Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Whether you know the sport as Paddleboarding, Paddlesurfing or Stand-up-paddlesurfing (SUP), it is set to become one of the fastest growing watersports about and is the perfect compliment to wind based sports. So for summertime fitness and fun it fits in perfectly for kite and windsurfers. However it isn't a sport reserved for hardened watersports fanatics as it is very easy, uncomplicated and accessible for anyone irrespective of their sporting background, age or sex.
The Background
Paddleboarding is an ancient form of surfing. It can be traced back to the very early days of Polynesia. It's most recent history dates back to the 1940's when the surf instructors on Waikiki beach used to stand up and paddle out to the break using a one bladed paddle. The reasons for this were 2 fold. First it allowed them to have a better visibility over their group of surfing students and allowed them to call the waves easier as their upright position meant that they could see the swell long before the prone surfers. Secondly it allowed them to keep their wealthy customers cameras dry and allow them to take pictures of them surfing. As time moved on board designs and fashions changed, the paddle was all but lost in the history of surfing.
Fast forward to the first part of this century and the paddle made a return to surfing in the hands of some of the world's most famous watermen. They were re-discovering stand up paddle surfing to allow them to keep in shape for the bigger days of tow surfing as well as adding a new dimension to their skills. Standing up and paddling out through the waves is a totally new experience, most of us are more used to lying down and ducking under the waves.
Paddleboarding (SUP) isn't restricted to riding waves and for many it's a great summer fitness tool as it provides a great all over workout helping develop core body stability, balance and cardiovascular fitness. As well as being great fun it gets you out in the elements rather than the gym.
Buy Paddleboarding Equipment - click here
Paddleboard Rental? Give us a call at the shop
SUP with Edge
The Beautiful exe Estuary makes a fantastic training ground with beutifull flat water opportunities in the duck pond and estuary enabling trips up and across the rive for stops at lympstone or Cockwood for a drink. Because you are quiet and unthreatening you can get really get close to the wildlife and really feel at one with the environment.
The seafront offers a different challenge with fast running currents in the channel and small to medium waves over the bar and at Sandy Bay to get into the surfing side of the sport.
Friday Night SUP Sessions
The easiest way in is to join the Friday night paddle board sessions. These take place wherever the conditions are best so if there are some waves around we will try to catch some. If its flat water we will organise a trip up the river or along the coast. Run by Our experienced watersports instructors you can be sure of a great time. If you have your own paddle board then join in for free. If you need to rent a board these cost £20 per board reserved for you.
Sessions start at 6pm and we normally meet at the shop if you need to rent a board please phone and reserve. If its super windy check the website to see if the session is going to be run. These have started and are fully up and running, get in touch for more details and to reserve a space!
Paddleboard Rental
If you cant make a Friday night why not rent a paddleboard and get going on you own. You can either use them on the duckpond opposite the shop at high tide which is recommended for your first time or take them further afield. The cost is £30 per board for a 3 hour rental and wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets are all included free of charge if required.
Paddleboard Sales
On our hire / demo fleet we have loads of different boards for you to try before you buy. You can then make an informed decision on what is the best board for you. This will depend on many factors such as your weight, if you are going to surf it or do more flat water cruising and whether you wish to windsurf it.
If you choose to buy following renting a board we will refund your rental fee. The shop stocks a range of paddles, boards, leashes and bags in fact all you need to get out there.
