A new development in paddling is the sport of  stand up paddleboarding, and stand up paddle surfing. SUP originated in the Hawaiian islands and it’s popularity has encircled the globe. There are SUP societies in Australia and England. Early this century, several famous Hawaiian surfers (Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama and Archie Kalepa) started using SUP as a way to train. SUP has its roots as a way to surf. But it has evolved. Today, there are SUP paddling races on the ocean, and paddlers are using the boards on flatwater for exercise as well.

You don’t need a wave to use a stand up paddleboard. With SUP, a paddler can enjoy lakes, rivers, inlets, or the open ocean. In surfing, it offers increased visibility because the surfer is at a greater height. The surfer can see upcoming waves better, and can see the features of the bottom better too.

SUP paddles have a grip and one blade like a canoe paddle. Beyond that, they are different because the paddler is standing over the board. Paddles for SUP need to be much longer than canoe paddles. And since the stroke is also different, blades are a different shape. SUP paddles have a much longer shaft than canoe paddles, and the blade is short and fat. The shaft is much longer. Materials are no different than one finds in canoe paddles. There is fiberglass, wood and carbon fiber.