I’m big on analogies, so if I had to compare stand-up paddleboarding to a non-aquatic sport, it would definitely be jogging. The ultimate cross-over exercise, it is great for cardio-vascular work (and, believe it or not, core strengthening). Pretty much anyone can participate, regardless of fitness level or athletic prowess. It doesn’t even have to be done on the open ocean
. In Northwest Florida at the beaches of South Walton along scenic highway 30A, for example, people mostly YOLO board (their own version of stand-up paddleboarding) on the prevalent coastal dune lakes. And can we just remember how much of the planet is covered in water for a second? What a great way to be able to explore more of it!
Like jogging, you can keep it casual and social by going out with your friends and catching up on small talk. Or you can throw in your earphones and enter the zone solo, your favorite workout playlist keeping with the cadence of your strokes. I’ve seen tandem boards with people on YOLO dates and parents paddling while their kids hang out in front, peering into the water below for sightings of turtles, fish, or even dolphins. Since humans tend to sink when attempting to stand on water, this is the closest we’ve managed to get to pure buoyancy.
I come from a little bit of a paddling background myself. All through college I rowed boats and love any opportunity to go whitewater rafting or sea kayaking. Few things are cooler than the “thwack-swish” of oars slapping water or watching the remnants of an early morning fog lazily burn off the reservoir surface. Translating previously seated strokes into standing ones wasn’t all that difficult for me; I can see how surfers, paddlers, windsurfers, and others who enjoy recreating in H2O also make the transition.
But here’s how stand-up paddleboarding is not like jogging. A pair of sneakers will cost ya between $80 and $120, ballpark. A stand-up paddleboard set-up will set you back anywhere from $900-$1,500 if you really want to get serious. To me, that start-up cost seems a little exclusive. Then, once you have it you need to figure out how to get it around—some of those suckers are heavy!
Of course there is always the option of renting, and it’s not like you’re obliged to buy spendy accessories or clothing. To be fair, many enthusiasts said that once you get a board, you have it and, unless you want to upgrade (which often seems to be the natural progression of things), there are no further costs.
But I don’t know, I’m still not quite sold. If you offer me a free board to play around on, will I accept? Of course! But am I going to run out and buy my own? Probably not. At this juncture in time, I’d rather push that 1k towards skis or a mountain bike.
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Return to womensadventuremagazine.com for more blogs by regular contributor and gear tester Whitney Medved.
