Combating high winds or strong tides can be difficult, and it’s easy to find oneself in a dangerous situation if not prepared. We offer our thoughts and the insight of local SUP guru Rob Casey, owner of Salmon Bay Paddle, to help give both aspiring and seasoned SUPers information on SUP culture, boards, accessories, rentals, uses, and more to help get you one stroke closer to a super SUP summer.
Boards 101: The Basics
their own community with numerous clubs, groups, and social events. SUPs are a boatload of fun, but it’s important to be safe and responsible before paddling out. They are still watercraft and it's crucial to be familiar with the basic rules of the road and boating courtesy. Also, the performance limitations of paddleboards and physical fatigue of users are elements to be taken seriously.
Two basic, popular SUP families exist: inflatable and hard boards. Before you float one way or the other, take a moment to identify your lifestyle. Knowing your lifestyle is key to picking the board that’s right for you. Are you a liveaboard with limited space? Do you find yourself without a car? Are you drawn to raging rivers? Then an inflatable may be your calling. Their lightweight design and deflation capabilities make them easily transferrable and storable, especially in Seattle where condo-dwellers, houseboat owners, and other small spaces are more common. They’re also better alternatives for whitewater paddling and for yoga due to their softer nature. For most general purposes, they’re a great option for recreational day use. However, according to Casey, “If you’re looking to advance in the paddling sport or want to rip it up like Kelly Slater with full-on surfing techniques, the highperforming hard boards are the way to go.” Hard boards generally offer more versatility and additional opportunities where inflatables falter. “Hard board” is a broad term used to describe every board except inflatables. These include epoxy, carbon fiber, plastic (rotomolded), hybrid, and wood. Their rigid nature is great for long distance paddling because even with constant improvements to infl atables’ rigidity, they will always have that minor flex. With hard boards, more rigidity means less drag, more speed, and greater agility with less effort. Because hard boards are also available in a larger variety of sizes and finely-tuned shapes, it’s easier to find one that fits you just right. But to find your perfect board, it’s important to identify your desired uses. Touring-, racing-, fishing-, yoga-, fitness-, and river-specific SUPs are the most common SUP makes; each activity requires slightly different characteristics for the ultimate efficiency. Only after you settle on a SUP lifestyle can you then drill down the details of your perfect board. Hull type, volume, weight, length, and width come into play when choosing your ideal option.
HISTORY OF THE
SUP Stand up paddling seems like a new fad, but humans have in fact been standing on water-ridden vessels for centuries. Pottery shards from 3,000 years ago depict fishermen of ancient Peruvian civilizations standing and surfing the waves on their reed boats (Caballitos de Totora) to shore after a fishing trip. Many additional SUP cousins followed close behind. But in the recreational sense, the pioneers of paddling for leisure and sport are believed to be the Hawaiians. One glorious day in the ‘60s, a surfer grabbed an outrigger paddle and used it to propel his long board out to the distant wave break. The earliest photographic evidence shows “the father of surfing” Duke Kahanamoku demonstrating this new paddle style. Two other surfers, John “Zap” Zapotocky and John “Pops” Ah Choy, are believed to be pioneers alongside Duke. Behold, and by accident it seems, this new and exciting water sport was born. From Hawaii, California, and Florida, to Australia, the UK, France, and eventually the world, stand up paddling spread across the globe.
Most boards feature either planing or displacement hulls. To be more precise, bow is the correct term because every paddleboard has a flat hull – it’s the bow that changes from board to board. Planing bows are flat, wide, and resemble that of a surfboard’s. They’re perfect for leisure paddling, yoga, and beginners; as well as taking on whitewater rapids. Displacement hulls have a pointed bow that’s ideal for fitness, racing, and touring.
Below: Seattle alone offers over 36 launch sites for you to explore. From the Ballard Locks to Alki Beach, we challenge you to discover them all.
JUNE 2018 || NORTHWEST YACHTING
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