Stand Up Paddle Activities

A booming sliding sport, the stand up paddle is a mix between surfing and kayaking. It consists of moving on the water in an upright position on a board, which is set in motion by a paddle. This nautical activity has been a great success in Europe for the past ten years... and we can understand why! Very accessible, this sport sometimes allows relaxing strolls according to the current, sometimes to experience the thrills in the raging waves. For a family outing or a more sporting session with friends, the stand up paddle is one of the most popular nature activities today. Discover everything you need to know about this innovative sport that allows you to (almost) walk on water.

History of the event

Popular recently, the stand up paddle has its roots centuries ago. It all started in Polynesia. Polynesian kings used to travel at sea standing on large wooden planks carved from tree trunks. They would use a large wooden oar to navigate and explore the surroundings and trade. In the 1940s, the legendary Hawaiian surf champion Duke Kahanamoku (also a swimming champion) revived the stand up paddle and exported it all over the world. About 20 years later, the beach boys began using this famous board on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. The standing position allows them to have better visibility, intervene more quickly and improve the safety of swimmers. It was not until the 2000s that the stand-up paddle became more popular, thanks in particular to surfing champions Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama, who taught their students about it and organized several races and crossings.  Since 2008-2009, stand-up has become an essential water sport in Europe.

The different practices

Very close to surfing, stand-up paddle is practiced in different ways:

• hiking or "cruising": this involves strolling in stand-up paddle on calm waters, over more or less long distances. It is an ideal activity to do with family or friends on a lake, river or calm sea. Fun and friendly, cruising also helps to maintain your physical condition.
• "surfing": for experienced surfers only, stand up paddle is also practiced in the waves. However, you must have a very good level of stand up paddle on a flat surface and know how to row perfectly on your board to be able to go surfing. The boards used for stand up paddle surfing are larger and heavier than conventional surfboards.
• The "race": these are stand up paddle races organised over long distances and practised on the high seas or near the coast. The participants compete over several tens of kilometres, which requires a high level of training and very high endurance. Many races are organized each year in several parts of the world, the most famous of which is the Molokai-O'Ahu in Hawaii.
• white water: lovers of thrills can also practice stand-up paddle on the white waters of rivers. This sport is of course reserved for experienced stand-up paddlers and requires an inflatable board. Several levels of route exist depending on the flow of the river and the obstacles encountered.

Public

The stand-up paddle has the advantage of being accessible to everyone and especially to children. From the age of 2 or 3 years, children naturally attracted to water are able to stand on the board and move easily with the paddle. Of course, very young children will have to practice stand-up paddle on very shallow waters and under the close supervision of their parents. However, to be comfortable and able to fully enjoy the experience, children should already be able to swim and not be afraid to put their heads underwater. Familiarity with the aquatic environment and the pleasure of being immersed are essential prerequisites for stand-up paddle practice. The idea of a possible fall should not create apprehension.

Before the age of 5, it is preferable to do stand-up paddle in tandem, the child and the adult together on the board.  The minimum age required to participate in group classes and outings is 8 to 9 years old but there are also stand-up paddle classes for children from 6 years old in some clubs.

The stand-up paddle "promenade" is therefore suitable for adults and children alike, provided they are comfortable in the water and can swim.

To switch to surfing, race or white water, it is necessary to be experienced and already perfectly master the stand-up paddle on calm waters. These dangerous sports are only for adults.

Equipment and security

The practice of stand-up paddle is not done without adequate equipment. You will of course need a board and a paddle. There are different board and paddle sizes for different ages and sizes. You will also have the choice between a rigid or inflatable board. Depending on your budget, the frequency of use you plan to make of it, the conditions of transport, you will have to choose one or the other. The stand-up paddle is of course more easily transportable, less expensive and less sensitive to shocks. The rigid version is more expensive but offers better performance.

For whitewater practice, it is the gliding board that will be necessary anyway.

On the safety side, the lifejacket is of course essential if you are walking in deep water. It is also necessary, especially when surfing, to attach your board to your ankle with a leash. This is to avoid losing the stand-up paddle in case of a fall.

Regarding the suit, it must be adapted to the climatic conditions and water temperature. It is important to always protect yourself from the sun, even if the air is cold and the weather cloudy because the strong reverberation of solar rays on the surface of the water is not always felt. Long-sleeved wetsuit or t-shirt, sunglasses and sunscreen are therefore required. In cold water, an impermeable thermal suit will be required.

Where and when to have an Up Paddle stand?

The stand-up paddle can be practiced all year round, even if the hot season is of course the most pleasant for outings with family or friends. The ideal period is between April and September and allows you to enjoy comfortable weather conditions.

Some enthusiasts do not hesitate to walk through the bodies of water standing on their stand-up paddle during the coldest months of the year, equipped with a waterproof thermal suit and specific accessories to withstand the cold.

Among the best spots to practice stand-up paddle in France are the clear waters of Tignes-le-lac in Savoie, the highest nautical base in Europe surrounded by extraordinary landscapes. In the Hautes-Alpes, the Serre-Ponçon lake is also one of the most popular places for enthusiasts and where beginners are accompanied. Let us also mention Etretat in Normandy where the "Etretat paddle beach", the Bay of the Somme is organised every year for nature lovers, Bandol or the Calanques de Cassis.

Price of a trip in SUP

The average price of a stand-up paddle discovery hike is 30 to 40 € per person for half a day. The price includes the loan of the equipment and supervision by a professional guide and instructor. In free rental, the rental of the equipment costs about 15 to 20 € per person for 1 to 2 hours.

3 good reasons to make SUP

There is so much reason to make stand-up paddle that it is difficult to list them all! Here are the three main ones:

• to enjoy an unforgettable moment with your family: a trip to the SUP is a golden opportunity to have a memorable day with your children.
• to discover the landscapes from a different point of view: we are used to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes that surround us from the ground, but from the surface of the water the experience is quite different.
• to experience an adventure: practicing stand up paddle during a holiday with friends allows you to have fun, strengthen ties and experience unique moments. In whitewater or in "surfing" mode for the more experienced, it is an opportunity to test your skills and enjoy thrills.

SUP is a fast-growing sport that is very popular all over the world. Most French water sports centres offer courses and walks for beginners. Feel free to test this activity during your holiday, we assure you that you will not be disappointed!