About SUP
Progressive Stand Up Paddleboards and Paddles
Stand up paddle surfing (SUP), or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he'e nalu- which means to stand, to paddle, to surf, a wave is a rapidly growing sport which dates back to ancient Polynesia and was cultivated in the Hawaiian islands.
Back in the 60’s, the beach boys of Waikiki would stand on their long boards, and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. Hence the term "beach boy surfing" is often associated with Stand Up Paddle Surfing, in fact, this served as precursor to modern SUP. However, it was not until the early 2000s that Hawaiian greats like Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama popularized the modern version of the sport.
SUP as we know it today, is a variation on traditional surfing whereby a surfer no longer paddles into a wave lying prone on his board, but rather stays standing and uses a paddle to navigate through the water and catch waves. This is one of the biggest draws of this phenomenal sport because the fun factor is tremendously increased since 1) the stand up surfer has a commanding view of the water and can see the incoming swell from a distance, 2) the wave count increases exponentially because of the extra power provided by the paddle making it surprisingly easy to catch a wave.
SUP promotes balance, strength and general fitness. It is excellent for both surfers and non-surfers alike as it provides a workout that strengthens the core muscle groups while giving you a fun and exciting way enjoy the ocean.
Many “traditional surfers” and other watermen in general are crossing over to this new sport because of its versatility. In SUP, one can paddle in flat water- lakes , rivers or harbors , paddle open ocean swells or paddle to ride waves.
