Reasons to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding…

I first tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding (or SUP) in Wales a few years ago. It was a surfing trip but that weekend there was one problem… the ocean was completely flat!

I was a bit grumpy that I couldn’t do my favourite sport, but I gave SUP a go and absolutely loved it.

Here are my top five reasons to try stand up paddle boarding!

1. SUP is peaceful

Stand up paddle boarding is the most peaceful of all water sports. Once you have your balance you are able to mosey along at your own pace, checking out the scenery around you. There’s nothing competitive about this sport – it’s time to chill.

2. SUP is accessible

You can SUP in so many places! I first tried it in a calm bay in Wales and paddled around the stunning coastline for a couple of hours. Any calm bay is perfect, as are lakes and slow sections of river or canal.

There are endless places offering this activity around the UK, USA and overseas, and it’s often offered as an optional activity on holidays.

These photos (of me) were taken on a river in Sri Lanka.

3. SUP is social

As it’s quite easy to get the hang of SUP, after a few minutes you’ll be able to stop thinking about balance and start looking around at the scenery, or strike up a conversation with your fellow SUPers!

4. SUP is good for your core

Although it’s not as energetic and adrenaline-fuelled as other water sports, paddle boarding is really great for toning up your body!

Even once you feel you have your balance, your core will be hard at work keeping you upright as you paddle. Hello toned stomach!

Your arms and shoulders get a work out too and, for the more adventurous amongst you, there’s always SUP Yoga!

5. SUP is not as hard as you think!

You don’t need to be a great swimmer because, unless you have really terrible balance, it’s actually quite unlikely that you’ll be ending up in the water (although if you can’t swim at all, just grab a life jacket, yeah?).

SUP boards are huge and super buoyant, so you’ll catch your balance after just a few minutes and feel really stable. I’ve SUPed with quite a few groups of beginners and I’ve yet to meet someone that hasn’t managed it within ten minutes.

Enough reasons to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding?

So there you have it – five reasons to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding. What are you waiting for?

You can try Stand Up Paddle Boarding pretty much anywhere – whether it’s close to home or as an additional activity on your next holiday. Check out these SUP tours on Viator (which is part of TripAdvisor ®).
I’ll be honest – this article contains affiliate links, which means I will get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to buy. Integrity is really important to me, so I only recommend products that I really love! Of course, do your own research and if you have any questions or need some advice, please feel free to get in touch – I’d be happy to help!

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