Take a stand on stand-up paddle-surfing

by Nilma DOLE

If you haven't heard of stand up paddle surfing then you haven't been introduced to the latest water sport to hit the waves. A combination of surfing and paddling, stand up paddle surfing (SUP), or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he'e nalu, is a rapidly developing global sport of Hawaiian origin.

The sport started as a technique for surfing instructors who handled larger groups of learner surfers to make them stand on the board to give them a higher level of vision and better visibility. When it first started, a one-bladed paddle was used while standing on a normal length surfboard. In the early 1960s, the Beach Boys of Waikiki used to stand on their long boards, and paddle out with outrigger paddles to snap photographs of those learning to surf, giving rise to the name 'Beach Boy Surfing' which also describes SUP.

Today, the paddle and surfboard have been customised to manage stand up paddle surfing in a competitive way.

Even though this sport is in its preliminary stages, Sri Lanka's former windsurf champion Thushal Gunawardena and his friend Dhammika were not only the first Sri Lankans but the first Asians to take part in the World Championships last year. Speaking to the Sunday Observer Thushal said, "When I went to Hamburg last year for a holiday, stand up paddle surfing was being promoted and I was talking to Dhammika about taking part just for kicks to see where we stand in stand up paddle surfing."

Veterans

Having virtually no idea about the sport, Thushal and Dhammika got advice from some of the veterans in SUP including the first 'modern' surfer to bring the sport out of Hawaii and onto mainland USA, Rick Thomas. "SUP is beneficial in giving you a strong 'core' workout and makes develop your upper body region. Hence, we were both fit and only trained for about three hours before participating in the competition," he said.

At the JEVER SUP World Cup in Hamburg last July, Thushal participated in the Men's category in the sprint distance and having no idea of the game up until a few hours before the competition, he managed to get into the finals. "I was surprised because I had no technical expertise and didn't know much about the sport so I was lucky to come eighth place in the final tally with a score of 97 points which wasn't bad for a first timer," said Thushal with a smile.

In the men's category Ekolu Kalama and Sonni Hönscheid won and in the women's category, Marina Wagner and Weis took top honours where 143 competitors took part. This time around, Thushal has trained extensively, gained good advice from professionals in the game and has even had support from the manufacturers of the stand up paddle surf boards to take part in style.

"This time I'm very confident about the game so hopefully I can do better than next time. My aim is to do well in the Championships to inspire Sri Lankans to take up the sport because it can be promoted well."

According to Thushal, the only places in Sri Lanka where you get a stand up paddle surf board is at the Sunshine Sports Centre where there is one SUP board and paddle and some tourists have also brought their gear to try this sport in Sri Lanka. He said, "I hope to bring more SUP gear for Sri Lankans to train because there is immense potential for this sport.

The sport is environmentally-friendly because it's not a motor sport so it doesn't pollute the environment." He added, "Those who indulge in SUP do not require to have a high level of fitness and anyone from any age can take up this sport."

He emphasised that it's a sport that can unite those interested in water sports but who need to practise to take up other sports like surfing or even windsurfing. Apparently there are plenty of women who have taken up the sport because there were many competitors in last year's competition.

Biceps

What's more, if you want to develop your upper body such as your biceps and triceps including good abdominal muscles, this is the sport for you to lose weight. "On a competitive level and depending on the category, the game requires about two to five kilometres of paddling which can be a rigorous work out for participants," said Thushal. Even if you aren't a swimmer, you can wear a lifejacket and take up the sport but it is always advisable to learn how to swim.

SUP can be done in any type of water be in rough or calm waves because it is flexible and not a sport that required special conditions to do. "The SUP board has rubber ridges making it easier to balance and the paddle is lightweight so it's not difficult to paddle and coordinate your movements when it comes to this sport." SUP is a game that can be fun and interesting where you can take in the sights and sounds of the atmosphere and really enjoy being on the water," said Thushal.

Unlike in other countries, Sri Lanka can take this sport forward in Sri Lanka because we are an island nation and plenty of water bodies like lakes, streams and lagoons to practise on. "Plus, we have good weather so it makes it easier for those doing SUP unlike in countries where it is too cold to do the sport and requires special insulating swimming gear," said Thushal.

Enlighten

Hoping to enlighten the youth of the country Thushal hopes to introduce the sport for the first time in Sri Lanka at the next Carlton games in Tissa Wewa. "Young people can easily take up the sport because their fitness levels are high and can be harnessed properly with SUP. In addition, it is a good motivation because the World Championships offers good prize money for winners," he said. In the future, SUP can be a popular sport where Sri Lanka can host even the World Championships to take this sport to the next paddle!