So, tell me about this paddle-board thing

STAND-UP PADDLING
BY MIKE MCFADZEN

There is something hypnotic about gliding atop the water on a blue-sky day with the sun streaming around you. The youngest member of the paddle sports family just turned 12. Stand-up-paddle-boarding, or SUP, is the sport of standing on a surf-style board using a paddle to propel yourself through the water.

SUPs originated via the Hawaiian and California surf scene more than 40 years ago, becoming mainstream in the late 1990s. From the original surfing “hang 10” board, the sport has branched out in numerous directions, with the touring style being the most popular in the Midwest.

Considered a fad several years, SUPs are the fastest growing segment of the paddle-sports market with a median partaker age of 28. First-timers range in age from 5-70 according to the Outdoor Foundation’s Outdoor Participation Report.

The SUP market is predicted to grow by 18 percent by 2020. Analysts estimate that upwards of 1.5 million American’s have tried the sport. According to the Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan (SCORP), women outnumber men in SUP participation.

You’ve seen them all over the place; they sell them at Fleet Farm, Costco, sporting goods stores and almost everywhere else. What do I need to know? First off, there are several different ways to SUP, including surf, touring, yoga, fishing, racing and whitewater. The good thing is that you can use the same board for many of these genres.

Basics

There are two major board designs. The “displacement” style, which uses a v-hull, better slices through the water. The “surf” style which has a rounded nose and is typically considered more stable.

Both board designs can be used for most SUP genres and are either inflatable or hard surface.    The most popular boards generally range in size from 25-36 inches wide and are 10-14 feet long. The most stable boards are wider and shorter, albeit slower, while the narrow and long boards are faster and good for touring and racing.

Paddle-boards range in price from $400 to $4,000. Plan on spending about $1,000 if you intend to stay with the sport.

There are a myriad of materials used for today’s modern SUPs. Most good boards use polyester or epoxy glass-reinforced plastic with a foam core utilizing layered construction. Top end boards are partially constructed from carbon fiber, making them extremely light and moldable, but carbon fiber is expensive and not as durable as resin boards.

Almost all boards are made in Asia with approximately 10 percent made in the states. Currently, there are no tariffs on SUPs, but paddle sports organizations are concerned that some materials could fall victim to the trade war with China.

Purchasing a SUP

I recently went through the SUP buying process and will share what I’ve learned. My wife Karen and I have paddled SUPs going back four years. Our first board was an inflatable, rounded-nose Costco special, measuring  36 inches wide by 11 feet long. This is a good board for taking a slow trip around the lake and is stable enough to take our dog Woody for a spin (see photo).

Since I was monopolizing our first SUP, we purchased a second board. The Avalanche Voyager has a displacement hull and measures 31 inches wide by 12 feet long. The Voyager is faster and tracks straighter (meaning more strokes on each side of the SUP). It’s a quicker trip around the lake, but Woody prefers the Costco special. Maybe it’s the color?

My two SUPs are great for inland lakes, but I yearned to get on Lake Michigan and pick up a little speed. That brought me to Midwest Paddlesports in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where I met co-owners Chris and Suzanna Rosario.

Chris gave me (and others) a comprehensive overview of SUPs, a short lesson and recommended several boards that fit my interests.

After two trips to Oconomowoc and demoing several boards, I purchased a BlkBox Uno. The Uno is 28 inches wide by 12½ feet long and tracks extremely straight. The BlkBox company is located in Oxford, Michigan, with loads of experience producing boards that can handle Lake Michigan surf and the inland lakes. The Uno is faster than my other boards, so I might even jump in on a local race.  I can’t stress how important is it to try different boards before you buy and know the primary genres for your SUP interests.

How do I get on it?

Your first time paddle-boarding can be a little intimidating. Carry your board to knee deep water; mount the board with your knees on each side of the carry handle. Stay on your knees, paddling into deeper water. Place your feet on either side of the carry handle, and use your hands to stand up. This may feel clumsy at first, so paddle around and get the hang of it. If you lose your balance, try to fall away from the board, as water is softer than thumping the board. Almost everyone falls their first time out. To remount, reach across the board holding onto the edge, then in one motion, kick your legs and porpoise yourself back on the board.

Much like any sport, SUP technique varies depending on the user’s goal. Many people are perfectly happy slowly paddling around a lake similar to cross-country skiers walking their skis around the trail. Good SUP technique is similar to good cross-country technique: knees slightly bent, weight over the balls of your feet and use core strength to propel forward, not the arms. It’s similar to double-poling with all your weight coming down on the paddle.

Set the blade deep entering the water three to four feet in front of your feet, and slice out of the water at your heel. Don’t bend your bottom arm during the stroke. There are tons of online videos that focus on technique.

How and what to buy

Many paddle-sports stores have weekly paddle outings and other events. It’s a good opportunity to engage the SUP scene, learn about the sport and determine which boards work for you. Wisconsin’s first dedicated surf shop is EOS, located in Sheboygan. EOS has gotten into the surf/SUP scene in a big way, hosting demos, races and other unique events. Recently, EOS hosted the River Riot, a fun non-race event where paddlers tow a half-barrel 1 mile along the Sheboygan River. River Riot was filled to capacity, followed by good food and microbrews. Sounds like my kind of event.

I recommend a displacement board for most uses. Purchase something that you can grow into and not plateau immediately. My most important advice is to try before you buy. Cheap foam boards can be tippy, easily damaged and not a durable as high-quality boards.

Don’t forget to buy a paddle, which range from fiberglass to carbon fiber. Paddles are sized by the user’s height with some manufacturers offering adjustable paddle lengths.

PDFs are required, and other options include ties to stow gear and a leg leash.

Most good paddle-sport stores offer demonstrations and events where it’s easy to try different boards.

SUP is a complete body workout and is excellent for core strength. After a few outings, balance becomes easier and the paddler gains confidence. It’s a little like walking on water, standing above water and gazing into the lake, river or at the adjacent shoreline.

Cruising the SUP is a fun way to observe nature and get an excellent work-out.