Image courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA Editor at Flickr.com
What do you get when you join a paddle and an oversized surfboard? Only one of the most fun and easy to ride water vehicles. Paddle boarding. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy South Florida’s usually calm water. Practically anyone can do it, from young children to grandparents. It’s healthy, exciting, funny, and great exercise. By the way, the oversized surfboard is really called a paddle board. Here are five things you can do on a paddle board.
1. Stand up paddle boarding
The reason the paddle board exists. While the concept itself is not new, the sport is relatively young. There has been much evidence to suggest that native tribes who were close to water used to get around in their canoes while they stood up to paddle. Nowadays, it has gained popularity as an outdoor sport. Why? Because it’s easy for beginners and for fitness buffs alike. All you need is a paddle board, a paddle, and a little balance and you’re all set. SUP as stand up paddle boarding is also called, can burn more than 500 calories in one hour of exercise depending on the intensity a person puts into it. It’s common to see people standing on a paddle board as they cruise along many of South Florida’s canals, lakes, and ocean as a different way to work out. It’s a fun and easy way to get rid of those extra New Year’s pounds you might still be holding on to.
2. Yoga.
Yoga on a paddle board? That’s something definitely worth trying. The slow moving water below you will force you to use more muscles to keep that most important balance you learned on land. Adho Mukha Svanasana gets a little more complicated when you’re moving up and down slowly. Or what about meditating and breathing exercises while the water soothes you. And don’t forget about the landscapes. Although yoga studios are beautiful places they will never match up to the splendor that is Mother Nature. Another one of the benefits you ask? Focus. Anyone who has ever done yoga knows how important it is to focus on breathing in order to hold positions and find balance. That small possibility of getting wet will make sure you pay a lot more attention to your breathing and balance so that you don’t tilt over to one side.
3. SUP pilates.
How can you make pilates more challenging than it already is? How’s about taking it to the water? Like in yoga, balance and focus are extremely important in Pilates. Since movements in pilates are in every direction, those who practice it must be aware of using the right amount of strength to move in one way and then counter move at the right moment. Unless falling into the water is something they want. Furthermore, SUP Pilates people are directing both mental and physical strength towards the right muscles in order to maximize the effects of a certain exercise. No one wants to fall in the water. And if they do, the little extra weight will do wonders for final results. Finally, SUP Pilates is a great way to actually use an exercise in a real life situation. Studio exercises are often simulations of a certain activity. Not with this type. Pilates exercises are practiced in a real situation so people will see the immediate impact and how it can help them.
1. Stand up paddle boarding
The reason the paddle board exists. While the concept itself is not new, the sport is relatively young. There has been much evidence to suggest that native tribes who were close to water used to get around in their canoes while they stood up to paddle. Nowadays, it has gained popularity as an outdoor sport. Why? Because it’s easy for beginners and for fitness buffs alike. All you need is a paddle board, a paddle, and a little balance and you’re all set. SUP as stand up paddle boarding is also called, can burn more than 500 calories in one hour of exercise depending on the intensity a person puts into it. It’s common to see people standing on a paddle board as they cruise along many of South Florida’s canals, lakes, and ocean as a different way to work out. It’s a fun and easy way to get rid of those extra New Year’s pounds you might still be holding on to.
2. Yoga.
Yoga on a paddle board? That’s something definitely worth trying. The slow moving water below you will force you to use more muscles to keep that most important balance you learned on land. Adho Mukha Svanasana gets a little more complicated when you’re moving up and down slowly. Or what about meditating and breathing exercises while the water soothes you. And don’t forget about the landscapes. Although yoga studios are beautiful places they will never match up to the splendor that is Mother Nature. Another one of the benefits you ask? Focus. Anyone who has ever done yoga knows how important it is to focus on breathing in order to hold positions and find balance. That small possibility of getting wet will make sure you pay a lot more attention to your breathing and balance so that you don’t tilt over to one side.
3. SUP pilates.
How can you make pilates more challenging than it already is? How’s about taking it to the water? Like in yoga, balance and focus are extremely important in Pilates. Since movements in pilates are in every direction, those who practice it must be aware of using the right amount of strength to move in one way and then counter move at the right moment. Unless falling into the water is something they want. Furthermore, SUP Pilates people are directing both mental and physical strength towards the right muscles in order to maximize the effects of a certain exercise. No one wants to fall in the water. And if they do, the little extra weight will do wonders for final results. Finally, SUP Pilates is a great way to actually use an exercise in a real life situation. Studio exercises are often simulations of a certain activity. Not with this type. Pilates exercises are practiced in a real situation so people will see the immediate impact and how it can help them.
Image courtesy of Paul Domenick at Flickr.com
4. SUP surfing.
Surfing is hard. No nice way to say it. Stand up paddle board surfing? Not so much and it’s a great way to learn the basics of riding a wave and staying on it. One of surfing’s biggest downsides is that you need a good sized wave to get any movement going. With paddleboards you can ride anything from small half-foot waves to those gnarly 15 footers. So any ocean in the world offers an opportunity to hang ten.
5. SUP fishing.
Fishing on a paddle boards add a dimension to the sport that many people wouldn’t associate it with. Fun. Many people turn down going fishing because they don’t see how it can be entertaining. SUP fishing makes it fun, there’s no doubt about it. Try hooking a bass and maintain balance while reeling it in and see if it’s boring. Another reason why fishing this way is great is that it gives experienced and rookie fishermen a larger viewing angle than if they were sitting down. Stealth is one thing regular fishing boats don’t offer. Paddle boards make it possible to move around the water without disturbing the peace. Paddle board fishing could eventually take over traditional fishing.
There’s a reason paddle boarding is gaining so much popularity. For one, it offers people who don’t normally like doing exercise a fun, easy and yet challenging way to do it. Secondly, if you’re looking to relax doing a little yoga on the water will surely get it done. And if you’re looking for a full body workout that is more challenging than what you normally do in the gym, paddle boarding is where you need to be looking. Finally, it brings a new look to an old and usually not entertaining sport. What are you waiting for? Hop on and glide through the water.
Surfing is hard. No nice way to say it. Stand up paddle board surfing? Not so much and it’s a great way to learn the basics of riding a wave and staying on it. One of surfing’s biggest downsides is that you need a good sized wave to get any movement going. With paddleboards you can ride anything from small half-foot waves to those gnarly 15 footers. So any ocean in the world offers an opportunity to hang ten.
5. SUP fishing.
Fishing on a paddle boards add a dimension to the sport that many people wouldn’t associate it with. Fun. Many people turn down going fishing because they don’t see how it can be entertaining. SUP fishing makes it fun, there’s no doubt about it. Try hooking a bass and maintain balance while reeling it in and see if it’s boring. Another reason why fishing this way is great is that it gives experienced and rookie fishermen a larger viewing angle than if they were sitting down. Stealth is one thing regular fishing boats don’t offer. Paddle boards make it possible to move around the water without disturbing the peace. Paddle board fishing could eventually take over traditional fishing.
There’s a reason paddle boarding is gaining so much popularity. For one, it offers people who don’t normally like doing exercise a fun, easy and yet challenging way to do it. Secondly, if you’re looking to relax doing a little yoga on the water will surely get it done. And if you’re looking for a full body workout that is more challenging than what you normally do in the gym, paddle boarding is where you need to be looking. Finally, it brings a new look to an old and usually not entertaining sport. What are you waiting for? Hop on and glide through the water.