‘SUP. Once a colloquialism for “what’s up,” today SUP has gained popularity as an acronym for standup paddleboarding.
With roots in surfing, you may doubt SUP can be your new summer hobby obsession. But, trust us, this workout – turned summer hobby – turned obsession is perfect for people of all ages, athletic ability, and proximity to the ocean.
Here are six reasons why you should make SUPing your new summer hobby obsession.
- No ocean required: We get it – not everyone is lucky enough to live by the ocean. But, if you have a lake or a river within driving distance, SUP is for you.
- Mastering Mindfulness: You can choose to SUP alone or with like-minded people who want to enjoy nature. With a low environmental impact, taking to your board is a brilliant way of slowing things down and really seeing a place.
- No athletic prowess required: Have you seen the yoga SUP’ers?!?!?! Yea – so have we and that’s definitely a case study in extreme SUPing. Standup paddle boarding is surprisingly easy – just be sure to find the board that fits your height, weight and ambitions.
- It’s for introverts and extroverts: Whatever your personality, SUPing is for you. Want to avoid people for hours and enjoy the great outdoors? Want to pretend to hang out with acquaintance but be just far away to say “I can’t hear you – tell me later?” SUPs got you. On the flip side, want to relax with your friends while lounging in the middle of a body of water, drinking a beverage, listening to music and getting some great pics? SUP’s got ya! SUP is whatever you want it to be – and you look good doing it.
- DTT: Down To Travel. So, here’s the deal. Kayaks and canoes are heavy. SUPs weigh, on average, 25 pounds and there are a ton of functional SUP roof racks for sedans and coupes that are the perfect balance of sporty and functional. Inflatable SUPs are also popular and fit perfectly into a duffle bag, which means you’re always DTT to the next picturesque paddle.
- Here’s what the experts say: “SUP puts nearly every single muscle in your body to work, but one area that’s targeted the most while you’re out on the water is your core,” according to Jose Gonzalez, ACE Certified personal trainer and REI outreach market manager. “It works your core and legs through the movement of bringing the paddle to the board.
“A casual paddle will burn about 430 calories an hour, according to SUP World Mag. Upgrade your session to a yoga workout, and you’ll get through 540 calories in an hour, while an hour of SUP touring (paddling for a distance without stopping at moderate pace) will burn 708 calories.
Ready to make SUP your next summer hobby obsession? Check out DFW Surf, a DFW-based SUP rental company with locations all over the metroplex.
This was written for SMU CAPE Social Media by Angela Peterson.