For most people, one rental stand up paddle session is enough to fall in love. The great workout, the relaxing movement of the water, seeing nature up close and personal – the reasons go on. The sport has grown exponentially all over the midwest and beyond and there’s a good reason for it, the sport is simply awesome.
Renting is great while you figure out if you actually like the sport or not, once you convince yourself that this is something you really want to stick with, purchasing your own the next step. If you are on the fence, this article should help point out some great reasons to pull the trigger on that SUP purchase.
5. Relaxation
If you are not looking to race, you can definitely use your board as an awesome way to get some “me” time. Being out on the water, just you and your board, is a great way to unwind after a hectic day at the office. If you want to take this to another level, give SUP yoga a try. Many cities have SUP Yoga classes now and it’s growing fast. Just think about how amazing it would be practicing your various poses out in the water with the blue skies above you. Sometimes just paddling out and sitting on the board and taking five is enough to clear your head after a busy day. The best part is, whether you realize it or not, you probably gave yourself a little workout too.
4. Competition
If you are a competitive person, SUP races could be something to think about. Again, as the sport grows, these races are popping up all over. Most races will also have amateur categories where the course is only a few miles. If you really want to get serious, you can look into the WPA (World Paddle Association) race circuit and start doing local races and make your way into the longer distance competitions. The workout is amazing – combining muscle training and cardio – and you can’t beat the sightseeing factor either. (way cooler than running a few miles on the treadmill..)
3. Quality Family Time
The family that paddles together, stays together. Sunset paddles with the fam is a great time to catch up without any technological distractions. Leave the cell phones as home and hit the water together. Several companies make “buddy pads”, a deck pad for the nose of the board so a small child, or dog, can ride along with you. For those of you that have 4-legged kids, get your pup a doggy life vest and give tandem paddling a try. If your family has a lake house or vacation spot, buy a couple boards to leave by the water and watch as relatives – old and young – enjoy this awesome sport.
2. Explore Nature – Up Close And Personal
Since paddle boards are much smaller than boats, you can navigate into places otherwise unaccessible. Marshy areas, lagoons, you name it – you can probably get to it on your board. Vacation to exotic lands where the water is clear blue and you can paddle over coral reefs and watch schools of fish swim by without disturbing their natural habitat. * Fun side note – if you live in the Chicagoland area, at Dempster St. Beach in Evanston there is an old shipwreck just off the shore. You can paddle out, right over it, and see straight down to the old boat.
1. Exercise
The best thing about stand up paddle boarding is, you are getting a workout without even realizing it. You can paddle as hard as you can and really feel it or you can paddle casually and you are still working on your balance and core strength. Having good scenery always helps a good workout, when there are beautiful things to look at, your workout goes faster and seems much less boring. What better scenery than some lovely blue waters and a city or beach landscape in the background? Balance training, upper body strength, and most of all – core strength is what you will gain from paddle boarding. All while having a great time!