fitbody Stand Up
Paddling No Surf Required
by Lauressa Nelson Courtesy of Nicole Ware
the nearest lake, river or bay for a workout that many call thera- peutic. Promoted by Olympic athletes, moms and septuagenar- ians alike as an effective total body workout and mental release, stand up paddling, or SUP, is the fastest-growing sport across the nation, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. Stand up paddling was first developed by improvisational
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Hawaiian “beach boys,” that would stand on surfboards and use outrigger paddles to navigate alongside tourists learning how to surf. However, the sport can be enjoyed with or without waves, or wind on virtually any body of water because the paddler, rather than Mother Nature, provides propulsion. It’s luring en- thusiasts of other water sports as well; surfers, kiteboarders and windsurfers appreciate new opportunities to get on the water more often, while canoeists and kayakers enjoy the alternative of standing.
SUP is equally adored by non-athletes. “This isn’t the kind of sport that requires a lot of lessons to enjoy,” advises Jeff Robinson, owner of Olde Naples Surf Shop, in Naples, Florida,
hile some frustrated commuters are inching along on rush hour highways, hoping to afterward work off stress at overcrowded gyms, others are stopping off at
who offers a 15-minute tutorial on the basics with each rental.
Exercise in Disguise “One of the best aspects of SUP is that it is low impact, making it a lifetime sport,” emphasizes David Rose, owner of Paddleboard Orlando. In fact, that’s why
just about anyone over the age of 5 can participate. The paddler controls the speed and intensity of the experience, from recre- ational cruising to aerobic athletic training. “We call it exercise in disguise, because there’s so much
going on that you don’t realize when you’re doing it,” explains Mike Muir, president of Riviera Paddlesurf, in San Clemente, California. The 54-year-old took up SUP after a hip replacement and credits it for relieving him of chronic lower back pain, as well as excess pounds. “It’s the cardio and calorie-burning equivalent of swim- ming or running,” explains Brody Welte, owner of Stand Up Fitness, in St. Petersburg, Florida. “But unlike either of those, SUP combines low-impact and weight-bearing exercise; and it includes balance and strength training.” “My balance has improved 100 percent; I can stand on
a board today that I could not stand on one year ago,” affirms 73-year-old renowned surfer and board shaper Mickey Muñoz, of Capistrano, California, who paddles with his 65-pound dog aboard.
More than a Workout
Payoffs, however, go well beyond the physical. SUP fans that characterize it as a great escape from their daily milieu men- tion social, psychological and spiritual benefits, as well. “When you’re out paddling, it’s easy to find solitude,” muses Hawaiian-born Dave Chun, founder of Kialoa Paddles,
40 Broward County, Florida
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