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.

SUP is an ideal activity for water sport lovers who lack the balance or skill for traditional surfing. The bigger, thicker SUP boards make it easier to keep one's balance when catching a wave. The upright position also has the benefit that one stays mostly dry and has a better view of the environment and approaching waves to ride!

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.

Although people have used tree stumps and other forms of floats and paddles to fish standing up since the earliest times, it is believed that the modern form of SUP originated in Hawaii. It only became popular in the USA during the last decade after a veteran of Vietnam introduced it there and a custom surf shaper created one of the first modern SUP boards.

Today, there are a huge variety of SUP boards, made of different materials and in different shapes and sizes, that one can choose from. The two main types are the All Arounder and the Racing or Touring SUP boards. The latter is aimed at professional, competitive paddlers, while the All Arounder is for beginners and those who just want to enjoy the experience.

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.

The price of a new SUP board is generally between $600 and $1500, but if you shop around, you will probably find some good second-hand bargains. They are made from different materials and those specifically designed for kids and women are ultra-light and easier to carry. The most important aspect to consider when looking for a SUP board is finding one that best fits your size, weight, flexibility and purpose.




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