SUP surfing (paddle surfing) recommended school points beginner's guide

SUP surfing (paddle surfing) "I want to start surfing now!" "But I'm not so confident in my motor nerves ..." Activities that even beginners of water sports and women who are worried about physical fitness can enjoy surfing ..

Here, we will introduce selected information that makes SUP surfing (paddle surfing) more familiar, such as the charm of SUP surfing (paddle surfing), how to choose tools, recommended experience spots, etc.

What is SUP surfing (paddle surfing)?

The official name of SUP surfing (paddle surfing) is Stand Up Paddle Surfing .. It is a new type of water sport where you stand on a SUP board, which is one size larger than a surfboard, and ride the waves while paddling.

What is the recommended place for SUP surfing (paddle surfing)?

Tokyo / Kanagawa / Amami Oshima / Okinawa You can participate in SUP surfing (paddle surfing) experience tours, etc. Recommended spots Introducing.

Kanagawa Zushi Beach

Zushi Beach is shallow, highly transparent, and the waves are calm. Is perfect for the debut of SUP surfing (paddle surfing) beginners. If the weather is nice, you can see the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. About 1 hour from Tokyo Station on the Yokosuka Line There are many sightseeing spots such as "Riviera Zushi Marina" which is easy to access and looks like an overseas resort. You can enjoy it even on a day trip.

Kanagawa Chigasaki Beach

Chigasaki coast boasts a great location with Enoshima on the left, Mt. Fuji on the right, and Karasuhataiwa in front. Shonan area is the birthplace of surfing in Japan It is a sacred place where many surfers gather. In order not to disturb the local rules, it is recommended that beginners take a hands-on tour and take an instructor's lecture. Learn board control with careful instruction and enjoy the finest waves.

Kanagawa Miura Beach

If you take the Keikyu Main Line from Shinagawa Station, you can reach Miura Kaigan in about an hour. The clear sea is calm and beautiful, and it is a popular spot crowded with swimmers in the summer. You can receive one-on-one instruction of SUP There is also a marine sports club, Recommended for beginners who want to learn carefully .. You can efficiently level up.

Kago Amami Oshima

Kagoshima / Amami Oshima is one of the places that surfers long for. Warm climate, clear waters, surf-friendly terrain Is a big attraction of this island. There are many places where the local SUP school teaches firmly with a small number of people, so it should be satisfying from beginners to experienced people. Enjoy the beautiful Amami sea, where you can sometimes meet sea turtles.

Okinawa Miyakojima

If you want to try SUP surfing (paddle surfing) on Miyakojima, be sure to Recommended local guide To do. Most of the time in Okinawa Since you are surfing on a coral reef, you can only surf for about 3 hours before and after high tide. .. If you apply for a hands-on tour, you can make a schedule according to the tide time of the day, so you can rest assured. You can enjoy SUP surfing (paddle surfing) without worrying while enjoying the superb view of Miyako Blue.

Okinawa Nakijin Village

Quiet and calm local natural beach So, Nakijin Village where you can challenge SUP surfing (paddle surfing) to your heart's content. In the coral reef sea unique to Okinawa, you can enjoy a completely different appearance at high tide and low tide. From the basics of SUP to surfing A little-known spot that makes you want to stay leisurely and practice hard is.

Northern Okinawa Yanbaru

Northern part of the main island of Okinawa designated as Yambaru National Park Also, a great spot for SUP surfing (paddle surfing). The waves of reef break are powerful and Quite big waves if you go offshore You can meet.

The charm of SUP surfing (paddle surfing)

"Surfing is difficult" Is often said. Standing on an unstable surfboard is a difficult trick for beginners. Shortboards are particularly difficult, and many people have practiced for months and finally set them up.

In that respect, SUP surfing (paddle surfing) is A big attraction is that even beginners can easily try it .. Dedicated The sapboard is one size larger than the surfboard and is about 2.7 to 3 meters long. there is. Strong buoyancy, easy to maintain stability even for beginners So you can stand on the board with a relatively short amount of practice. Furthermore, as mentioned above, take-off (movement to ride the waves) is easier to succeed than surfing, and if you use the paddle effectively, you can freely manipulate the board on the waves. You can experience the excitement of uniting with the waves faster.

Even if you can't ride the waves at first, you can have a good time just by cruising while paddling. Recommended for beginners in water sports .. If you experience it while traveling, it will surely be an unforgettable memory along with the beautiful scenery from the water.
What makes me even more happy It also helps to improve the style That is. By riding on an unstable board and trying to keep balance The core is trained and the whole body is tightened efficiently. can do.

The excitement of meeting a good wave, the thrill of sliding down the face of the wave, and the exhilaration of manipulating the paddle and integrating it with the wave. SUP surfing (paddle surfing) has many attractions. If you are interested in it, please take the challenge. Once you get on the waves, it will surely be a trico of SUP surfing (paddle surfing).

Difference between SUP surfing (paddle surfing) and normal surfing

The biggest difference from normal surfing is Use paddles as well as boards about it. Surfing crawls on the surfboard and you have to squeeze through the waves with both hands to swim. However, SUP surfing (paddle surfing) can stand on the board and paddle forward, so Relatively easy to get offshore .. The wider the field of view, the easier it is to find good waves. In other words It's easier to seize the chance to ride the waves than surfing, and you can prevent exhaustion of physical strength It is.

Also, surfing can only be done with big waves, SUP surfing using paddles (paddle surfing) allows you to ride small wind waves and swells .. It can be done not only in the sea, but also in lakes and gentle riversides.

History of SUP surfing (paddle surfing)

It was the style that led to the current SUP Hawaiian Beach Boys in the 1960s .. It is said that it started when he stood on the board to take a picture of tourists surfing with a camera.

afterwards, Twin surfing (A style of riding a big wave by pulling a boat to the offshore while standing on a surfboard and using the propulsive force) Laird Hamilton and others who are pioneers of SUP pay attention to SUP .. While using SUP as lower body strength training, Paddles make it easier to get offshore than surfing, making it easier to take off (ride the waves) and turn The merit was recognized among surfers.

Currently Popular as a water sport with a different charm from surfing .. Many people love SUP surfing, with large-scale competitions being held all over the world.

Before starting SUP surfing (paddle surfing)

For those who are going to try SUP surfing (paddle surfing) from now on Take a hands-on tour organized by a local shop or school please try.

Depending on the beach Area of SUP surfing (paddle surfing) is decided Sometimes, Manners such as avoiding points that are crowded with surfers There is also.
Because SUP surfing (paddle surfing) is easier to ride the waves than normal surfing Consideration such as giving up without monopolizing the waves Is also important.

You can enjoy SUP surfing (paddle surfing) comfortably even for the first time if you learn the local rules of the area under the guidance of a talented instructor on a reliable tour.

Challenge SUP surfing (paddle surfing)! How to choose a board or paddle

Finally challenge SUP surfing (paddle surfing)! ――In such a case, what is worrisome is after all How to choose "tools" .. Learn how to choose boards and equipment that will make riding the waves even more fun.

What board material is suitable for SUP surfing (paddle surfing)?

The sap board that is indispensable for SUP surfing (paddle surfing) can be divided into two types according to the material.
Hardboard Is a board made of a hard material such as reinforced plastic. Inflatable board Is made of rubber material and is used by inflating it with air like a rubber boat with an electric pump.
The inflatable type is lightweight, has high buoyancy, can be folded and carried, and is said to be recommended for SUP beginners. However, there is SUP surfing (paddle surfing) whose main purpose is to ride the waves. Considering the speed of reaching the waves and the ease of turning, Many people choose hardboards over inflatables It seems.

Why hardboards are good for SUP surfing One of them is compared to inflatables Less deflection, easier to speed up thing. The other is the difference in the design of the side of the board called the rail. In SUP surfing (paddle surfing), you put the rail in the face of the wave and turn, Inflatable boards tend to have thick rails and are difficult to enter the sea surface It is said that there are times.
Whether to choose by ease of handling or surfing performance. When in doubt, it is recommended to rent it on an experience tour instead of purchasing it suddenly. .. First of all, let's find a board that suits you while checking the usability.

What is the best board shape for SUP surfing (paddle surfing)?

The type (shape) of the sap board is Mainly 4 types .. Can be used for various purposes such as cruising and exercising "All round" , Suitable for speed competitions such as SUP races "Race model" Suitable for surfing "Wave" Wide and excellent in stability and strength "cruising" there is.

this house As the name suggests, the "wave" type is suitable for SUP surfing (paddle surfing). .. As with surfing, there are shortboards and longboards. Shortboards have low buoyancy and are difficult to ride, but they are easy to handle and can make sharp turns. The longboard has a large buoyancy, and it has a sense of stability and you can enjoy cruising.

Leash code

A flow stop that connects the board and the body called a leash cord is an essential item .. Without this, when you fall off the board, the board may separate from your body, resulting in an accident such as drowning or the washed-out board hitting a person.

paddle

Indispensable for SUP surfing (paddle surfing) Paddle for rowing water is. There are several paddle materials, but the lightest and easiest to speed up is The part of the rod called the shaft is carbon Made of. Many high-end models are made of carbon and are expensive.

The shaft is Aluminum ones have excellent durability and low price However, the drawback is that it is heavy.
In terms of weight and price, it is between the two. Paddle with a glass fiber shaft is.

Not only the material of the shaft blade The size and material of the part that enters the water, and the hardness and thickness of the shaft also affect the feeling when rowing.
Does the paddle length suit you? Also an important checkpoint. When you reach out and grab the grip The best balance is to bend your elbows a little is.

However, depending on the type of board, the exact length may change. Adjustable paddle with adjustable length There is also an option.

Other things you want to prepare

Smartphone in a waterproof case

In case you get separated from your friends during the experience tour, or if something goes wrong with your board or paddle, A must-have smartphone for contact .. It's a good idea to put it in a waterproof case and wear it.

Wearable life preserver

Just in case you drown Always wear a life jacket or floating vest let's do it. Floating vests are also called leisure life jackets. It is highly durable and will soften the impact even when it falls on a rocky place.

Sunscreen, drinks, etc.

Since you will be staying on the water or on the beach for a long time, it is safe to have sunscreen, drinks, towels, change of clothes, rash guards and hats for sunshades.

Leaf boots

Some people prefer bare feet because of their ease of movement, Leaf boots to prevent injuries caused by coral and sea urchin thorns It is safe to wear. As the length is up to the ankle, it is not as heavy as marine shoes and surf boots and you can move comfortably.

What clothing is suitable for SUP surfing (paddle surfing)?

In many experience tours, during SUP surfing (paddle surfing) Wetsuits rental I am doing. Although it is basic to stand on the board, SUP surfing (paddle surfing) may cause water to fall. Wearing a wetsuit over your swimsuit will prevent your body temperature from dropping even if it gets wet, and it will also prevent sunburn caused by UV rays. The recommended wetsuit types are as follows It is as follows.

Early summer-autumn

Long John (sleeveless, long pants wetsuit) and long sleeve tapper (jacket) setup It is convenient to have a thermoregulatory body temperature.

Midsummer

Swimsuit with long sleeve tapper or long sleeve rush guard to prevent sunburn To. Don't forget to apply waterproof sunscreen as your lower body will get a lot of sunburn if you only wear a swimsuit.

Winter-spring

If your body gets wet and your body temperature drops, it can be life-threatening. Wear a full-dry or semi-dry wetsuit let's do it.

How do you get on the board? What are the basics of rowing?

Surfing and SUP for the first time In that case, first Practice standing on the board on the water I will continue to do. Open your hands about the width of your shoulders, get on the board, and when you are in a kneeling position, slowly stand up one leg at a time and raise your body. If you can stand evenly across the center line of the board, you are successful.

It is recommended to practice the basics of paddle work on land before going out to the water. .. When viewed from the side, the correct way to hold it is that the paddle is in front of your body and your arms and paddle shaft (bar part) are in a clean triangle. Once you get used to rowing straight Practice the basic technique of "advancing / turning / stopping" To. Remember the technique of turning and turning.

What are the tips for SUP surfing (paddle surfing)?

SUP surfing (paddle surfing) The trick to improving is getting used to handling boards and paddles .. First of all, let's practice so that you can row firmly and change direction smoothly. If you suddenly enter the surf spot, it will interfere with other surfers, so it is recommended to practice from small waves in the open sea as much as possible.

The first challenge is "take-off". The important thing is Start takeoff near the peak of the wave (where the wave breaks) That is. It's the place with the most power in the waves, so it's easier to take off.
The speed of paddling is important to catch the peak of the wave. Submerge the entire paddle blade (the part that enters the water) firmly into the water, put your weight on it, and row powerfully. .. Increases propulsion and reduces the chance of missing a wave.

One thing I want to remember "The board goes in the direction of your line of sight" That is. Once you get on the waves well, it's also important to look closely at the direction you want to go and paddle.

Things to note in SUP surfing (paddle surfing)

SUP surfing (paddle surfing), which has been gaining popularity in recent years. One of the great attractions of SUP is that even beginners can easily take on challenges compared to other water sports.

On the other hand, with the rapid spread, Trouble or contact accident with other surfers Is also happening. The disadvantage of SUP boards is that they are large and heavy because they emphasize stability more than ordinary surfboards. If you lose control of the board and move away from your body, you may hit yourself or others around you and injure yourself.

To avoid serious accidents Beginners are encouraged to take a hands-on tour organized by local shops and schools to learn the correct information and skills. To do. It is also important to check the local rules in advance and pay attention to the movements of the surfers around you.

Promote and raise awareness of SUP competitions Stand Up Paddle Union (SUPU) Then, to enjoy SUP safely Rules & manners and knowledge Is open to the public. Please check here as well and enjoy SUP surfing (paddle surfing) safely.