Stand up paddle surfing on the Ocoee River in Tennessee
Stand up paddle surfing or stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is a new form of adventure travel in the recess peanut butter cup tradition. Remember those old commercials where one person ran into another and one had chocolate and one had peanut butter? The collision made candy bar history.
Somewhere along the line the same thing happened in adventure travel. Most likely it happened in California. Along a beach just north of San Diego a surfer was riding an epic wave. At the same time a canoeist was mellifluously paddling along the shore. WHAM!
The wave brought the surfer crashing into the canoe and in the collision the surfer remained standing on his board, but somehow managed to grab the canoe paddle. The surfer paddled away and a light went on in his head and stand up paddle surfing was born.
Since the sport can be done on any body of water it does not have to always be an extreme sport – Photo courtesy of Legends SUP
Years later, the sport is thriving. In fact it has even specialized just like other adventure travel sports. No longer do you have to canoe or surf and wait for a collision. You can now buy a paddle board that meets your interest. There are SUP race boards, SUP surf boards, flat water SUPS, SUP river boards, and even an inflatable SUP. Once you pick your board of choice, then you will need to pick out a SUP paddle.
The great thing about stand up paddle surfing or stand up paddling is you can do it wherever there is a body of water. Surfing is a sport very limited to certain coastal areas around the world which produce big waves, but one who SUPs can enjoy the sport in any lake, ocean, or river. This means the sport is not always an extreme sport. It can be if you surf rapids or a huge wave, but it can also be a leisurely activity as seen above with the photo of the guy and his dogs.
One can only wonder what the next imaginative trend in adventure travel will be. What accident will create the next adventure travel sport? Hey, check it out! There is a guy on a SUP heading towards shore really fast. Hey dude on the shore in the bicycle, look out. CRASH!
Is stand up paddle board biking the next craze?
Stay tuned,
TT
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I think Scott and Christy of Ordinary Traveler have tried this as well. I like the idea of doing this in calm water.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..2013 New Years resolutions, travel plans, and a look ahead
That would make them unOrdinary Travelers. I actually have never tried it. I would love to try this and surfing.
How much fun!!!
Yea, it looks like a blast.
This would be fun in the the fake lake / fountain area at the Bellagio…just to catch the tourist response…
Cheers…
Charles Higgins recently posted..Big name Vegas entertainment in February 2013
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and pulling a stunt like that would definitely make someone stay in Vegas ( in a Vegas jail that is) 🙂
I have been paddle boarding rivers and lakes and some ocean for the last 2 years.its amazing what you see in the water while standing.Have done a race in the charles river in boston.Its a great workout.
I enjoy skiing, so I think I would like to try surfing at some point. I also enjoy canoeing and kayaking, so I definitely think I would enjoy this activity.
Will the madness never stop? What next water polo on land? Soccer in the water but using only the arms? My quest to become the ultiamte athlete keeps getting harder… All that said, very interesting!
Raul (@ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..7 Items You Won’t See Me without while Hiking Kilimanjaro
I try to stick to a couple of core activities like canoeing, hiking, and skiing and then dabble in the rest.
I have a feeling you need muscles in your legs to do this! In other words, let me watch others have fun… 😉
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Discovering Baja California Wine Country, Mexico
It would be a fun activity to watch as well.
bahaha that last photo. let us know when one of these involve wine and we’re in.
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required
If the dude in the shot above can paddle two dogs, then I am sure a wine basket and cheese could be arranged.
Stand up paddle boarding is so much fun. I got into it a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. Never tried paddle surfing though, looks like it might take a bit more coordination than I have 😉
Kate recently posted..How To Choose The Right Paddleboard Paddle For You
I have never tried either, but I would love to give it a shot as it looks fun.
What a amazing story on how SUPing is discovered. It really entertained me!
Thanks Robert,
Glad you enjoyed it.
A major benefit that SUP provides is that it is a very low impact exercise. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will do damage to the tendons and ligaments of your joints.
Brisbane stand up paddle board recently posted..Bay Island SUP – Featured on The Great Day Out