The Hawaiian sport of Stand Up Paddle Surfing is the fastest growing segment in surfing. Standing up and paddling into surf is exciting and no doubt one of the most popular and attractive elements of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. However there many other aspects to this ancient sport that are just as appealing in our modern times.
Surfing. Modern surfers cannot deny that there is a certain style 
of this sport that they like. Whether It is the Stand Up Paddle Surfing power that is displayed as a Stand Up Paddle Surfer moves into the wave or the style and grace in a cut back as the paddle is used as an extension of expression. The Stand Up Paddle Surfer can enjoy the total range of waves that are given. From the 1-2 foots summer days to the overhead winter mornings. And part of the fun is getting there.
Open Water.
When we say open water we mean anything but the surf. 
This could be; offshore, down the coastline of your local breaks, open ocean as you’re paddling to outer islands, or rivers and lakes. Wherever there is a large body of water you can participate in the sport of Stand Up Paddle Surf. All you need is a Stand Up Paddle Surfboard, a paddle and an imagination.
For the ocean going there are a few different styles you can charge. Offshore paddling is when you cruise up and down the coastline or make a course out to sea. You could be paddling to get in a workout, making buoy runs, hunting for surf, or paddling a channel from one piece of land to another. A Downwind Run is when you paddle with the prevailing winds and end up downwind of where you started.
The Workout.
The workout you get as you Stand Up Paddle Surf is unreal. Stand Up Paddle Surfing is a great cross training sport. Probably the best core workout ever. A tremendous low-impact aerobic exercise. It will increase you endurance levels and give you more power. If you are looking to better your current surfing skills this would definitely increase your balance. With the right sports nutrition and healthy eating habits you will see amazing fat burning results.
The Competition.
As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer there are opportunities to compete. Some surf competitions offer a division to Stand Up Paddle Surfers and some Outrigger and Paddleboard events have open or unlimited classes to compete in. As for the races there are usually a couple of different distances to race in. There are also long distance destination paddles such as the Molokai to O’ahu Paddleboard race or the Catalina Challenge to name a couple, both over 30 miles.
The Recreation. As for the other bodies of waters in the world such
as harbors, coves, rivers and lakes Stand Up Paddle Surfing is an amazing way to explore and experience nature. You can paddle through the water gracefully without disturbing much of the underwater world. What you see from the Stand Up Paddle Surfer’s view point verses a canoe or kayak is a world of difference. You can see deeper into the water and with polarized lens it’s even more amazing what you see.
