26th Aug 2021
With both a modern history and ancient comparable activities, paddle boarding in its most modern form can be traced back to Hawaii in the 1940s. As a local Hawaiian surfer started to struggle getting up and down from his board, as he was getting older, and as such he would stay standing on his board from the break then paddle out using a canoe paddle towards the waves. The man’s children would then adopt this technique and taught it to tourists that visited Hawaii. Eventually spreading much like the ‘conventional’ form of surfing it originated from.
According to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2013 Outdoor Participation Report, stand up paddle boarding was the most popular outdoor activity among first-time participants. A later Outdoor Foundation report found that 2.8 million Americans participate in standup paddle boarding.
What is paddle boarding?
Considered a combination of surfing and kayaking, however it does not require waves like surfing, instead calm waters can provide better conditions for beginners.
Stand up paddleboards, used during paddleboarding, are flat boards between 8 and 12 feet long (2.4 M and 3.6 M) and 28 - 34 inches wide (71 cm – 86 cm) many modern models are also inflatable, ideal for transport or storage during the more miserable months. The boards provide a stable base perfect for the paddleboarder to balance upon, allowing the user to easily move around the board without it tipping precariously.
What are the benefits of paddle boarding?
The sport of paddleboarding is an excellent way to improve both physical health and mental health.
- The sports origins prove that the sport can be mastered by people of all ages, that means that no one needs to miss all the fun.
- With the growing popularity of the sport there will be no shortage of new people to meet even before getting out onto the water.
- Being a full body exercise means that you can improve all sorts of muscle groups including, abs, legs, shoulders and core and back muscles.
- The possibility of being able to stand out in calm waters can provide you with incredible views of equally incredible scenery.
- The ease of learning means you will never not be having fun, even if you are falling in – just remember to wear a buoyancy aid!
Fun activities for paddle boarding -
There are also many offshoots of paddleboarding that you can take part in too, including, paddleboard surfing, paddleboard touring, paddleboard yoga and paddleboard fishing.
Like traditional surfing, paddleboard surfing allows the surfer to remain standing on the board from the shore out to the surf. The paddle can then be used to steer as the surfer attempts to catch the wave. Particularly favourable with surfers who may be suffering from physical limitations such as hip or shoulder injuries.
Paddleboard touring on flat water is considered an attractive option to those planning on keeping their adventure inland while maintaining a sense of adventure, personal achievement, or serenity all while staying connected with nature.
Paddleboard yoga is simply the practice of yoga while positioned on a paddle board. Carried out on calm or still water such as lakes and bays, though a small anchor can be used as one of several additions made to the standard paddle board. The paddle board is modified to better suit the requirements of yoga, with a wider than normal hull, an enlarged soft yet non-slippery surface situated in the centre of the board to provide better grip, paddle holders to provide a clear deck for your yoga poses, and lastly the carrying handle is no longer placed in the centre of the board.
Another activity that can be performed while riding upon a paddleboard is fishing. A paddleboard is a lower cost solo skiff fishing platform perfect for use in shallow water estuaries. An inflatable paddleboard is ideal for destination fishing, as it can be easily stored onboard a car, larger watercraft, or even as luggage for commercial flights. Thanks to their smaller profile, paddleboards do not displace as much a more conventional skiff would, this increases their ability to get close to fish without scaring them away. There are also designs of paddleboards that allow for the fitting of small engine mounting, extending the range of a paddleboard fisher.
Where can I buy a paddle board?
Funny you ask! We stock a superb range of paddle boards from leading brands including Seago, Funwater and Waveline, so you can really get the most out of your time on the water. Furthermore, our extensive range caters for all types of users – from those new to paddle boarding, right up to the pros, and of course everyone in-between.
Best Buoyancy Aid For Paddle Boarding:
Paddle boarding is extremely fun, but safety should always be your biggest priority. That is why we stock a fantastic range of buoyancy aids for paddle boarding – with our most popular being Spinlock’s Alto 50N Belt Pack.
The belt pack is a lightweight, comfortable SUP buoyancy aid worn around the waist. When activated using the manual pull toggle, an inflatable tube is released from the waist pack which supports the user under the arms. As the Alto Belt Pack is so lightweight and compact, it feels almost invisible when worn.
Alternative Water Activities:
Another water-related activity that has seen a recent surge in popularity is kayaking – why not find out more about our inflatable kayaks and learn more about the activity? Or if you are looking for some adrenaline-fuelled fun, we also stock towable water toys!
