Has anyone tried Standup paddling yet? We had some stand-up boards out during the practice swims at the IM AZ a couple of weeks ago. Here’s a link http://www.asbe-surf.com/news.asp?Id_news=33720
Just curious what you guys think of this new fitness/recreational option.
This video features Huddle, JT, Roch & Heather’s views on stand-up as a training option.
http://www.youtube.com/v/Izd6G62A4UA&hl=en"><param
Looking forward to reading everyone’s comments.
Duke
No thanks. “If” I am going to surf, I will try the real one. We look geek enough in skinsuits and aerobike, no need to try the water version of Segway 
I’ve had a SUP (stand up paddleboard) for about a year now- it’s a great way to get a core work out. You would not believe the amount of benefit you can get from just paddling around- even in flat water. Every muscle in your body is used to help you balance and control the board and paddle as you propel yourself through the water. And there are many a day (happens quite a bit here in So Fla) where I’ll be the only one out catching a few rides- being that because of the size of the board and and propulsion capabilities of the paddle it is possible to ride waves when even the longboarders cannot catch them (waves that are too small or weak).
It’s catching on in a big way here, and everywhere else from what I’ve seen.
PS- and surfer chicks dig them- works better than a puppy 
Don’t tell big-wave surfers like Laird Hamilton that they’re riding the Segway of the surfing world - those guys are out on the lead edge of the standup paddleboard revolution.
Patagonia has a great standup paddleboard pic on their website right now as well.
I haven’t had an opportunity to try it yet, but would definitely like to…
VR,
Lifeguardsteve - thanks for your feedback on the benefits of paddling your SUP. Florida is a great place to use these boards since you guys are surrounded by water! A couple of years ago I did some SUP training in Naples, FL. We paddled for miles in and out of all the canals behind the houses there. We were joined by a couple of manatees for part of the paddle…
FYI to really impress the ladies, do what Huddle does and paddle with a puppy on the nose of your board.
Hey BH,
Will you be at the IM in Orlando next month or Coeur d’Alene in June? We’ll be leading the swim in those races and will have standup boards for you to test drive.
dukebra,
I would have loved to be able to take you up on your offer at the Florida race in May - I only live an hour and a half from the race site.
Unfortunately, I finally got things locked in today to attend one of my required pre-command courses (I’m in the military), so I’ll be up in South Carolina over that weekend. Rotten luck… Maybe another time.
Thanks,
"That’s enough of a reason for me…where do I pickup my board, my paddle, and my surfer chick?
Haim
living a block from the beach here in florida, and seing then at IMAZ i am thinking of getting one for sure. I already have a couple of long boards
lame fad…sorta like suvs and off-road usage. 99.9% won’t use in surf. then what’s the point?
great marketing though.
lame fad…sorta like suvs and off-road usage. 99.9% won’t use in surf. then what’s the point?
great marketing though.
The point is you don’t need surf to use them— can surf waves that long and short boards can’t catch… And yes, you are exactly right- even if one never uses it for surfing they will non the less become as popular as SUV’s. Kind of like when IBM said personal computers were a fad ;-).
You landlubbers haven’ a clue. They are all over on Oahu. Great workout when there are no waves and you can catch waves before the longboarders and the poor shortboarders don’t stand a chance. Sort of pissing off the lineup, but not as much as the windsurfers (they all get up late). They are way more fun than a paddleboard and the fast guys hold their own against the midpack canoes and kayaks.
I am thinking about leaving one in Montana at moms to paddle on the river and/or lake for a workout. You also get to see a lot more of the coastline and the reef as you are a lot higher off the water. Saw a cool youtube on some guys in Bend doing the river in winter.
They are not a fad and they aren’t going away. The pros love them as they are a total body workout. I was sore from the toes to the nose my first time out.
And on flat days we go out to the reef and do some “stand up snorkeling” since you can see everything very clearly as you look down from a standing position. Sea turtles don’t even get spooked until the very last second being that the board glides very quietly over the water.
Funny note— I’ve had several small vessels speed towards me on occasion as I’ve paddled out mile or two offshore. They see me from a distance and think I’m some sort of Cuban rafter signaling in distress (they see my hand movements with my paddle from a distance and think I am waving for help). I’ve even had the Coast Guard IRB’s swoop in on me being that someone had probably called in a Cuban rafter sighting. They are not to happy as they arrive and realize it’s a false alarm. They even threatened to arrest me once since they deemed I was too far offshore for safety- but since I carry a emergency life vest fanny pack I laughed and advised them (they already knew) they had no legal standing to do so. The large freight vessels anchored offshore waiting to dock get a kick out of me using them as turn buoys when I paddle out on my lunch break. SUP’s are a blast!
Okay look at this picture and tell me the difference between Laird and the rest of the SUP’ers.
When he’s done he goes home to this.
Ha ha- Laird does ok for an old married guy- and has nice boards (my SUP is a Laird design). Just get yourself an SUP and you can join the club :-).
(All my SUP pics are of my hottie friends borrowing it :-).
Oh man is that a Wicked Weasel she’s wearing? (google it, trust me)
LOL, yes- those are catching on in a big way here too!
Dude, adopt me, okay I’m 45, but I’m currently living in surfless coastal SC, it’s not all bad, great weather for year 'round training, beautiful women, and I’m here with my best friend. I realized after 18 months of living here I just need to use some vacay time and go to Central America and surf my ass off for a week, about the only thing that’ll get me through.
Anyone encounter the BIC Jungle multi-purpose board?
It is supposed to be a SUP/Surfboard/Sailboard. I know if cannot be optimal for any of these activities but I would use it in Lake Michigan during our yearly vacation. We might experience everything from dead flat to pretty rough fast waves in a one week span.
Also, anyone know whether old sailboards (BIC and/or F2 Lighting) would work for SUP? My brother and i have surfed (poorly) with these old boards on lake Michigan.
Come to think of it, I may start a new thread about freshwater surfing, etc., sorry for the hijack
David K
" lame fad…sorta like suvs and off-road usage. 99.9% won’t use in surf. then what’s the point?"
The point is you don’t need surf! Surf is simply an added bonus. SUP’s are way more fun to drive than SUV’s and they get considerably better gas mileage…
As with most new things, you need to get out on one to see what it’s all about. Once you do a few laps around the lake on a warm spring day, you’ll get it and you’ll be glad you gave it a shot! They’re like the road bikes of the waterways, you can use them to cruise around and explore lakes, rivers…, or go out on a windy day and do long downwind paddles, riding wind waves the whole way (need to get a ride back to the start) or use them to train like a mad man and log countless miles on the water every week… when you do get out to the coast, it all about riding waves.
Here’s a few photos of what standup paddling on flat water looks like… (sorry thetodd, no wicked weasels)
Roch Frey breaking a sweat
David K - Outpost of Holland and Third Coast in New Buffalo Michigan both carry SUP boards. Sounds like they get fun waves on Lake Michigan fairly often…