is like walking on water, it is mystical, the views are different and unique. Standing while paddling I can see so much farther, not only approaching swells but marine life! Also I see the bottom of the ocean much better. The paddling motion of SUP is not hard on my back yet “lay down paddling” at times is. It’s so easy to learn, and while advancing in the sport I set new goals and remain challenged. Can you beat being in the water, getting a workout, having fun and standing! Not to mention that SUP versus “lay down surfing” (on surf that is) I can double my water time and get into the waves earlier, compared to longboarding. In a nutshell, anther boarding sport, more water time!

Disciplines
The SUP disciplines are; fun, touring, racing (including a training regiment), surfing, fishing. Once decided get at least a one hour SUP class, it will make your first time out much more enjoyable.

Board and Paddle Purchase Advice
Your best bet is going to Aqua East Surf Shop and seeking professional advice from the sales staff. Yet you should follow two basic rules; choose your discipline and for surfing purchase the shortest board advised. Most of us tend to buy a board a bit big, because we compare SUP to “lay down surfing”. The thing to remember is that width in SUP most of the time (due to your discipline) more important than length. Stability and pointing are crucial, then for surfing turning becomes an issue thus adequate bottom shape is not to be ignored as well as flotation. If you are going to race, look at the race specific boards. As for paddles there are inexpensive aluminum paddles, then fiberglass and carbon paddles, note that some of the blades are different, except for racing this should not be a big factor. You should get a paddle that is 7” to 10” taller than you thus purchase one that is the right size, or cut to size and epoxy the handle once cut; again your sales person will lead you in the right direction. In my case I cut my first paddle at 10” and did not epoxy it till I found the right length by cutting 1” at a time, I do notice that a shorter paddle is at times better to get into waves, due to the higher paddle stroke cadence. Be advised most boards come with an installed deck pad, to avoid using wax, if you choose a board that does not; there are a variety of deck pads available.

Rules & Respect while on the water
You should never be offensive to others, swimmers, surfers etc. One thing that I have noticed is that a few SUP surfers like to show off as well as get all the waves, particularly in popular crowded surf breaks! … Don’t do it, all this does is give us SUP aficionados a bad name. Face if, if we want, on a stand up paddle board we can get all the waves! Just move down the beach & let the short & longboards have it, more so those of us that are older & have surfed for ages, just remember we have had our times! It is all about fun now. Go out get your share of waves, have a blast and spread the good vibes with much aloha.

- Cesar