This new craze has hit NE in full force...Every beach trip this summer I have seen these crazy adventurers out in the water...they certainly grabbed my attention as they appear to be walking on water...although a new craze, the sport has been around for quite some time...
Stand up paddle surfing (SUP), or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he'e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. The sport is an ancient form of surfing, and reemerged as a way for surfing instructors to manage their large groups of students, as standing on the board gave them a higher viewpoint. This increased visibility of what was going on around them such as incoming swell.
The popularity of the modern sport of SUP has its origin in the Hawaiian Islands. In the early 1960s, the Beach Boys of Waikiki would stand on their long boards, and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. This is where the term "Beach Boy Surfing", another name for Stand Up Paddle Surfing originates.
It is actually the fastest growing water sport currently, and you can find rentals at any local kayak, or surf shop. I did some quick research in our local area and I found rentals from Nantasket Beach to the Charles River...My pick for my bucket list adventure is in York Maine; check out this awesome shop; Liquid Dreams!
