Picture a perfect sunny morning with azure blue skies, a glassy horizon, and breaking surf. You paddle out early to beat the crowds and are the only one in the water. Just as you reach the lineup you turn toward the horizon to see a magnificent wave roll in as if it were waiting for you to get in the water. Each passing wave, big or small, ridden or not, is a thrill in the heart and mind of the avid stand up paddle surfer. Certitude, cordiality in the water, and surfing with elan is what the sport of stand up paddle surfing is all about…

Paddle surfing is not just about braving the waves. Stand up paddle surfing on calm water is an enriching experience as it affords you a brilliant angle of visibility of life both above and below the water. However, when the surf is up, the paddle surfer gauges the waves from the beach, slides the board into the water, and carefully manages to shore break before taking the road less traveled to surf a break away from the crowds. With grace, assurance, and respect for all other surfers in the water, each wave is turned into an epic ride.

SUP surfing is a superior core workout on both flat water and amongst the waves. It is an ideal sport for crosstraining as it builds core strength and balance. SUP surfboards are generally engineered to be slightly longer and thicker than average longboards. However as of the writing of this article, cutting edge stand up paddle surfers are ripping on 9 foot boards with pulled in noses, constantly paving the way to the future of the sport. Paddle makers have also responded to the demand for SUP surfing gear by producing specially designed paddles for stand up paddle surfing.

As a rapidly growing phenomenon across the world, paddle surfing has captivated countless enthusiasts. Perhaps it’s the grace and harmonious combination of skill and thrill that attracts us to SUP surfing. Stand up paddles surfing has enthralled surfers for over 60 years now. It’s only a matter of time before beaches worldwide are lined up with boards and paddles of every size, shape and color.

[by Nate Burgoyne]