Stand-Up Paddle Surfing--do you do it?

It seems as if more and more people I know are trying out stand-up paddle surfing (SUP). What first seemed like a kooky sport has infiltrated our surf society. Many of those that I know who have tried it become obsessed—they find themselves participating in SUP more than regular surfing. On the other side of the coin are those that hate it and get upset when SUP surfers come into the lineup, saying they poach all the waves. (An interesting side note to this is that SUP surfers aren’t allowed in the Trestles line-up. If you are a SUP surfer, you can only surf on the very southern end of San Onofre—I’ve heard stories that if they take off on a wave at Trestles, the lifeguards actually do clear them from the water.)

 So, I’m wondering how many people participate in the sport. It’s a bit like kite surfing—it costs a lot of start-up money to get going (the boards are in the four figure range) and you’re not always appreciated for doing it. In the April issue of TW Business, retailers are saying that the boards aren’t selling too fast, and they seem to be selling on the West coast more than the East coast. Interesting, considering that the East coast has smaller waves; one would think they would want to participate in a variety of water sports when the swell is down. There seems to be more people doing it in Cardiff than in Huntington Beach—another interesting thought—why are there so many participants in one area, and hardly any in another?

*Book cover taken from Amazon.

Comments

[brian]

Hell no i don't do it.. Those guys are kooks.. go back to Waikiki!!!! Learn to surf...