Easy to learn, affordable, and a great workout for any age— Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is a fast-growing segment of summertime entertainment in the United States.
Though it rose to popularity in the 1990’s as an alternative to surfing with no swell, SUP has been around for centuries. The practice originated in 16th century Hawaii, where paddles were necessary for surfers to use their boards which were up to five meters in length.
This particular technique would continue to Tel Aviv in the 20th century, where lifeguards made it a practice to stand on boards so that they could have a clearer view of swimmers and use their paddles to propel themselves faster towards any swimmer in distress.
While no longer used for practical matters, SUPs have become a major segment of the watersport sector. Within the last decade alone, multiple SUP companies have formed across Cape Cod, offering more than just the opportunity to simply stand/balance on the board and paddle.
There are now SUP yoga classes, group sightseeing tours, Go-Pro equipped boards, and even “glow in the dark” SUP. Needless to say, standup paddle boarding is a fast booming business and it shows no signs of slowing down.
The sport gives people a unique way to connect with each other. You can do SUP in large or small groups and make new friends. If two people are new to the activity –they can help and support each other through their first few times out on the water.
Or if they are both highly experienced they can bond over their shared passion for the sport. Or if one is learning and the other is a seasoned professional one can teach the other. Either way, the point is that a key reason for the rapid success of SUP is its ability to get people to meet each other, and, unlike impersonal social media, get them to connect face to face, in this case: unplugged.
A second reason for the rapidly growing success of SUP is the fact that it has cross generational appeal. SUP is for anyone. And I do mean everyone. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, or bring anyone you please and you can all have a great time. I’ve even seen a few dogs out on the water.
Cape Cod in the summer is an incredibly diverse atmosphere in terms of ages. With scores of retirees who have moved to the Cape all the way down to the young kids just down for the summer, SUP is an incredibly accessible activity for all. SUP is also a great workout. It works your core and focuses on strengthening, while also increasing cardiovascular endurance and overall balance. Since fitness oriented business are certainly on the rise, and Americans are perhaps more health conscious than ever, SUP has become a highly popular activity.
What has also added to the popularity and growth of SUP companies is the range of activities one can do with a board. SUP companies across the Cape, including Stand Up & Paddle Cape Cod, SUPfari Cape Cod, and Adventure Chatham offer a wide variety of events to cater to anyone’s interests.
If you’re not looking for as much of a physical challenge, then the SUP yoga might be best for you. The floating board serves as your yoga mat and you can work on your posture and breathing all the while soaking in the natural beauty and fresh air of Cape Cod.
For those who love nature, like myself, the glow in the dark option can be loads of fun. The lighted boards illuminate the water and below your board you can enjoy a summer’s full moon and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the wildlife just below the surface.
If paddleboarding at night doesn’t suit your fancy, you can also try it in the light of day and take nature tours of the bays, freshwater rivers, and lakes of Cape Cod.
What also makes SUP a booming business is that some people find that SUP can be done all year round as long as the water has not frozen over. While the sport thrives in the warm summer months, many northern companies receive considerable business in the winter months.
Just grab a wetsuit and some proper cold gear and even in the middle of January you can enjoy the many benefits of SUP. Year-round accessibility has contributed to the sport’s current success.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding, one of the fastest growing fitness trends in the country, is truly great fun for anyone involved. So whether you’re a full time resident or just down for the weekend, be sure you check out the many thriving SUP businesses located throughout Cape Cod—believe it or not there’s one, or at least a SUP surf shop, in almost every town. So stop reading and get paddling!
Christian Papadellis is one of CCB’s summer interns for 2016. He grew-up spending his summers on Cape Cod and is currently entering his junior year at Colby College in Waterville, Maine where he studies English Literature and Art History.
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