What’s SUP?

 
 PHOTOGRAPH BY EMBRY RUCKER

 

While many of us have been out there Stand Up Paddlesurfing for a while now, the sport has really started booming and is fast becoming one of the most popular watersports. There is so much to love about the sport, called SUP for short. It can be done on any body of water — ocean, bay, lakes and rivers; it’s fairly easy to learn; and is a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors while getting an amazing core focused workout.

There are many newcomers eager to give Stand Up Paddlesurfing a try, as well as more experienced paddlers looking to improve their skills. In either category the most important consideration is the equipment and there is a plethora of beautifully designed boards on the market from which to choose. Novice paddlers should opt for a wider and flatter board, which offers more stability, while more experienced paddlers can go with a narrower board for better maneuverability.

 

SUPs: Roxy, Starboard, Laird, Surftech, Rogue, Naish

ALL WATER BOARDS

 

ROXY SUP ( 10’6 x 32″). Fun entry leval board that’s lightweight and durable made with Surftech Tuflite construction; STARBOARD CRUISER ( 12’6 x 30″). From one of the biggest SUP manufacturers comes this long and fast cruiser designed for the open water. Rail shape and nose lift is perfect for catching your first waves too. SURFTECH/LAIRD (available in 10, 11 and 12′ lengths). Wide nose provides stability for beginners, while narrow pintail allows responsive turning for more experienced paddlers. ROGUE RASTA (available in 10’6, 11’6, 12’6 lengths). Designed for smooth paddling in flat water, as well as performance in the surf. NAISH NALU SERIES. From one of the most recognized names in surf, the Nalu series comes in a wide variety of lengths and widths designed for all levels of paddlers.

 

These days SUPs are available in 2 main catagories –All Water boards and Racing/Touring boards, although within each category are boards designed for various types of paddling. The All Water boards have a traditional surfboard shape, with a nose designed to skim the surface of the water. The Race/Touring boards have a pointed nose or bow, with a kayak-like “displacement” hull, designed to cut through the water for long distance paddling and speed.  These boards are generally longer, usually 12’6″ or 14′, as more surface area makes for more efficient paddling. The tail is usually flat as they are primarily designed to go straight. As these boards tends to be narrower, the straight tail adds more stability.

SUPs: Bark, Laird, Surftech, Riviera, 404

RACE / TOURING BOARDS

 

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The Color Of The Month: Yellow

 

yellow2

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WITH FLOWERS STARTING TO BLOOM AND SPRING’S SUNSHINE WARMING THINGS UP, THE COLOR OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL IS YELLOW. 

 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY RUN CLIMACOOL STRETCH TOP $853.1 PHILLIP LIM MEDIUM PASHLI SATCHEL $825BENSIMON “TENNIS” SNEAKERS $55; SURFTECH FLOWMASTER STAND UP PADDLE RACEBOARD $1400TORY BURCH SNAKE EDDIE BALLET FLAT $250HERSCHEL HERITAGE CANVAS $89.99TIMEX IRONMAN SLEEK 250 LAP TAPSCREEN $99.95OAKLEY RACING JACKET CUSTOM $250BOBBIN “BIRDIE” $650

 

 

Got Wood?

 

 

wood sporting goods: old town canoe, arbor skateboard, wewood watch

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Clockwise from top left: SURFTECH BEAR SURFBOARD reg.$1400 on sale at Dogfunk.com $937; BOGNER BAMBOO SKI HELMET $898SHWOOD BELMONT SUNGLASSES $145VOILE BUSTER SKI reg.$625 on sale at Backcountry.com $499SCHWINN 2012 VESTIGE URBAN BIKE $1289; ARBOR CROSS STEP LONGBOARD on sale Evo.com $116.90WEWOOD TIMEPIECES JUPITER $139OLD TOWN MOLITOR 17 CLASSIC WOOD CANOE $8,699.99NALU LUA FAUX KOA WOOD IPHONE CASE $42SLYDE BODYSURFING HANDBOARD $157

In this crazy hi-tech world in which we live, looks like we’ve gone back a bit in time with the appearance of wood as the material of choice for surfboards, ski helmets, watches, bikes, iPhone cases, and more sport and lifestyle accessories. Be it nostalgia for the products of our youth, or new products designed with that hip retro style, wood clearly has a timeless appeal that never goes out of style. Everything that’s old is new again. 

 

 

 
 

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