What’s SUP with Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding has been listed as one of the largest first time outdoor activity sports
in 2013, by The USA Outdoor Participant Report.
Although the sport really took off in 2005, there is footage of Duke Kahanamoku, the man
who introduced traditional surfing to Australia, riding a primitive version of a SUP in 1939.
One of the benefits of Stand Up Paddle Boarding is anyone can do it on a body of water,
being the lake, a river or the surf.
Many people were drawn to the SUP lifestyle due to the fitness aspect as Paddle Boarding
is a fantastic core strength exercise.
You can expect to pay around $849 for a basic model and up to to $1500 for a carbon
model. Lack of knowledge of your paddle boards have to buy blindly as you can attend
one of the many Demonstration Days to see how much you like it and try a variety of
boards.
BaySUP at Nelson Bay does a series of Demo Days in Newcastle and Nelson Bay, this
provides the opportunity to try different styles of board before you commit and go to
the expense of buying your own board.
BaySUP don’t just sell a wide range of paddle boards, they can provide lessons and have
social paddles. The social paddles, held at different locations, cost $20 for board hire
but is free for those with their own boards.
Lessons with BaySUP are with certified instructors who have completed course and
are able to teach children, having completed the Working With Children Check.
Costs vary with Group Lessons being cheaper but expect to pay $100 for a private
lesson but you can bring a friend for free.
If you want to try something a little bit different we recommend SUP Yoga with
Bay SUP, where you can do a yoga class in the water on your SUP.
BaySUP stock the range of SUPCO & East Coast Surfboards ranges which come
with leg rope, FCS Fins, Deck Grip and Paddles.
Anyone who has seen Glenn Turner riding his SUP at Merewether, will know he
shreds in all conditions whilst anyone who knows Glenn knows he isn’t one who
makes a big deal of his achievements.
According to Adam Keene of K Stars Surf Shop, someone who has never surfed
and doesn’t plan on hitting the surf, should start with a larger board, something
around the 10 to 11 feet mark, which gives great stability and a more enjoyable
experience.
Dropping down to a paddle board under 10 feet will see a board that has greater
maneuverability and better suited to the surfing genre.
K Stars stock the Ocean & Earth Squeeze & Blister ranges of paddle-boards that
come with deck grip.
The Squeeze range come in Flat Water or All Round styles, the later used in the
surf. Ocean & Earth also do a kids model called, The Spud. This ranger are what
is called soft tops which are forgiving when it comes to learner spills.
The Blister range are an epoxy board with a three quarter deck grip.
The Ocean & Earth range start at $849 and are well priced.
As with surfing, a longer and wider board is easier to learn on but for someone
who surfs, this may see them outgrow the board in a short period of time.
Paddle boarding is something that has proven popular with females, new
technology has seen the boards become lighter and easier to manage in the
water.
We expect to see paddle boarding grow and become more common on our lakes
and beaches, all that’s left is to get out there and give it a go.