The ancient Hawaiians
started it. Modern Hawaiians revived it. Now surfers around the world have
caught the bug.
It's called stand up
paddle-board surfing, and it appears set to become the most talked
about aquatic pastime since modern surfboards first hit these shores 50
years ago.
The pure stoke and core workout of stand up paddle surfing continues to
unite the worldwide surfing and fitness community. In this article we've
decided to bring you a review of stand up paddle surfing from its humble
beginnings to its current place as one of the greatest movements in surfing
history. We are sure you will enjoy it!
The Scene: Picture a perfect sunny morning with azure
blue skies, a glassy horizon, and breaking surf. You paddle out early to
beat the crowds and are the only one in the water. Just as you reach the
lineup you turn toward the horizon to see a magnificent wave roll in as if
it were waiting for you to get in the water. Each passing wave, big or
small, ridden or not, is a thrill in the heart and mind of the avid stand up
paddle surfer. Certitude, cordiality in the water, and surfing with elegance
is what the sport of stand up paddle surfing is all about...
The History: Surfing has challenged the limits of every
waterman's strength and skill. An age-old sport, the Hawaiians were among
the first to have been spotted playing amongst the waves on their long
surfboards. While the spirit of surfing has remained the same, variations
have been introduced by a progressive group of surfers. Paddle surfing, also
known as beach boy surfing, has a history of enthralling people with its
noble rhythm and grace. The sport found its beginnings with the Beach Boys
of the 1960s who would paddle their long surfboards out into the ocean to
take pictures of tourists. Over time, other surfers noticed and experimented
with stand up paddle surfing as a way of training and fine-tuning their
skills. With this history, paddle surfing has its infamous legends. John
Zabotocky, also known as the oldest beach boy surfer in the world, is a
source of inspiration to many who have embraced the sport. Since the 1940s
he has been found stand up paddle surfing along the shores of Hawaii.
The Evolution: The evolution of longboards, shortboards
and paddleboard designs has culminated in the development of today's SUP
surfboards. As we review history, the traditional surf board designs of
50/50 rails and single fin setups had evolved into smaller, lighter, and
faster surfboards. Now, with the materials available today, and new
composite construction techniques, shapers are pushing the existing limits
of weight, strength, and shape of SUP surfboards thus leading to a higher
level of performance amongst SUP surfers.
The Stoke: Paddle surfing is not just about braving the
waves. Stand up paddle surfing on calm water is an enriching experience as
it affords you a brilliant angle of visibility of life both above and below
the water. However, when the surf is up, the paddle surfer gauges the waves
from the beach, slides the board into the water, and carefully manages to
shore break before taking the road less traveled to surf a break away from
the crowds. With grace, assurance, and respect for all other surfers in the
water, each wave is turned into an epic ride.
The Fitness: SUP surfing is a superior core workout on
both flat water and amongst the waves. It is an ideal sport for cross
training for Surfing and Windsurfing as it builds core strength and balance.
The Equipment: SUP surfboards are generally engineered
to be slightly longer and thicker than average longboards. However as of the
writing of this article, cutting edge stand up paddle surfers are ripping on
9 foot boards with pulled in noses, constantly paving the way to the future
of the sport. There are now SUP boards available that can also be used for
windsurfing. Paddle makers have also responded to the demand for SUP surfing
gear by producing specially designed paddles for stand up paddle surfing.
The Future: As a rapidly growing phenomenon across the
world, paddle surfing has captivated countless enthusiasts. Perhaps it's the
grace and harmonious combination of skill and thrill that attracts us to SUP
surfing. Stand up paddles surfing has enthralled surfers for over 60 years
now. It's only a matter of time before beaches worldwide are lined up with
boards and paddles and sails of every size, shape and color.
Thanks to: Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine http://www.supsurfmag.com |
