SUP...
Hawaii's Second Gift to the World!

SUP, like surfing is another of Hawaii's gifts to the world!

The more common term for what seems to be one of the fastest growing sports in Hawaii and other parts of the nation, standup paddling is an example of evolution in every sense.

Most of us who’ve spent years surfing will remember occasional “old-timer” that would paddle out to the break while standing using what seemed to be an extended outrigger canoe paddle. No one paid much attention as the guy seemed more eccentric and the idea of surfing in that manner seemed more of a handicap than anything else. That was far less than a decade ago.

Today, standup paddling, is the method of choice for many longtime surfers and first-time entrants to what’s evolved into a sport all its own. It's become an awe-inspiring way to surf, an intensely growing paddle sport, and the latest way to do whitewater rapids. No question, SUP is here to stay – and it all started in Hawaii!

The equipment is simple, a board and a paddle. It used to be that outrigger paddles and old oversized surfboards, like those used for tandem surfing, were the standard. However, like every growing sport, the SUP explosion in popularity has brought about massive refinements in the equipment resulting in SUP equipment to match every venue of the growing industry.

Today’s standup paddle boards offer the spectrum from traditionally manufactured foam/glassed boards to those constructed of carbon and epoxy for increased lightness and strength. Designs range from shorter-length slice and dice machines to the long and narrow machines suited for distance paddling and flat out racing. Quickly emerging are also a wave of inflatable "boards" that were developed for the stone-strewn obstacle courses characterized by river rapids, the latest challenge for Hawaii’s standup paddling counterparts from inland locations on the mainland and elsewhere.

Although the standup paddling craze apparently began with aging surfers finding a new way to enjoy the surf while strengthening their weakening core muscles, the sport has drawn a plethora of newcomers many of whom never surfed in their lives. Perhaps it could be the very fact of standing up while paddling is a feat in itself and gratifying to master regardless of whether or not one ever gets out into the waves.

For a generation of baby boomers now facing back pains, weakening limbs, time on their hands, and looking for new yet viable challenges, standup paddling appears to be one heck an answer as is evidenced by a ghostly crowd of stand-up paddlers silently gliding back and forth in the Ala Moana Lagoon before sunrise on any morning. The large bunch of converts that seem to be increasingly present at any suitable beach are a big testimony to the joy that standup paddling brings.

On the other side of the SUP spectrum are the extremists, the surfing enthusiasts who’ve found the beauty of SUP on the waves bringing back the smooth styles of the sixties and seventies surfing when the original longboards were every bit as heavy as they were long. Drawn out turns, fluid cutbacks, and the ability to catch a wave well before it peaks have brought back a style of surfing that is both reminiscent of a bygone era while new unto itself!

What’s also noticeable in the standup paddling crowd is the camaraderie that seems to be pervasive in this new crowd – especially in the surf where its not uncommon to sense the tension caused by inflated egos and a disproportionate ratio of surfers to waves. Perhaps it’s the predominantly older crowd that dominates the sport for now, a crowd that’s seen the greater part of life and experienced life’s priorities.

To say you should try SUP is an understatement as it is a threshold to a host of activities leading toward working the waves… exploring the coastline… crossing channels… shooting whitewater rapids… or simply working your core and leg muscles before you start your day. And all it takes is a board and paddle!

To get out on the water, there are a lot of "vendors" to choose from - our recommendation is Endless Adventures Hawaii due to their intimate size, personalized service combined with a knowledge that comes from having been born and raised in Hawaii. This is a group you'll want to have introduce you to Hawaii's ocean activities like SUP, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and kayaking tours!

Complete the form below (that's how we know you're a real person) and you'll go directly to the information and reservations site for Endless Adventures Hawaii!