Stand Up Paddle: the rage in Hawaii
A barrage of factoids. Did you know:
Stand up paddle surfing offers surfers the ability to catch more waves in a set, as well as offering a better view of incoming sets.
Stand up paddle surfing, or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he’e nalu, originated in Hawaii.
According to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2013 report, stand up paddling was listed as the most popular outdoor activity among first-time participants beating boardsailing and windsurfing.
In 2007, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, the first stand up paddle board race was held. In a seven-mile race, 34 male and female competitors competed. This was the beginning of the Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival.
The proper form for paddle surfing requires a paddle of the correct length and size. A common rule of thumb is a “shaka” length, or 5 to 7 inches, above the rider’s height.
Some handy links:
Kauai:
http://www.hawaiiansurfingadventures.com/paddleboarding.html
http://www.hawaiianschoolofsurfing.com/school.html
Oahu North Shore:
http://www.surfnsea.com/stand-up-paddle.html
http://www.rainbowwatersports.com
For places to SUP download the new No Worries Hawaii guide for all the Hawaiian Islands.
I love watching the SUP enthusiasts out on the water in Hawaii, mostly in Kauai. It looks like it would be such a wonderful view of the ocean from one of those boards!