SUP

[IZ]

Any Stand Up Paddlers on the board?  Anyone try it?  Looking at either getting one of these or kayak now that we're living on the water again.

[Stella]

Was signed up for a paddle board class late last summer but weather stopped the class from happening.  Can't wait to try it though!

Saw a woman a few years ago going down a class 3 river on a board - SO impressed!!!!    
Talk about core strength!

Let me know if you get a board or take a class.  Will be interested in your take on it.  

[eltristo]

I was paddling before I left Hawaii - It's good exercise, but I don't know that I'll continue out here, what with the lack of waves and all.   If you have *something* to add interest (a river could be just the thing), it's great!  And hard!

[red baron]

Any Stand Up Paddlers on the board?  Anyone try it?  Looking at either getting one of these or kayak now that we're living on the water again.

Where'd yopu move to now?

[rgramjet]

I have a Versa Board that I use for fishing on the potomac river and nearby reservoirs.  Love it! 

The versa board is both an sup and a Kayak which is great when you have a long distance to travel and the wind changes to a headwind.  The paddle I have converts from dual headed paddle to a t-handle in about 2 seconds.

There are a few manufacturers now that make dual purpose SUPs.......

[Grappa]

Depends on what body of water and the general conditions.  I did it for a few years on Maui, loved it.  Only tried surfing it once.  I would just go out in the morning when things were calm and cruise up and down the coast.  Good exercise and very relaxing.  Would go more frequently during whale season, sometimes going miles off shore.  I would often take a mask and snorkel and jump into the deep stuff to freak myself out.  I preferred the SUP board over a kayak as I have tight hamstrings, and sitting in the kayak with my legs in front of me would tend to hurt my lower back.  Plus, standing up tends to help you see a lot further along the horizon to spot whales or dolphins or whatever, and standing up allows you to look more directly down into the water to spot fish, coral, turtles, etc.  On a kayak you often only see a reflection off the waters surface.  I found the SUP board to be pretty worthless in the wind though.  Even a slight breeze will send you in one direction only, downwind.  Trying to fight that is an exercise in frustration. 

Another positive for the SUP is the balance and core strength you will develop.

As in regular surfing, there are many different shapes and sizes of board, greatly affecting the handling characteristics.  Some are big tanks that paddle really slow.  Some are little potato chips that are really squirrelly underneath.  Gotta find the right size for your weight and ability, although keep in mind you balance will improve pretty quickly.

SUPs would not be good for rapids.  Again, don't know what or where you intend to use it.

[IZ]

Thanks for info!

Baron.. I'm around Destin/Niceville/Ft Walton Beach, FL

Stella..I'll let you know.

R..That Versa sounds cool!

[triangleforge]

SUPing has been on my "must try" list for a while now, but moving away from water put that on hold. I've paddled rec boats in the mangrove swamps in Florida, though, and have to imagine stand-up would be a splendid way to poke around some of those endless, braided channels.

[OT_Ducati]

local race celebrity 2min into video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmI0mf1iGV0

[IZ]

He in a canoe?

[rgramjet]

http://www.nativeownersgroup.com/showthread.php?14066-VB-for-larger-paddler

[ducatiz]

Bent-over paddling is the new in thing.

Stand up paddling is so 90s.

[moto-zen]

Thanks for info!

Baron.. I'm around Destin/Niceville/Ft Walton Beach, FL

Stella..I'll let you know.

R..That Versa sounds cool!

Hey man, you moved into my home town! I'm out in the Santa Rosa Beach area. I'll p.m. you an excellent local SUP company.

[IZ]

Hey man, you moved into my home town! I'm out in the Santa Rosa Beach area. I'll p.m. you an excellent local SUP company.

I was just there today!

[Le Pirate]

always wanted to try it, but I fear I may be too top heavy 


They had a demo day out at the lake here a couple months ago...some seller came out with a bunch for people to try


Was going to go, but it ended up being misty and about 38 degrees....so I stayed home