Stand-up paddleboarding is far easier than conventional surfing, yet offers many of the same thrills
Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUPing, as it’s often called, is a strange sport. A hybrid of canoeing and surfing, it’s simultaneously been around for centuries and yet also feels incredibly new. If that sounds like a contradiction, let me explain. Among the earliest depictions of waterborne transport in human history are the glyphs of Nile river craft drawn by the ancient Egyptians in around 4,000 BCE. These show long, narrow rafts, made from bunches of papyrus reeds bound together, being propelled by people standing up and using a long-handled paddle. Squint, and you could almost be looking at a stand-up paddleboarder.
Although its origins might be said to date back thousands of years, stand-up paddleboarding as a recreational activity has only really become big in the past 20. A handful of surf instructors in Hawai’i – including Duke Kahanamoku, the man widely credited with spreading surfing around the world in the early 20th century – had begun using stand-up paddles during the post-war period. Surfing was exploding in popularity, class sizes were growing and being in an elevated position on their surfboards allowed the instructors to keep an eye on pupils scattered across the waves. They also found that using a paddle was easier than paddling with their arms, helping them conserve energy for long teaching days on the water.
It wasn’t until 2003, however, when SUPing was first added to the schedule at the Buffalo Big Board Classic contest, that the sport spread beyond the waters of Oahu. American pro surfer and media darling Laird Hamilton was among the 49 pioneers who signed up to compete that year, and played a huge part in popularising the discipline. However, the main reason for SUPing’s subsequent explosive growth – especially when compared to the notoriously tricky sport of foil surfing, which Hamilton helped develop around the same time – was its accessibility.
Stand-up paddleboarding is far easier than conventional surfing, yet offers many of the same thrills. If you’re standing up already, you don’t have to master ‘the pop’, arguably the most difficult part of learning to surf. You don’t have to spend time developing paddle strength, either. The paddle means you can catch waves even with tiny T-rex arms – and you can pick up speed more quickly, making it easier to have fun in smaller, beginner-friendly waves.
Even the sport’s biggest advocates in those early days would have been surprised by how far it’s come in the two decades since that Big Board Classic contest, however. According to industry estimates, worldwide sales of stand-up paddleboards and associated gear topped US$1.5 billion (£1.2 billion) last year, and stand-up paddleboarding has now spread into spaces that surfing could never hope to reach.
The other big secret to its success is its versatility. Unlike surfing, you don’t need waves to propel a SUP, and so the boards can be used in flat seas, lakes, rivers and even canals. The sport is still developing in new directions, too. SUP touring – strapping a tent to your board and cruising between remote beaches – is a popular variation in places such as Greece. Stand-up paddleboard yoga – practised on wide boards that are stable enough for Sirsasana headstands – has also become increasingly popular. Classes are now offered in exotic locales such as London’s Regent’s Canal. And last summer, an Italian friend of mine invented my personal favourite take on the sport – the ‘SUPeritivo’, combining the Italian institution of the aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink, with a gentle cruise around a sun-kissed mountain lake.
As we paddled out with bottles of cold white wine, crisps and plastic cups strapped to our boards, I marvelled at the sport’s almost limitless possibilities.The basic bits of kit that you need to get started in stand-up paddleboarding are remarkably simple. The paddleboard itself is obviously the first item on the list. This will vary in shape and size depending on your weight, and what you want to use it for. Like surfboards, paddleboard sizes tend to be quoted in feet and inches (even in countries such as France that use the metric system). If you’re looking to catch waves, you’re better off getting something smaller and more manoeuvrable – something around an 10’6” would work well for an average-sized man. If you’re mostly going to be paddling in lakes or rivers, you’ll probably be travelling slower, and will want more buoyancy. Anything over
11 feet is good, but you could easily go up to 14 feet. These days, many boards are inflatable, which makes them much easier to store and transport. If you’re going to be paddling anywhere chilly, it’s worth investing in a decent surfing wetsuit. You’d be surprised how much more wind you feel when you’re standing up on the water. A completely waterproof backpack, with a drybag-style roll-top is also incredibly useful, especially if you want to go SUP touring. And for before and after, a changing robe – preferably with a soft, shearling or fleece lining– is a great addition to your kit bag. It makes getting in and out of your wetsuit or swimming costume infinitely more pleasant.
As with any new discipline, stand-up paddleboard gear is still developing, with exciting new innovations emerging every year. But while the materials have come on in leaps and bounds in the last two decades, what’s really remarkable is how little the basics – that is, a board, some clothing, a bag – have changed since the ancient Egyptians were paddling papyrus rafts up and down the Nile. Which is perhaps another of the reasons for stand-up paddleboarding’s popularity – it’s easy to learn, incredibly versatile and you can go a long way with a few simple bits of kit. That being said, if someone was to launch a SUPeritivo-specific board, perhaps with a built-in wine cooler, I for one would be tempted to shell out…
Wishlist – Three items that will make paddleboarding better
The Surprisingly Useful: Red Paddle Co. Adventure Waterproof Backpack – £115
Red Paddle Co started in South Devon in 2008 and is now one of the best-known makers of paddleboard kits worldwide. As well as inflatable boards, it produces a full range of equipment and accessories, including this incredibly useful waterproof backpack. Made of recycled plastic, it has a drybag-style roll-top closure that keeps it completely watertight. It’s designed to be used both on the water – strapped to your board while touring – and off. Features such as a laptop sleeve, reflective detailing and a bike light loop make it suitable for city life, too. red-equipment.co.uk
The Luxury: Animal Hazey Recycled Waterproof Beach Parka – £120
British brand Animal has been producing wetsuits and surf clothing for decades. This parka-style changing robe is made of 100 per cent recycled materials, from the fleece lining to the waterproof outer. The main fabric has a 5,000-millimetre waterproof rating, so you won’t get wet if it starts to rain, and Animal has added a whole host of well-thought-out, practical features, such as a fully adjustable hood, convenient side pockets and a zip with a tag that’s big enough to operate even if you’re wearing wetsuit gloves. animal.co.uk
The Essential: McConks Go Explore 11’4” GT Inflatable Paddleboard – £500
Founded by Andy McConkey and his partner Jen, McConks is a family-run business. It prides itself on producing paddleboards that are made with the most durable and sustainable materials available, and selling them at an affordable price point. The boards are designed from the ground up in the Cotswolds, built by trusted suppliers in Southeast Asia and sold directly to customers, allowing McConks to cut out shops and middlemen, and keep its prices low. This 11’4” Grande Tourer is a versatile inflatable board designed for lakes, rivers, and touring. It has storage areas at the nose and tail with bungees and gear attachments, plus a nose runner and a 2+1 fin setup for extra stability. mcconks.com
