Archive for August, 2010

While at the Outdoor Retailer trade show, I couldn’t turn a corner without seeing Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) in my line of sight. From early adopters to new arrivals, SUPs were everywhere and largely fell into two categories. First, SUP manufacturers who dove headfirst into the water with these crafts appear to be enjoying the fruits of their labor. Then over in traditional paddlesports, companies appear to be dipping their foot in the water, some with a plan and others feeling that producing a SUP is the just the next thing to do right now.

Everyone seems to have a couple of thoughts on where the SUP movement is heading and here are a few of mine:

• The appeal of walking on water is pretty cool. Who hasn’t pondered on what it feel like to have your feet on the water’s surface and not fall below. SUPs come as close any craft in delivering that experience.

• For new paddlesports participants, SUPs convey a better sense of forgiveness with less consequences for making a mistake than traditional paddlesports craft.

• SUPs are sexy. Have you picked up an SUP magazine lately? This sport sells beautiful people like no other in paddling.

• Competitive events play a critical role in SUP’s success. SUP events are fun, festive, well organized and often have a cash purse.

These ideas bode well for this evolving industry and to say I’m a little curious about SUPs would be an understatement. I’m completely fascinated by the sport and am diving in headfirst to learn all that I can. In my personal quest to experience more kinds of paddlesports, SUP is a natural step in the right direction.

How about you?