SUP paddling is a sport for everyone

SUP – Stand Up Paddle – is
a water and board sport where you stand on the board and paddle with a
single-blade paddle. We at Kona Sports discovered SUP back in 2006 when the sport
was a completely new thing in Sweden. Since then, SUP paddling has grown enormously. Today the sport is very popular and well-established in Sweden and we think that's so fun!

The best thing about SUP is that it is a
sport for everyone. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, big or small.
or small, strong or whatever you've done before – everyone can learn
The most common all-round boards for SUP are both stable and
easy to paddle, which makes it easy to get started with paddling and so
Once you become confident on the board, you can paddle in all types of water. It
This makes SUP both an accessible and fascinating sport.

A SUP board can be used in lots of ways.
different ways. Depending on where you paddle, you will always get new and varied
paddling experiences. "Souping" in a calm lake is completely different from
for example, paddling on a flowing river or on an open and windy
sea. Whether you paddle SUP for pure recreation or as
As a form of exercise, all types of SUP paddling provide an incredibly good workout – for the whole body. It primarily trains balance, core muscles, legs and shoulders.

That SUP paddling opens up so
many new possibilities are outstanding! The most common types of
paddling is flatwater paddling, touring, surfing, racing, SUP yoga and
SUP fitness, but there are more. Here we will go through the different
paddling styles and which board models are best suited for different
purpose.

For different types of paddling there are
of course different types of SUP boards to give the paddler as good
conditions as possible. For example, there are paddle boards for
touring and training that are longer and narrower, there are also boards
adapted for SUP surfing and wider, more stable boards that fit
perfect for SUP yoga and fishing etc.

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FLAT WATER SUP PADDLING

Flatwater paddling is the most common
paddling form in Sweden. Here you paddle in calmer waters, in lakes and
rivers, where there are rarely big waves. If you mainly paddle in flat water
fits a long, flat board with a pointed tip best. It has good
directional stability which means you don't have to change sides with
paddle as often. At the same time, it is not as easy to maneuver as a
shorter board, which you instead look for in wavy water.

SUP TOURING

Touring means paddling a
longer trip with the SUP. A touring board has just like a flatwater board
good directional stability – it is
long with a pointed front, but since you also want to get up in touring
higher speed, these boards are also a little narrower. The touring board has
at the same time good buoyancy with large volume to handle both paddlers and
possible load. These SUPs also have attachment points for load in the bow.
Since touring often takes place on the open sea, the board can handle rougher waters
without becoming very unstable.

SUP YOGA

SUP yoga is the fastest growing
the branch of SUP paddling right now. Doing yoga on a SUP gives the experience
another dimension and is a very relaxing, peaceful and
effective way to train balance, body control and concentration. Yoga
in combination with the still water is unbeatable! When you do yoga on a
With SUP, the surface is not completely stable, which enhances the training effect
and trains the sense of balance enormously. Boards for SUP yoga are stable and
therefore shorter and wider than other models. They have a large soft
Grip surface that covers the entire board, making it a large yoga mat!

SUP FITNESS

Combine efficient paddling with
fitness exercises on the board! SUP fitness is an incredibly effective way to
train your whole body. Here you train your strength incredibly effectively,
endurance and balance in ways that are difficult to do on land. It is
also a form of exercise that simultaneously develops both body control
and concentration. The board is the same as for SUP yoga. A wide and
Stable board with soft grip surface on the entire top.

SUP SURF

If you surf with your SUP you should have a
shorter board that resembles a classic surfboard. The buoyancy and
however, the stability should be better. These boards have a round bow and more
fins and they are not suitable for classic flat water paddling as they are sluggish
to paddle regularly with.

SUP RACE / TRAINING

Those who compete in speed SUP have very light carbon fiber boards in the 12'6 or 14'0 classes depending on the distance. SUP race
is decided both on flat water and in the sea. On flat water there are
long-distance races and sprint races. In races in the sea, the competitors paddle out
towards the waves and in with the waves where their surfing skills are also tested.
The boards used are very narrow, long and directional stable for
to provide the best speed and minimize the number of changes in paddle grip.

SUP WHEN DOWNWIND PADDLING – DOWNWINDER

Paddling out at sea on big waves in a tailwind, these paddlers have 17-foot long boards and surf at high speeds.

SUP PADDLING IN FORS - WHITEWATER

Rafting is
a difficult and risky type of paddling and relatively rare. These
paddlers are well equipped with protection and have durable, stable boards. Nothing
for beginners!