Stand up Paddleboarding?

tisadell

Hey just wondering if anyone out there does stand up paddleboard? If so, do you have any ideas or suggestions to increase the effectiveness or get a better calorie burn? Mostly I'm looking to use this as a way to get active while enjoying the ocean!

b3achy

What'SUP?!

I have been SUPing for almost 2 years now. It is a super great workout. Welcome to the great sport of SUP!!

One of the biggest things that has helped me was to participate in local races and get tips from other paddlers on proper paddling technique (though there are also plenty of online videos too). Proper paddling technique will use all of your core and your legs. Most people that are casual paddlers use a looser arm stroke which doesn't work nearly as much of the body as the straight arm full body twist of a racer stroke.

BTW, the SUP racing community isn't about just elite paddlers, but also is very embracing and encouraging to newbie racers (I only started racing last year and currently still just race the short races - 3-4 miles). I find when I have a race to prep for, I tend to workout on the board more. Many of the races also have fun paddles of 1 or 2 miles - untimed, but then you get to hang out and enjoy the festivities with some of the best paddlers in your community. Look for races in your area on PaddleGuru.com.

Also, take some classes, or at least look for group paddles in your area (MeetUp is a good place to find some paddling groups). Often people that paddle together talk about what works for them, but remember that each person is unique and will have variations for their paddle stroke (I have to do a slightly modified stroke due to some lower back issues).

This is one of my favorite articles/graphics on calorie burn while paddling: https://www.islesurfandsup.com/sup-fitness-how-many-calories-does-paddle-boarding-burn-2/

Enjoy! ~~b3achy

PaddlingAround

Here's another good resource on SUP and calorie burning: https://www.inflatableboarder.com/many-calories-paddle-boarding-burn/

As B3achy mentioned, proper paddling technique is absolutely critical. As your stroke technique improves, the workout and results you get from paddling get better and better.

Happy paddling!

meritage4

To burn more calories paddle faster. Increase your cadence Sounds simple but it works....

CarvedTones

b3achy wrote: »

What'SUP?!

I have been SUPing for almost 2 years now. It is a super great workout. Welcome to the great sport of SUP!!

One of the biggest things that has helped me was to participate in local races and get tips from other paddlers on proper paddling technique (though there are also plenty of online videos too). Proper paddling technique will use all of your core and your legs. Most people that are casual paddlers use a looser arm stroke which doesn't work nearly as much of the body as the straight arm full body twist of a racer stroke.

BTW, the SUP racing community isn't about just elite paddlers, but also is very embracing and encouraging to newbie racers (I only started racing last year and currently still just race the short races - 3-4 miles). I find when I have a race to prep for, I tend to workout on the board more. Many of the races also have fun paddles of 1 or 2 miles - untimed, but then you get to hang out and enjoy the festivities with some of the best paddlers in your community. Look for races in your area on PaddleGuru.com.

Also, take some classes, or at least look for group paddles in your area (MeetUp is a good place to find some paddling groups). Often people that paddle together talk about what works for them, but remember that each person is unique and will have variations for their paddle stroke (I have to do a slightly modified stroke due to some lower back issues).

This is one of my favorite articles/graphics on calorie burn while paddling: https://www.islesurfandsup.com/sup-fitness-how-many-calories-does-paddle-boarding-burn-2/

Enjoy! ~~b3achy

That's a good link for burn, but what a range! I am early in the learning curve, though I have decades of experience on things you paddle and things that require balance. First time out, I paddled about 4 miles and only fell in twice, so I am getting the hang of it and I really enjoy it. I think I will be somewhere in the middle between recreational and touring. I want to get a touring board for the ocean and big lakes, but that will have to wait a while (still reeling from sticker shock). I have a cheap inflatable now. I am an aging river rat and I am also getting into whitewater SUP. Not the heavy duty crazy stuff; just making what had become the boring easy stuff exciting again.

CarvedTones

After some more experience, I think as a beginner I am burning a lot of calories, probably in the touring range (615-708 per hour in that linked article) when I go non stop even though my speed is much lower. And I did a day of light whitewater with an experience river SUP paddler; that is an incredible workout. Also, I have an inflatable SUP that requires substantial pressure and I use the hand pump that came with it. That gives me a pretty intense 10 minute workout before I even get wet. The burn will probably drop as I get better form in paddling and I am more comfortable. Just staying balanced is more exercise than I expected, but after a few trips I am already getting more relaxed.