Surfing with a paddle: as they say, history and interesting facts

Recently, more and more popularity is gaining surfing with the paddle. As the name of this sport is known, so far few. But his fans have more than enough.

What is sapsurfing?

Sapsurfing is a water sport, much also known as surfing with an oar. What is the name of this entertainment, you now know, it's time to sort out the details.

In this water sport the surfer stands on the board, moving on the water with the help of an oar. The boards for sapsurfing almost do not differ from the boards for classic surfing. They are just a bit wider and longer. Due to this, it is much easier to keep the athlete in balance.

Regular competitions are held on sapsurfing. As a rule, athletes overcome long distances, they are organized on the sea coasts, rivers and large lakes. In sapsurfing a special paddle is used - its length is about two meters, and the diameter varies from 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters.

History of sapsurfing

In Hawaii, surfing with an oar was born. As this version of the water sport is called, at that time it was not thought about. It was first described by Europeans in 1778. By that time, the aborigines had already regularly set out on the sea on wooden boards, using oars for rowing. True, it was not a sport, such outlets were used for practical purposes.

In the 60's, with oars on the boards went out to sea to photograph the training and competition of classical surfers.

Only at the beginning of the XXI century, as a separate sport began to develop surfing with a paddle. As the new entertainment is called, they decided quickly. In a literal translation, sapsurfing means "race on the board standing".

The first professional athletes in this discipline were Dave Kalama and Laird Hamilton. It was they who in 2003 organized the first competition for sapsurfing in Hawaii. Surfing with an oar, whose history is associated with these islands in the Pacific, quickly began to gain popularity.

Already in 2005 a professional federation was established in the USA. The spread of this sport began in all corners of the globe.

Beginning Sappersferers

Unlike classic surfing, do not need big waves to master sup-surfing. What, where and how to do in the first stages, we will explain in detail in this article.

You can start sapsuffing in a quiet sea bay, a river backwater and even on the surface of a lake. At first you will have to master the calm movement on the water surface standing on the board, and with the paddle in your hand. To learn more or less tolerably to stand on the board can already be during the first few days of classes. Therefore, this sport is so popular.

The instructor will help you to master the new sport faster and more qualitatively. Can not doubt, soon your favorite sport will be surfing with a paddle. Competitions, equipment and other features of sapsurfing will help you to master an experienced coach. But with a certain amount of persistence and desire, you can achieve everything yourself.

Where to start skating?

For the first sessions of sapsurfing, a quiet river or lake is best suited. Do not swing at high and dangerous waves in the first days of classes. Be sure to bring a life jacket with you.

To go on your first voyage, put the board on the water, lie on it and sail a little from the shore. Then gently kneel down. As soon as you feel confident, get up. Now the main thing is to keep the balance.

Stand up, put your hands on the front of the board. After slowly go up first to the right, and then to the left leg. For the first time, climb exactly to the middle of the board. When you get used to and feel the strength to keep your balance on the water, you can start moving.

Racks on the board

Now that you know what sup-surfing is (sap-surfing - in Russian writing), it's time to figure out the technique of movement on the board. There are three main varieties.

The first is the most universal. Ahead is the right leg. The second - with the left foot in front and, finally, the stand, when both legs are on the same level.

Postures can be changed so as not to get tired of standing in one position. After taking a pose, raise the oar up (before that it should lie on the board itself) and try to start rowing. In this case, your hands should be bent at the elbows at a right angle. Experienced sapserfers recommend periodically changing the position and position of the hands. For example, you can row from different directions. So it will be easier for you to move around.

Remember the simple rule: the simplest path is straight. So do not make unnecessary turns.

Development of sapsurfing in Russia

Sup-surfing is a universal water entertainment and sport. It has already become popular in our country. After all, in order to begin to engage in this sport, it is not necessary to go to Mecca of all surfers - to Hawaii. This is long and expensive, so not everyone is available. For practicing sapsurfing well suited and Russian reservoirs.

On domestic water bodies this kind of sports has received the greatest distribution in Krasnodar territory and on water areas of the Leningrad region. It is here that most fans of this sport live. Rent a board for sapsurfing here is no problem.

One of the most popular rental locations is located not far from St. Petersburg, on the shore of Lake Lakhta. Here you can rent all necessary equipment and then go and try it out.

It is in the northern capital that the largest domestic competitions take place in this sport. The first of them, for example, took place already in 2011. Only 6 years after the appearance of the official federation. The most massive contest among the sapsurfers for several years is the "Autumn Marathon" cup, which takes place in the water areas near the city of Vyborg.

Advantages of sapsurfing

Compared with classic surfing, sapsurfing has a number of obvious advantages. The first and most basic is that enough small waves are enough for the sapsurfers. With the help of the paddle, they can change the direction of movement and control the speed of the board.

In addition, sapsurfing will provide a load on all muscle groups of your body. This is an excellent training for both women and men. An excellent and fun way to keep yourself in good physical shape.

Sapsurfing is great for competitions. On the board the athlete is able to develop high speed, due to this, to overcome decent distances. Therefore, you can compete even race.

Sapsurfing is not only a popular sport, but also an excellent occasion to observe the surrounding nature. Standing on the board, you can enjoy the scenery around, and low speed will allow you to carefully consider everything. To see fish and birds in their natural habitat.

Surfing with a paddle is suitable even for beginners, at any age and level of physical fitness.

Cost of equipment for sapsurfing

It is necessary to recognize, that employment or occupation of sapsurfingom will manage to you nedeshevo. The simplest boards are inflatable shells of American manufacture. Their cost is about 500 dollars.

Professional racing boards, which have a narrow form, which increases speed, are much more expensive. Not less than 1 200 dollars. A novice athlete can purchase optimal shells for sapsurfing for about 800 dollars. This is the optimal ratio of price and quality.

If you order equipment not in the US, but in Europe, then note that European boards for sapsurfing are more expensive. But you can save a lot on delivery. Therefore, perhaps, you will be in the black.