What ‘sup’?

The stand-up paddleboard (SUP) can be used as the name describes. That is, the rider stands up on the board and paddles using a “long oar” to propel the board through the water. This new craft caused very few ripples when used in calm waters, but when SUP riders started to join the line-up for waves that the controversy started and the agro started between the SUP riders and surfers on tradition surfboards and body-boards. Unfortunately an out of control SUP rider can pose a serious danger to those surfing close by and angry paddlers have been known to use their craft as a weapon to get their way in the water. SUP riders need to be particularly careful with surf etiquette to gain the respect of the other surfers.

SUP surfing is a sport in the making and as it is still developing it is difficult to find experts or authorities on the sport even though some seasoned riders claim to know it all. With the increasing numbers of SUPs coming on the market, other SUP business are springing up both in shops and on-line. SUP accessories have now hit the market, although are sometimes difficult to find, especially good quality items. One of the most popular sellers of quality SUP accessories in Australia can be found at boardcovers.com.au. where leashes and covers are available on line.

Surfboard and body-board surfers often have preconceived ideas about what is involved in the SUP itself as well as the riding of the craft. A SUP is not an oversized long board. Soft rounded rails and rolled bottoms found in mal designs do not work for a SUP due to the increase in drag making the board slow to respond to the moves of the rider.

The SUP does not gain it’s stability from width as believed by misinformed surfers. In fact the board stability is achieved through a combination of design factors including rail shape and volume, the shape of the bottom contour and appropriate rocker. It should also be obvious that a wide board would require a wider stroke for the rider which weakens the power of each stroke. Also excessive width in the centre of the board results in a sharp reduction in width to the point and tail. This in turn causes a sharp side swing action in the tail and point making the board difficult to handle. A well designed and shaped narrower SUP will paddle straighter and perform with less effort from the rider.

A good SUP has it’s own design which combines working features of other surf craft with the proportions required to make this board work for the stand-up paddler as well as perform on both flat water and waves.

The other important piece of equipment essential to the riding of a SUP is the paddle. As a general rule of thumb the correct paddle is that the paddle should be 15cm over your head, however this will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the board and the shape of the blade on the paddle.

The best way to find the right SUP design for you is to borrow and try before you buy. Once you have acquired your board, paddle, SUP leg rope and stand up paddle board cover it is time to hit the water. The worst thing to do is start in the line-up when you can’t even balance and paddle the board. Learning to balance means in flat water in the first instance. Once you’ve mastered the calm water it’s time to head for some chop. When you’ve got it together you should then start working on turning the board in different directions. Only after you have achieved these goals should you approach the surf, preferably a break with few other surfers. Open beach breaks are not a good idea. SUP riding is more suited to point breaks or reef breaks, but again it’s surf etiquette as well as performance that will win over the other surfers. Finally make sure you are having fun. 

After all that’s what it’s all about!