Every once in a blue moon a new idea gets developed that changes the way we think and play the sports we’re interested in. First it was Atari, the video game system that started it all. With their Asteroid video game, they changed the way kids would “play” for eternity. From there we not only got PlayStation and XBox, but we continued to advance to the interactive and futuristic gaming system of Nintendo Wii. Not only have we been advancing in technology, but also in the physical games we play. The best example of this is the latest craze in the sport of surfing; Standup Paddleboards!
Surfing is a sport that was developed in Hawaii hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Their boards were originally made out of local tress, like the Koa tree. They were longer in shape, resembling today’s longboard, and were extremely heavy, usually weighing up to 150 pounds. The dynamic of the board is still very similar today, except for the weight part, we have revolutionized the making of the board to be made out of polyurethane or polystyrene, which is much lighter. From the original longboard, come many adaptations that are often imitated, but never duplicated.
After the sport of surfing made its way across the ocean from Hawaii to the shores of California, the surfboard was revolutionized again. In the 1960’s the shortboard was invented. As its name suggests, it’s conversely shorter than the longboard, and is great for doing tricks, and getting a faster ride. But with the advent of the shortboard, its longboard predecessor nearly went extinct. After a couple years though, the longboard made a strong surge back into the world of surfing, and has been the go-to board for a lot of surfers ever since.
The newest addition to the family of those two classic surfboards, are Standup Paddleboards. This adaptation to the sport is much more versatile than any other surfboard. What’s great about this type of surfing is that it isn’t limited to the ocean. You can use a Standup Paddleboard on flatwater, including lakes, rivers, or anywhere there’s water. The surfboard is similar to the standard board, and comes with one paddle. The paddle makes it easier to get up on the board, and balance while you’re up there. Standup Paddleboarding, also called SUP, can also be a great activity to try out with the entire family, because it isn’t as physically demanding as other types of surfing.
Much like the always adapting world of video games and technology, the world of surfing is constantly coming up with new ways to bring people into the water, and to offer people options when it comes to trying the sport. SUP is a great new way to bring the whole family together, and try something new. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked, and you’ll never want to see the water from anywhere but above it, on a Standup Paddleboard!
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