Stand Up Paddle Boards – Join In and Experience the Pleasure of Stand Up Paddle Boards
Stand up paddle boards can only be described as great fun, especially for those people who love being on the water enjoying physical activity. Also Stand Up Paddle Boards provide great exercise… Women can burn 500 – 700 calories an hour, while for men, it is 700 – 1000 calories and it strengthens the abs, arms, legs and all the muscles of the back and shoulders, so it has great fitness value.
The sport has been around since the early 1900s and stand up paddle boards, like surfboards, were first made in Hawaii. The sport became popular in the 40s and 50s, especially in Waikiki, when surf instructors stood on paddle boards to take photographs of students whom they were instructing. Also Stand up paddle boards presented other options for surfers who wanted to train when there wasn’t any surf.
What Makes Stand Up Paddle Boards Unique?
The main characteristic that differentiates stand up paddle boards from the other aquatic sports like straight boarding or surfing is that stand up paddle boards do not require waves. You could use them on flat water, in rivers, on lakes or in bays and harbors… you don’t need to venture out into the surf straight up, or ever for that matter. Still being able to use a stand up paddle board on flat water is part of the appeal, if the surf is flat it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good work-out and have a lot of fun.
Finding flat water is the key when beginning to learn to use stand up paddle boards. It is much easier learning how to stand and stabilizing the board if there are no waves buffeting you. A lot of people progress to riding their Boards in the waves, but of course, this is all about personal choice. There is still heaps of fun to be had paddling along in flat water, enjoying the sights, sound and smells of the water.
When Investing in Stand Up Paddle Boards You Need To Consider…
When it comes to purchasing stand up paddle boards there are some important considerations, like the thickness, length, width and height of the stand up paddle boards. The width of stand up paddle boards is very important as it affects the stability of the board. The average width of stand up paddle boards is around 29”. If you want to cruise around easily or are a beginner you could opt for wider board with a width of 29” to 31”. Those who are experienced and want more challenges could go for a slimmer stand up paddle boards, around the 27” to 28” width. You have to keep in mind that narrower stand up paddle boards are harder to stabilize, but allow you to maneuver better.
The length of stand up paddle boards also determines their stability and affects maneuverability. The more popular lengths for stand up paddle boards are 12 foot, 11 foot and 10 foot. A 10 foot board is easily maneuvered, but it will tip you off more easily than the longer boards.
Same deal when it comes to the thickness of stand up paddle boards. Stand up paddle boards usually have thickness in the range of 4 to 5 inches. A thicker stand up paddle board will provide a very stable platform, compared to the thinner boards, but they don’t go as fast and are not as maneuverable.
With Stand up paddle boards you have even more choices. A flat bottom board will provide more stability than a concave board and is great for those just starting in the sport or those looking to use the board for a work-out, but if you intend using your stand up paddle boards in the surf you should consider a board with an increased concave and rocker.
What are Stand Up Paddle Boards constructed off…
Stand up paddle boards are usually made of Epoxy resin and EPS that is special foam. They are also available in varying qualities like heavy aluminum and light weight carbon fiber boards. Stand up paddle boards will help you to train in off season or just stay in great shape.
You can share lots of great fun with the entire family by using them – Mom Dad and the kids can all easily master stand up paddle boards, and it is great exercise… certainly a lot healthier than having the kids glued to a computer game. Jump on a stand up paddle board and start having a super time!
Stand Up Paddle Boards – You Will Need Accessories.
Don’t forget you will need accessories with stand up paddle boards. Sounds like stating the bleeding obvious, but you will need a paddle. You can also add carry cases, fins, handles, air vents and deck pads.
Stand Up Paddle Boards Pointers and Techniques - Especially For Those Just Starting.
Starting on your knees and then quickly and confidently standing up is the best technique. Easily said than done, but just forgetting you are on the water and image you are standing up on a board on the land – same action. Will you fall in sometimes – of course, but don’t sweat it, everyone falls in.
You should stand up facing forwards. A surfer has their feet facing at right angles to the length of the board but a stand up paddle boarder stands with their feet facing in the same direction as the board.
Stand straight with your knees slightly bent.
As you begin to paddle, don’t lean forward and thus lean into the stroke, stand straight. This allows you to use your core and back muscles whilst paddling and allows you to get more power into your stroke. A lot of people tend to lean forward but this is a mistake – avoid leaning forwards. It looks awkward standing upright but you will appreciate this little tip in the long run.
Also standing straight and bending the knees provides much better balance than leaning forward.
Have your feet slightly apart, similar to your normal standing position.
Stand in the middle or just slightly forward of the middle of the stand up paddle board.
Most important of all is to simply have fun and enjoy the hours of fun stand up paddle boards provide.
The different shapes of stand up paddle boards
Are you on the lookout for stand up paddle boards? Are you thinking of trying the sport out but are confused about the different options in stand up paddle boards that are available? Have you graduated from the first board and want to purchase a second specific board? There are a variety of shapes in stand up paddle boards in the market at the moment. Let us examine the main shapes in stand up paddle boards, their purpose as well as performance.
Basic Kinds Of Stand Up Paddle Boards
The basic kinds of stand up paddling are rapid/river paddling, touring paddle boards, downwind paddling, paddle surfing, flat water racing and recreational flat water paddling.
Many stand up paddle boards are designed for casual or first time paddlers. Such stand up paddle boards fall in the category of “All Around”. These stand up paddle boards could be used for the kinds of paddling that are mentioned above to greater or lesser extents though they are ideal for recreational flat water paddling. Such stand up paddle boards usually measure 30” in width or more. The typical lengths for beginners are 11’ to 12’. Riders who are light could start on 10’ to 10’6” stand up paddle boards.
The All Around stand up paddle boards tend to have wide tails and noses and considerable thickness all over in the range of 4 ½” and 5”. The wide tail, wide nose and overall larger stand up paddle boards are very forgiving and stable.
These characteristics are ideal to have in stand up paddle boards if you are learning basics of paddling, balance, wave riding, wave negotiation and building your total conditioning and strength.
Quite a number of All Around stand up paddle boards feature a center fin. Some people tend to use performance shaped stand up paddle boards right at the start, but a better option usually is so to start on an All Around board and then graduate after a while to a more performance enhancing shape. Once you graduate to a second board you could loan the first board to a boy friend/girlfriend, husband/wife or friends.
Stand Up Paddle Boards – More Options
Spend the time to find a stand up paddle board that let you progress from the basics of flat water to paddling in the surf if using your stand up paddle board in the surf is a goal.
Further options for stand up paddle boards are tours, participating in flat water races and navigating rapids and rivers.
Stand up paddle boarding is taking giant steps in popularity as riders skills develop and stand up paddle board technology is advancing.
Obviously when you become more proficient with different styles, it means using different shapes of the stand up paddle boards. If you want to learn paddle surfing, the All Around shape in stand up paddle boards is ideal for starting, particularly in small surf. It will give you extra stability to paddle into a wave confidently. The length will be helpful to your glide when you gain speed for entering the wave.When you are on a wave, this shape would be stable below your feet. While bigger stand up paddle boards are ideal for beginners, you could go for smaller stand up paddle board to surf on.
As you progress you will want the smallest board possible that is stable and you could balance on. If you are setting out to surf, try borrowing a little board from someone, if possible, and try it out.
The shape of the nose rider is similar to that of an All Around. It is used for paddle surfing. It has quite a wide nose so that you could hang five or ten toes off its edge. Its tail is available in a variety of shapes like pin tail, round, squash or square.
Nose rider stand up paddle boards that are meant specifically for surfing tend to have narrow tapered rails. The thickness of the nose is also less. The tail is also very thin so that it gets buried in the waves at the time of turns. You could perform backward takeoffs by paddling stand up paddle boards backwards into a wave and then spinning it 180 degrees after catching the waves. “Helicopters” include 360 degree turns that are initiated at the time of nose riding.
Rippers are stand up paddle boards that have shapes of blown up short boards. They help paddle surfers in turning faster, to negotiate barrels and drop in on steep waves easily. Standard “Rippers” have pulled in tails, pointy noses and 4 fin “Quad” or 3 fin “thruster” set up. Sizes are usually in the range of 7 and 10 feet. The most common size is the 9’ – 9’6”.
Once stand up paddle boards reach the speed, they should be able to make drops and then turn fast while their rails are in contact with waves. Usually, big wave stand up paddle boards are in the range of 11’ and 13’. They have thinner widths than normal stand up paddle boards. The point nose as well as in tail is pulled in. The 3 fin “thruster” is the standard fin configuration.
Spend The Time To Find The Right Stand Up Paddle Boards.
We urge you to made an informed decision about which stand up paddle boards suit your needs so that you can get the maximum value from your board.