Surfing is said to have first begun in Africa centuries ago, and it is believed to have been practiced by both the Mayans and American Indians as well. These days, you can still do it in the form of stand up paddle boarding.
These cultures utilized a less advanced paddle board than the one we use nowadays. Generally, it is assumed that our primitive ancestors did not have access to carbon fiber or plastic.
WHAT IS SUP? (A BRIEF HISTORY)
It appears that our predecessors discovered the sport before us, even though it was officially documented in 2013. This isn’t an isolated occurrence; similar events have happened with other “modern discoveries” as well.
It looks like it was in 1939 when SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) came to be a genuine sport, credited to famous surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, who is known for customizing his board. He urged his wounded buddy, Bobby AhChoy, who both took pictures and went surfing, to join in.
Seated in a chair on the Stand-Up Paddle board, Bobby was able to be nearer to the activity so he could take pictures and give advice to the other surfers. The paddle board has a long history of use, extending over thousands of years in many different areas of the world.
However, its contemporary shape and form may have stemmed from Hawaii in the turn of the 20th Century. However, use of the term is documented going back as far as 1000 BCE.
The paddle board trend first began in Hawaii and then gained its trendy reputation in California. The development of Stand Up Paddle Boarding’s fame encouraged worldwide availability, given it was typically a surfing art that came back in the 1960s when Duke encouraged Bobby to test it out.
Following that, other shutterbugs adopted the same strategy to stay nearby the surfers when out riding the waves. John Zapotocky, who moved to Hawaii in 1940, debuted as a stand up paddler when he became infatuated with the sport.
He rowed with a paddle every day until his demise in 2013 when he was 95 years old, and is viewed as the pioneer of Stand Up Paddleboarding.
Gradually, people began to experiment and find new ways to enjoy stand up paddle boarding, which led to a variety of activities like racing, exploring, using the river, using the ocean, yoga, fishing, and even more.
We will discuss some of these in this article. Surfers identified that paddling could be used to locate areas with good waves and surf, and even to stay on the water if the waves were not ideal.
2009 was a hugely successful year for SUP, seeing lots of progress in the activity. Business boomed to create new, lighter, and better-looking boards.
SO WHO ADAPTED PADDLE BOARDING?
We talked about the background of stand up paddle boarding, but people can be selective! SUPing (or stand-up paddleboarding) can be traced back to the Waikiki beach boys of Oahu in the 1960s, stemming from outrigger canoeing and leading to the popular and user-friendly version of a surfboard.
For people native to tribes, ancient customs, and beaches employing the use of cocktails in Marbella, Spain, paddle boarding is a customary activity – they have by now been standing up, resting while seated, and even doing a jig on the paddle boards, an implement that has been an essential part of their lives for a long time.
It’s not only a superb way to unwind, it’s also a means of transportation!
WHAT TYPES OF STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING STYLES THERE? AND WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
With SUP, the ocean is your oyster. With stand up paddle boarding, the options are endless, not just a sport like surfing, the paddle board can be used in a variety of ways, as both a sport and a tool, which perhaps explains why it’s the fastest growing watersport in the world, It’s incredibly versatile, and fun.
Starting out, having fun with flat water paddling outdoors would be a great way to go. Kayaking is an amazing opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the lake and it is the closest sensation to strolling on the water.
Surfing with a stand up paddle board is great exercise and requires balance and agility, but can also be used to take in stunning beach and ocean views, sail down wide rivers, and cruise along canal pathways.
As you continue down the path, you might decide to engage in action-packed SUP activities such as competing in lake races, navigating river rapids, fishing, and even doing yoga on a paddleboard!
WHAT’S SUP? TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL OR TOO SCHOOL FOR COOL?
So who’s Paddleboarding? At a British meeting with Jason, an old skateboarder and stand up paddle boarder, he expressed that “Those who doubt SUP are silly, what difference does it make what sort of vessel you ride?”
Whether it is a kiteboard, windsurf board, canoe, or waveski – or, indeed, a surfboard – any activity that encourages people to get into the water is beneficial. Plus, Stand Up Paddleboarding is a great way to be introduced to all of these water sports.
Surfing fanatics believe that paddle boards are almost as awesome as paying attention to birds; nevertheless, that sort of thing is sufficient for some celebrities. You might not be as well-known as Jennifer Aniston or Pierce Brosnan when it comes to stand up paddleboarding, but you can still enjoy it!
If you’re feeling particularly bold, you can channel Orlando Bloom and strip down for the cameras. Remember to refer to a stand-up paddleboard by its nickname “SUP” when you are in the water with the experienced people.
REASONS TO TRY PADDLE BOARDING
The book by Wallace J., ‘Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do’ suggests that water enhances our wellbeing. Nichols, the impact that being on the water has on our minds and bodies is astonishing.
Engaging in water activities has a calming effect and reduces tension, while the use of paddles helps build muscle strength, mimicking the benefits of a workout.
Stand up paddle boarding is ideal for those who have been drawn to surfing and wish to explore new waters. You don’t need any expertise to do it–no hard studying, mental anguish, or suffering–and it’s a great way to enjoy either surfing or competitive racing if that’s your preference.
Do not worry, this hobby can be whatever you want it to be, and you can customize it however you like. Stand up paddle boarding is a great addition to activities like canoeing, surfing, racing, and white water rafting.
You can also transport yourself back in time while out at sea–from being an indigenous tribesman to a surfer in the 1960s or the actor, Orlando Bloom.
Inflatable Paddle Boards vs Solid Paddle Boards
Before the widespread adoption of inflatable stand up paddle boards, those interested in the sport had to shop around for a solid model. These boards are manufactured following the same method as the production of surfboards.
The foundation of a quality paddle board is formed using a piece of EPS foam that is cut and sculpted down to a predetermined size and shape. This foam “blank” then gets sanded further into the shape of a stand up paddle board.
The board is then strengthened with resin and fiberglass. After the resin is completely dry, the plank is once again smoothed down to conclude the project. By and large, the assembly of boards was generally done through this method, although some employed, and still do, a technique that combines plastic together.
Sturdy boards are ideal due to their dependability and firmness, particularly when you put money into a top-notch board. Boards that are stiff and unbending take up a lot of space for storage and require extra effort to be moved around.
In the beginning, inflatable SUPs were more toy-like rather than being seen as a serious instrument of leisure. As the advancements in technology grew, the highest quality inflatable stand-up paddle boards achieved almost the same solidity as regular boards.
Regrettably, many of the inexpensive boards available on the market currently have the “squishy” sensation of the original inflatable paddle boards.
How did Inflatable Paddle Board Technology improve?
Most people assume that the primary material used in an inflatable stand up paddle board is just air as it loses its shape when completely deflated. Nothing could actually be further from the truth.
Drop Stitch makes up the Core
The internal structure of the inflatable SUP board is reinforced with thousands of slim fibers called “drop stitch.” The PVC that creates the exterior of the inflatable stand up paddle board is composed of upper and lower layers which are connected through a series of strands.
This helps the board to maintain a greater PSI for air pressure. This makes for much more rigid boards.
Inflatable SUPs were initially produced using a “knitted drop stitch,” meaning the slim threads joining the upper and lower portion of the inflatable SUP board were arranged in a perpendicular orientation. This arrangement was not particularly robust and inflating SUPs repeatedly would lead to areas of fragility.
Put “woven drop stitch” in the inflatable SUPs, as this will provide a more secure center. The peculiarity with woven drop stitch is that there is a smaller amount of air present in between the drop stitch material, causing the board to be more rigid.
The thousands of thin strands that attach the top of the board to the bottom are woven together in a criss-cross pattern, making them much more robust than if they all ran in the same direction.
The Outer Shell of the Inflatable SUP
Most inflatable stand up paddle boards consist of multiple layers of PVC, the important part is determining how many and how they are bonded together. Budget boards typically utilize either a single level or two levels of PVC, making them not very rigid or resistant to penetration.
Those with larger bodies tend to be aware of the distinctions between the multiple layers of PVC.
Boards fashioned with inflatable parts typically have more than one PVC layer, with each one glued on top of the other. Even if the SUP boards of your brand are made with quality materials on the outside, gluing many layers of PVC to each other can make the board heavier, and there can be unsightly bubbles as a result of the adhesive.
The latest way of linking the different layers of PVC is called “Fusion Tech”, where each layer is essentially joined to the one following it. This technique of fusing multiple PVC layers together creates a remarkably resilient outer layer for your inflatable paddle board and also results in an SUP that is 30% lighter than if glued layers were used instead.
You are unlikely to need to do repairs to your SUP with a fusion board design.
Rails Can Be The Weak Link
The edges of your blow-up stand up paddle board are referred to as “rails.” The top and bottom pieces of the board join together at the rails, as they are made from two distinct pieces of material.
Boards of lower quality usually opt for PVC that comes in 29 inch pieces as it is cheaper, which leads to a large space in between the ladder rungs. This implies that it is essential to paste a broad portion of PVC to seal off the space, implying your inflatable stand up paddle board presently has two edges along the sides.
This further implies that you have two potential places of destruction along the edges of the board.
A board that can hold a considerable amount of weight and can support a high pressure will use wider pieces of PVC for the top and bottom. This way, the parts fit together creating one connection and reducing the chance of something going wrong.
Then, they will stick the two layers together and include another level of PVC which is blended rather than attached so that the rail is extremely powerful in its durability.
The Easiest Way to Tell if You Are Investing in a Quality Board
There is no easy way to tell how reliable an inflatable paddle board is just by looking at it, so it is advised that you examine the PSI rating of the SUP in order to determine the standard of quality.
Pounds per square inch can give you an indication of how much confidence the maker has in the quality of their inflatable stand up paddle boar A lot of companies that market to large stores and e-commerce shops may alter the technical details of their tools, yet they can’t manipulate PSI since that could be hazardous for the people using it.
A lower recommendation of 12-15 PSI implies that the producer is not sure if their inflatable SUP will remain intact if too much air pressure is inserted into the board.
Perhaps, they chose the knitted drop stitch for the center or failed to bolster the edges. Our suggestion is for you not to buy an inflatable stand up paddle board unless it has a weight rating of 22-25 pounds.
