Experience the Waves with Stand-Up Paddling
Posted by Bob Weber on Sep 26th, 2011 in Fitness | 1 comment
Riding the waves off the coast of Oahu is not just for surfers. Stand-up paddling is becoming a well loved alternative to surfing for tourists looking for an adventure. Known as stand-up paddling, SUP, paddle surfing, and stand up paddle boarding, this newer water sport is a great way to catch the waves and have a good time on vacation.
Dr. Mark Weiser, a Los Angeles dentist and SUP enthusiast explained SUP to me and it sounds sublimely simple. “It’s a form of surfing where you’re standing up, but you’re using a paddle the whole time.”
This new surfing technique creates an adventure like no other, and is becoming a new favorite sport among those looking for ocean fun and excitement.
Why Stand-Up Paddling?
Stand-up paddling is much more than just standing on an over-sized surfboard and paddling it like a canoe. “SUPing” is a wonderful way to get a complete workout on the body while enjoying the view of your island resort or coastal surroundings.
“With surfing you sit down, you stand up and ride a wave, but with SUP, you’re working your core the whole time because you’re balancing and paddling the whole time, so it’s more of a workout,” Dr. Weiser says.
Paddling while standing straight up works out the arms and full torso of the body, as these SUPers paddle to push their full body weight across the water, oftentimes work against the current. After a morning of stand-up paddling, don’t be surprised if you feel exhausted and sore, especially if you’ve never tried the sport before.
SUP enthusiasts also enjoy stand-up paddling for the endless possibilities out on the waves. “With the paddle, verses hand paddling, you can be a little further out and catch the waves easier,” Dr. Weiser comments. “I use it as a form of surfing.” Stand-up paddling can be used in the thick of the ocean waves or on calm waters, allowing water enthusiasts to see what they couldn’t while laying on a surf board. They can experience wonderful views of sea life, the horizon, and anything else not normally seen from under the umbrella on the beach.
Get Paddling
Getting started with stand-up paddling requires purchasing or renting a board, paddle, possibly a personal flotation device (PFD), and sunscreen if needed. “You can get a used board and paddle for six to eight hundred dollars. It’ll go up to the three thousand range for a custom surf board,” Dr. Weiser says.
It is also important to dress for the weather appropriately before heading to the coast. Wet suits are the norm for any type of water sport as they keep the body insulated and prevent hypothermia, but with stand-up paddling wet suits don’t need to be the only option. “I’m in Southern California so, we only wear wet suits in the winter time,” Dr. Weiser comments. “Otherwise you’re just trunking it because, remember, you’re on top of the water the whole time. You’re not dangling in the water, so you’ll actually be a little warmer.” Clothing such as swim suits or t-shirts and shorts are easier to maneuver in and will not weigh you down if wet.
After renting the equipment and dabbing the sunscreen on your nose, it’s time to hit the waves and experience the beauty of the ocean while standing right on top of it. But when is the best time to jump into the water, board in hand? SUPers like Dr. Weiser gauge their trips by weather just as surfers do, but because he is standing rather than laying on his stomach he figures the weather factors into his trip a bit more than it may for surfers. “Afternoons get windy, so it’s a better sport in the morning,” Dr. Weiser says. “You want the water to be smoother and flatter than choppy and windy.”
Stand-up paddling is the experience of a lifetime for those looking for a fun water adventure during their vacations. They can view the ocean in a new light and even feel like they are walking on water at any time, and still catch those awesome waves while making surfers jealous. So get out there and SUP!
Shanna Laub writes for Off-Topic Media. Thanks to Dr. Mark Weiser for sharing with us about his hobby. When he’s not paddling, Dr. Weiser is treating snoring and sleep apnea at on of his two offices in either Santa Barbara or Los Angeles. He can be reached at:
Mark T Weiser DDS
1511 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-899-3600
Excercise Directory
Posted by Bob Weber on May 12th, 2008 in Fitness | 0 commentsFound this today, thought it was pretty slick
Do I have Bulimia????
Posted by Bob Weber on Dec 5th, 2006 in Fitness, Our Changing World, Personal | 0 commentsAppearantly many people have Bulimia and don’t know it because they don’t puke.
Bulimia is widely known as a “binge-purge” eating disorder, in which a person goes through cycles of excessive eating followed by purging — through either vomiting or abusing laxatives and diuretics.
But there are also non-purging forms of bulimia, where tactics like excessive exercise or strict dieting are used to counter binge-eating episodes.
Now the LAST thing I want to do is diminish the dangers of eating disorders, but where do you draw the line? Does this mean that when I have a big Sunday dinner and spend the rest of the week watching my diet and putting time in at the gym I have an eating disorder?
There are fitness experts that actually promote this type of lifestyle as a healthy means of weightloss. I have done this myself and had good success, but now this article says these are symptoms of an eating disorder. I am so confused.
The downward spiral
Posted by Bob Weber on Oct 22nd, 2006 in Fitness, Personal | 0 commentsScott Adams, of Dilbert fame, has an interesting article on the relationship between mood and energy levels. I think he has an interesting insight here – one that can be brought into the realm of fitness and overall physical appearance.
People get caught in ‘feedback loops’ where their negative actions encourage them to make more negative actions. If a person wakes up in the morning and feels fat and ugly, what do they do? Do they hop out of bed with a smile and head to the gym? Most of us roll over, sleep a few more hours, get up, order a pizza and watch a movie. These actions further decrease our self esteem and worsen our condition. My sister is a beauty consultant and we have discussed this several times. She notices the same thing. If you want to sell makeup you don’t approach the women that REALLY NEED IT. Instead you approach women that are fashion concious and attractive. Why? Because you would have to change the attitudes of women that are concerned about their looks and the sale is much to hard. Approaching individuals that are already concerned about their appearance and helping them attain their goals is much more fruitful.
The good news is that the cycle will work in positive ways as well as negative. If you head to the gym, buy well fitting stylish clothes, regularly spend $25 on a haircut, eat right and are concerned about your appearance you can change your motivations. You will want to work out more, buy more clothes, eat better more often and continue to improve yourself. My advice to anyone who wants to change their lifestyle is to start with the little things. Dress better, eat better, meet more people, save a little money, join a gym. Don’t start big, but worry about the details. Start working out once a week, then stop having a bowl of ice cream after every meal. It’s a long, slow, hard road, but if you start out with small steps eventually you will get there.
The worst foods
Posted by Bob Weber on Sep 14th, 2006 in Fitness, Personal | 0 commentsForbes has a great list of the worst foods you can eat. Too bad they list so many things that look SOOO good.
