Paddleboarding is the sport of 2020
Once I attempted it on Lake Como on a not too wide (narrow!), quite unstable and unsuitable board, compared to what is available now. I went head first into the water within three seconds with paddle and all, while a friend of mine paddled across the lake in a straight line whistling, of course. But he is also a surfer. After half an hour on my knees and a whopping five minutes standing on that still unstable board, I actually found it fun.
Suddenly the whole country is stand-up paddling. I suspect it also has to do with the fact that hospitality and beaches were closed. (because of corona) and it suddenly was thirty degrees, but the fact remains that stand-up paddling is hot. Logical, because you don't have to be a seasoned surfer to do it AND actually everyone can do it. Unless you have to deal with a completely disturbed balance, then water biking might be a better plan. It can be done on the ditch behind your house, over the canals, on a pond, and in calm weather it's even fun at sea, although I would still read up a bit on that last one.
So, stand-up paddling is hot, it can be done everywhere and everyone is suitable, but it is also a seriously good workout and better for you than you might think. Of course, it varies from person to person, because burning calories has much more to do with more than just your workout, but with an hour of recreational paddling you quickly burn 300 to 400 calories. Which is nice to have when you're doing something for relaxation. But there are even more benefits.
1. It is extremely good for your abdominal muscles. That six-pack is therefore in the making, while you don't even realize it.
2. Stand-up paddling is a low impact workout, which means you can keep it up for a long time and have little chance of injuries.
3. You train the smaller muscles in your feet and legs, which normally only come into play when you do exercises from a physiotherapist, because you constantly have to maintain balance on your board. There is no other workout that has that effect.
4. It is good against stress, because I said it earlier: everything is more fun on the water.
5. You are outside, so you get a big dose of vitamin D, which has a positive effect on your health and mood.
6. A sup is suitable for much more than just paddling, you can participate in races or take a yoga class on a sup.
I don't know what you're going to do this summer, but I'm looking for a very stable sup board to cover some distance. See you on the water, ay?
