SUP-surfing is a relatively new kind of water sport. Nevertheless, every year it is gaining in popularity, not only in countries with warm climates. SUP literally translated as – Stand Up Paddle from the translation can be immediately understood that it is standing with a paddle. Sapboarding is an interpretation of the classic surfing, where instead of leaning into the water to move with the hands using the paddle.
The main thing that distinguishes sapboarding from classic surfing is that you don’t need waves and wind at all on a SUP board. You can have a great time in the open water or in a calm lake. The only skill you have to have before you get on a SUP board is the ability to swim. When learning, frequent rider falls are possible, and you can buy equipment and a life jacket for more comfort.
How did the popularity of sapboarding begin
In the early 2000’s surfing legends such as Rick Thomas, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama began to practice. The usual California waves that year did not please riders, so they had to train with a paddle. In just a couple of years about this new sport began to publish articles, opened new schools for the training of young riders. In 2004, in Hawaii, Brain Keaulana announced the new kind of SUP surfing at Buffalo’s Big Board Classic. At the time, the event was broadcast on numerous channels, so thousands of people around the world learned about sapboarding. In 2005, the SUP Surfing Federation opened in California, an event that served as a great additional boost to the development of this water sport. Thanks to all these activities and caring athletes, sapboarding has become very popular all over the United States and in European countries with open water.
Features of SUP Board Types
There are several styles and each has its own SUP board:
- SUP touring: hiking on SUP boards involves quiet exploration in smooth water
- SUP surfing: practically the same as in the classic surfing only with a paddle
- SUP racing: SUP boards are designed for active water fun and racing
- Whitewater rivers SUP: for those who love extreme white water rafting
- SUP yoga/fitness: for both yoga and water fitness
All round board is suitable for everyone, both beginners and professional riders. This type of board behaves perfectly in calm water and even in small waves. Sturdy, comfortable and maneuverable they show excellent directional stability in all conditions.
Speaking about distinctive features of Race boards, their specially designed long nose and narrow stern help quicker acceleration and maneuvers. Suitable exclusively for competitions and fast swims. Such a board will not be a universal soldier in your arsenal, their main task is to develop maximum speed.
Touring boards have their main purpose – long and comfortable stay on the water. For more stability these SUP-boards have a wide stern and a pointed nose. Thanks to this shape there is the least resistance of the board while maintaining high speed to overcome long distances.
There is a separate segment of boards designed for windsurfing. Manufacturers offer customers an ordinary recreational SUP-board with a sail attachment. Some manufacturers produce ready-made professional SUP-wind boards, one of such companies is Aqua Marina. Most often such boards are equipped with additional fin in the middle (keel-swivel) for better directional stability and planing.
Whatever the child may be, as they say, but every year the producers try to surprise the consumer and expand the possibilities of water recreation. Thus appear wide and equipped with additional handles yoga boards, large and stable tandem for the whole family and even favorite pets. Special SUP-boards for fishing, which are equipped with an additional cooler seat and special mounts for fishing rods.
