Standuppaddling for beginners

Source: W i k i p e d i a

The Stand Up Paddling

originally goes back to Polynesian fishermen, who moved in their canoes before Tahiti on the sea. In particular, one-man bamboo rafts are still in use in Asia, in which paddles are used in standing next to rods. In Hawaii, the place where surfing was invented, Stand Up Paddling was the king's sport. Only chosen ones were allowed to move outside him.

In the 20th century, stand-up paddling became a comfortable way for surfing instructors in Hawaii to get from the shore to the surfacing reefs and back faster by using a paddle. Due to the raised position on the board, the surf instructor also has a better overview of the surfing students. The special feature was that they often sat on the board in a chair and took pictures with non-waterproof cameras.

Only years later, Stand Up Paddling was also used for windsurfing and surfing, as you can do it without wind or waves. In recent years, Stand Up Paddling has become more and more popular as recreational sport and has developed into an independent water sport. Stand-up paddling is mainly used in Hawaii, on the US Pacific coast, in Australia, in the British Isles and in Japan. In Europe, Stand Up Paddling z. B. on inland waters catchment.

Although still without a fixed set of rules, the sport is mainly divided into these two disciplines:

Stand Up Paddle Surfing

Distance Stand Up Paddling

There are even less common disciplines, such as river surfing etc. Meanwhile, national and international competitions are held in both disciplines.

Brand new, the Pronen has arrived. Here you lie on a board similar to the board and paddle your arms.

Technic

If possible, the athlete stands upright on the surfboard and uses a piercing paddle to create propulsion, as in canoeing. The side on which the paddle is pulled forwards in the water and over the water, is changed regularly. In the most commonly used game, the movement is alternated by paddling with the technique of surfing. The paddle is used while surfing in addition to controlling the surfboard and to support the balance. By combining with the technique of surfing, the speed can be briefly increased by the thrust of waves. This makes it possible to travel a total of faster and with less effort than with pure paddling. With the stand-up paddling on lakes or on the coasts can also be traveled well longer distances (Distance Stand Up Paddling).

Equipment/gear

Boards / Boards

Initially, existing longboards or so-called tandem boards from the surfing were used because they generate enough lift to carry the weight of the athlete with equipment (paddle, clothing), and this could stand on it without problems. Also from surfing comes the board leash, which prevents the loss of the board. Meanwhile, various manufacturers offer special SUP boards and paddles. SUP boards for stand up paddling in the wave in the past resembled an ordinary surfboard in their geometry. In the meantime, certain shapes have been developed specifically for this sport. On the market there are boards in lengths between 1.80 m and over 4 meters, with the volume of the boards between 100 and 250 liters moves.

The Distance Stand Up Paddling uses a board type similar in shape to fast rowboats, but this can not be generalized. Alternatively, models similar to outrigger or lifeguard boards in the hull form are used. In some SUP boards, the volume is enough to carry several people. SUP boards are rarely made from the same materials and technology as other surfboards. Meanwhile, a proprietary technique has been developed to design SUP boards. To ensure a secure footing, rough or rubberized surfaces of ethylene vinyl acetate are used, whereby waxing is especially popular with professionals.

Since 2011, a new production technique based on the Dropstitch process has enabled the manufacture of inflatable SUP boards that are easier to transport. This makes the boards interesting for the leisure paddler. By contrast, critics say that even an internal pressure of up to 25 psi only approximates the rigidity of a conventional SUP board and is therefore still not a fully-fledged alternative to the epoxy stand-up paddle board, especially in the professional sector.

Paddle

The paddle used in the Standup Paddle Surfing discipline should be about one paddle-blade length longer than the surfer himself. The paddle is often a little bit longer in distance stand up paddling. This allows for longer and more powerful moves and, consequently, a higher top speed on the track, with many pros swearing the opposite.

You do not need a course or training for stand up paddeling.  Of course, if you like you can always use one of the many offers. But sup is not a sport like sailing or surfing, where you need a licence. It's like cycling or canoeing. In and out If you enter the security information here on our site, stick to the sup rules like protection zones and watch our videos, you can start right away.

14'   Touring or Raceboard

12'6 Touring or Raceboard

11'2  Allround Board

10'2 Wave Board or Allround

never buy a board or paddle that:

> needs less than 1 bar ie 15 psi pressure 

> not a cheap aluminum paddle if you want more than just waddling around

> no smaller board than a 11'2 if you want to carry kids

> no thinner board than 6 inches if you have more than 60 kg

> no narrower board than 32-36 inches if you do not race

> no hardboard if you can not store the board

> no fixed paddle if you drive at different conditions

If you´re a fun boarder never use a board that:

> not less than 230 liters

> not less than 11'2 otherwise it will be very difficult with a child on it

> not thinner than 4 inches otherwise you are permanently in the water

> not narrower than 34 inches otherwise it will be wobbly

> After the kg information is often wrong, take one rather where your

    Body weight plus 20 kg fit on it.

If you want to become a passionate racer

Unfortunately, very few of us are sponsored and can afford the luxury Sup Race life demands today.

Often there are restrictions. Sometimes a 12'6 is allowed, sometimes a 14'er or both. You drive a sprint or a long distance race. You drive in the sea or in the wave, or you drive in the Flatwater and mainly for example. quiet lakes.

You are driving downwinders or normal.

You have the transport options and storage facilities. (At the hardboard)

Racers drive only 14 '' or 12'6 'boards. From time to time there are 17 in the ocean, but we forget it. The width is often narrower with less than 29 inches to 23 inches. See that you stand your board. The mega athletic board will not do you any good if it throws you off the slightest unrest like a racehorse.

Consider the resale value of your board. There are no limits to the top. 3.300 Eurettes are no longer a rarity for a superboard racing board (Hardboard of course) - but what if you get on it? You would have rather had a 12'6. On the Internet are good offers for used from 1,000 euros!

WHAT PADDLE SHOULD I LIKE?

The paddle is best saved, but a good paddle does not have to be expensive at the same time. Here, the investment pays off in a carbon paddle from the beginning. At the latest if you are more than 2 km or more than 1 month on the board.

THE LENGTH OF THE PADDLE

The overall length of the paddle depends on your body size and the area of application. How to determine that you can see in the video above on basics.

For tours in shallow, shallow waters, you should choose the shaft longer than with fast rides with short but frequent paddle strokes.

With a shorter paddle, you can get higher strokes on fast rides.

ALUMINUM PADDLE

ADVANTAGE - Hard to beat in price

DISADVANTAGE - sow hard and do not swim

Our recommendation - only for short-term paddlers and families on a budget that use the board as a fun board instead of the air mattress

Carbon, fiberglass, PE paddle

The shafts of most paddles today are made of carbon fiber (carbon) and full carbon paddles also the paddle blade.

Full carbon paddles bring the least weight to the scale.

But they are also quite sensitive to bumps and blows.

Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) paddle blades are slightly heavier than even carbon fiber blades. But such composite paddles are cheaper to have than models made of carbon and not quite as sensitive.

You will also find paddles with PE - polyethylene sheets. They are most resistant to impacts and bumps, but they increase the weight of the paddle.

These are also mostly mounted on the aluminum paddles.

Paddles from all manufacturers are available with different sized leaves in many shapes.

BIG PADDLE SHEET

The larger the blade, the larger the distance you will travel with a paddle (sroke). For that, you also have to spend more power.

SMALL PADDLE LEAF

A smaller paddle blade can be pulled through the water with less effort.

Apparently you're not that fast. However, smaller paddle blades also allow higher beat numbers (frequency).

Many paddle models can be purchased as 1, 2 or even 3 piece models.

With a 1-piece paddle you have to set the length of the shaft right at the beginning. Later, it will only shorten further.

You can set a 2-part paddle longer or shorter as needed;

A 3-piece paddle fits into the board bag and is as flexible in its length as a 2-piece