What’s up with the SUP? Kelle Kitchel–Cooper / RockFish Group
Living in the Pacific Northwest we don’t tend to see surfers catching waves off the shorelines of the Puget Sound, however you may have spotted something that is becoming more common; men, women, children, and an occasional pooch on top of long boards (shaped like surfboards) paddling up top taking advantage of being on the water with or without waves. These long boards referred to as SUP’s (stand up paddle boards) are becoming increasingly popular. I became curious about SUP’s looking to jump start my own workout and reached out to SUP guru; author, photography and owner of Salmon Bay Paddle, Rob Casey, who shared his knowledge to help provide the answer to, “What’s up with the SUP.” The modern version of stand up paddling (or SUP) as we know it originated in the mid 1990’s when big wave surfers Laird Hamilton and David Kalama were looking for a way to train on non-surf days. While paddling around a bay south of Lahiana on Maui using a longboard and a short outrigger canoe paddle, they realized there may be a future to this activity. Laird came back the next day with a longer homemade paddle and so began a new way to get around on the water. Stand up paddling trickled into the Pacific Northwest in early 2007 after vacationers experienced it while visiting Hawaii. In 2008 SUPs became more common here when the former Seattle surf shop, Cheka Looka, as well as REI began carrying the boards. By 2009 the first 13 mile Round the Rock SUP race was held on Mercer Island with over 100 participants. Urban Surf, a surf and kite shop on Lake Union also began a summer SUP race on the lake drawing nearly thirty participants each week. In 2010 175 racers competed in the Round the Rock, and in 2011 over 300 registered to race in both the 13-mile and 2.5 mile courses. Considered to be the fastest growing water sport, SUP is easier to learn than kayaking, requires little gear, and is versatile in that you can use a standard 10 to 12 foot board on rivers, surf, in flat water, on overnight trips, and for racing and fishing. SUP's many health benefits have helped grow the sport as paddlers can now add it into their work out routine, compete in races, take SUP yoga and
paddle fitness boot camps or just hop on and take in the scenery all while doing a body good. Many who feel reluctant if they have poor to try the sport. However, a good instructor or paddle shop will help to make sure you get on the appropriately sized board for your height and weight and you should be able to stand up on a board the first time. So if you are looking to explore an alternative way to get out and enjoy the water, I recommend contacting SUP guru and instructor Rob Casey who’s business Salmon Bay Paddle offers several unique classes such as summer SUP camps, tidal rapids training at Deception Pass, SUP race training, freighter wave surfing on Puget Sound as well as SUP basics for any age or fitness level. Rob is also the author of "Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Surf and Rivers" from Mountaineers Books. Rob says, "stand up paddling is so versatile that anyone can do it, it's affordable, and it allows you to explore our local waters with minimal training all year, many quit their gym memberships as SUP is a full body exercise and unlike the gym the view is much better." To learn more about how you can see if SUP boarding is for you, Rob will be speaking about SUP in Port Townsend at the PT Marine Center May 16th from noon to 1:30 p.m. To find more about SUP you can check out Rob’s website at: http://salmonbaypaddle.com or call him to schedule a private or group lesson. Tel: 206.465.7167 E: rob@robcasey.net Founder: Stand Up Paddling Seattle Meet Up, http://www.meetup.com/StandUpPaddleSeattle Paddling Blog: Stoke Magazine, http://stokemagazine.blogspot.com/ Author: - ³Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Surf and Rivers.² - ³60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan’s Islands.² Both for Mountaineers Books. http://tinyurl.com/75csppz