SUP &Surfing.

Weekend of January 15 2011.

SUP = Stand Up Paddling
Surfing = one of the most peaceful, realization moments.

I recently tried two new water activities and must say, I'm extremely satisfied with both.

Stand Up Paddling (SUP)- 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. 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, increasing visibility of what was going on around them. Today, the sport benefits athletes with a strong 'core' workout. SUP'ing is popular at warm coastal climates and resorts, and is gaining in popularity as celebrities are sampling the sport, and cross-over athletes are training with SUP.

My experience: At Liquid Force, two of our boats are docked at the Carlsbad Lagoon Wakesports. Since I work for Liquid Force now, I get all of my rentals for free (SUP, Kayak, Jet ski, etc.) - SOOOOOOO...I decided to try Stand Up Paddling. I had a short board (which is harder to stabalize yourself) & I decided to paddle from the Wakesport cove to Bristol Cove (which is my backyard) and totals to probably about a mile or so, if not a little more? I paddled to my dock, chatted with my roomie for a little while and then paddled my way back to Wakesports. It was very relaxing. Gave my shoulders and core a workout, so I didn't fall in the water, but it was just me. my paddle. the board. and the sunset :)

Surfing: a surface water sport in which a person (the surfer) rides a board on the crest of the wave as it carries the surfer towards the shore.

My experience: I went down to Mission Beach with Peanut, Jake, Mario & some other dude. They taught me how to surf. Wet suits, surf boards and decent waves - it was so relaxing yet tiring at the same time. You realize the world is so much bigger than what we see everyday, when you're out in the water plopped up on your surfboard, feet dangling waiting to catch the next wave. I got up a handful of times. It is a really hard technique to get down and you just have to "feel the wave."


"Everyone has a 'risk muscle.' You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don't, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at lesat once a day." - Roger Von Oech