August 25, 2017 at 3:56 p.m.
STANDUP
Paddleboards rising in popularity
STANDUP
Why has this sport gained so much notoriety in recent years? Why does seemingly every silent auction nowadays feature the chance to win a stand up paddleboard (SUP)? Well, it's because it's good for you. Even compared to kayaking or canoeing, stand up paddleboards offer varying levels of physical activity and exertion to people of all ages.
Beyond that, it's a tremendous amount of fun that gives you an affordable option to get out and investigate all the nooks and crannies of the countless bodies of water in the Northwoods. All you need is yourself, a paddle and a lightweight board.
The benefits
"It's a fantastic way to stay in shape and get outdoors," Michael Laurence said. Laurence is a sales representative at Coontail Sports in Arbor Vitae, one of the area's largest retailers of SUPs. Laurence is also a pre-med student at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. "Within the past few years the sport has really boomed. It's been incredible."
But the boom isn't that surprising. Many reports, both official and anecdotal, have come out in the recent past about the health benefits of paddleboarding. In addition to a great overall workout, the sport's focus on balance and slow motion, high repetition action can work wonders for those recovering from surgery or injury.
Another physical activity stand up paddleboarding has facilitated is on-water yoga. Many yoga classes are now being offered atop SUPs and the added focus on balance and mental focus can take your yoga practice to a higher level.
What stand up paddleboarding really promotes, however, is right in the name. The adage of "sitting is the new smoking" is commonplace now as more people try to move away from sedentary lifestyles to avoid traditional cardiovascular ailments such as poor circulation and high blood pressure. Standup paddleboarding is known as an ideal combination of exercise, fitness and therapy - all of which can help you live a healthy, productive life.
"This really is a full body workout - which differs from many other watersports," Laurence said. "You engage your core, of course you're working on your balance and then your arms are pushing you across the water. Kayaking is great, but it is mostly a shoulder and upper body workout, which is where stand up paddleboarding excels."
What the sport also offers is the ability to engage a variety of muscles in a low-impact manner, which can greatly help those with a history of injury or muscle, tendon or ligament aggravation. This makes the sport a very logical option for someone who is looking to get in exercise during a healing process.
The concept of eco-therapy also comes into play when engaging in stand up paddleboarding.
A stress-relieving way to engage with your natural surroundings, stand up paddleboarding can promote personal mental clarity, if done in solitude, and can also be a social tool if done in a group setting.
Marshfield Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation physician Dr. James Mullen said the sport is great way to promote all-around health. He also said the environment where the sport takes place offers even more benefits.
"Exercising outdoors raises our natural endorphins more than the same intensity of exercise done indoors," Dr. Mullen said.
Meaning, stand up paddleboarding can give you that "runner's high" much quicker than pounding away on a treadmill.
It's a sport that is easy to fall in love with. Being fully in control of the speed and direction, the calming sense of the water rushing past you, the natural landscapes that SUPs allow you to explore - many people become quickly fanatical about it.
At what cost
As with any endeavor, there is an initial investment. Although once you're properly equipped, the cost of the sport is pretty low (pretty much just the cost of gas to get you to your desired body of water), paddleboards can get a little pricey. While a new, adequate model will cost you a few hundred bucks, several retailers in the area offer rental options, as well as guided classes that can help get you involved with the sport.
Both Coontail Sports in Arbor Vitae and Chequamegon Adventure Company in Minocqua offer paddleboard purchases, rentals and classes for an affordable rate. While the idea of venturing out on an SUP for the first time can feel daunting, these sources can help ease both personal anxieties and financial burden.
Every Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Torpy Park in Minocqua, the Chequamegon Adventure Center offers instructional opportunities and board testing for free to the public.
While that initiative is winding down for the summer 2017 season, expect it to return in 2018.
By going to the Coontail Sports website, coontail.net, those interested can sign up for SUP yoga classes and weekly demos, providing another opportunity for getting going.
"There are a lot of easy, affordable ways to get out on the water and it's good to get people thinking about that," Laurence said.
He also noted that the stand up paddleboarding community is generally a welcoming one, with many veteran paddlers more than willing to share performance tips or give some hints as to some of the more pristine waters for paddling. In general, small, lower traffic lakes are going to be optimal for introduction to the sport.
So get out and enjoy what is left of the summer. The Northwoods provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural resources in a variety of ways and stand up paddleboarding is just another way to engage.
Visit Coontail Sports at 1400 US-51, Arbor Vitae, WI 54568 or Chequamegon Adventure Company at 8576 US-51, Minocqua, WI 54548.
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
E-Editions
Latest News
E-Editions
Events
August
To Submit an Event Sign in first
Today's Events
No calendar events have been scheduled for today.
Comments:
You must login to comment.