Sunday, 23 November 2014

NSP Stand Up Paddle Boards Also Come In Many Shapes And Sizes

By Ida Dorsey


The latest craze in water sport is stand up paddle-boarding, also called SUP. This variation of the traditional surfing is spreading like wildfire across the globe and is equally popular among professional, competing surfers and laymen. Standing upright on a huge board while paddling along with a single paddle seems to appeal to all water sport lovers. Just a few years after this activity became an official world sport, there are a myriad of NSP Stand Up Paddle Boards in different sizes, shapes and specifications to choose from.

Paddling along gentle waves while balancing yourself on a big board with a single banana-shaped oar to propel you forward, is not only fun, but also a great work-out and an exercise in balancing! It is an excellent outdoor activity for people who want to learn to surf, or those who are too old for surfing, but still want to experience the joy of riding a wave. The boards are bigger and thicker than a traditional long board, allowing one to catch and ride a wave much easier.

SUP is relatively safe and easy compared to surfing and thus suitable for young and old. It can be done competitively or for leisure at any place in the world where there is water - on rivers, lakes, canals and over long distances along coastlines. It is thus small wonder that it was dubbed last year as the most popular and fastest growing new outdoor sport boasting the most first-time participants in the United States.

SUP originated in Hawaii and only became popular in the USA and other countries during the past nine years. Last year, it was documented as the most popular and fastest growing water sport in the USA. The first dedicated SUP store in North America only opened its doors in 2007 in Santa Barbara, California. The owner, Deb Thomas, was also the first female standup paddler in North America in 2005.

The first ever Standup World Series championship races were held in 2012 - in Hawaii. Kai Lenny was the first SUP racing world champion ever to be crowned after winning the seasons' finals of that championship. Now, a mere two years later, this sport has gone viral and upright paddlers can be seen paddling away where-ever there are masses of water!

There are currently two main types of SUP Boards - the all arounder and the racing or touring ones. Both are suitable for different types of paddling. There are also several other more specific styles of boards to choose from - even inflatable ones for those who often travel to distant places to enjoy their sport in different locations!

The SUP paddles resemble traditional canoe paddles, but they are longer. They are generally made from fiberglass, wood or carbon with a flat blade on one end that is connected by a shaft to a handle on the other end. The blades come in different shapes and are custom-made with specific features for different kinds of paddling conditions such as long-distance, turbulent ocean surf or calm lake water.

A new SUP board can cost you between US$600 to US$1500, but there is also a huge second-hand market. The boards can be hollow or solid and are made from different materials. The secret is to find one that is most suitable for your size and needs.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment