Successfully taking your stand up paddle board through the chop and out to the lineup is by no means a one trick skill. The reality is, making your way past the shorebreak and through a channel filled with waves requires a bag of tricks that you can use on demand almost without thinking about it. One such technique that you can add to your skill set is what we refer to as stand up paddle duck dives. 

A duck dive on a traditional surfboard is when a surfer pushes the nose of the board under the whitewater of an oncoming wave then pops up on the back side for the wave. Watch any traditional surfing video and you'll see it happening left and right. For a stand up paddle board, the volume of the board makes this technique impossible. However, the same principles can be applied to get you through a towering wall of water executing what we refer to as "stand up paddle duck dives". 

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The pure stoke and core workout of stand up paddle surfing continues to unite the worldwide surfing and fitness community. In this article we've decided to bring you a review of stand up paddle surfing from its humble beginnings to its current place as one of the greatest movements in surfing history. We are sure you will enjoy it!

The Scene: Picture a perfect sunny morning with azure blue skies, a glassy horizon, and breaking surf. You paddle out early to beat the crowds and are the only one in the water. Just as you reach the lineup you turn toward the horizon to see a magnificent wave roll in as if it were waiting for you to get in the water. Each passing wave, big or small, ridden or not, is a thrill in the heart and mind of the avid stand up paddle surfer. Certitude, cordiality in the water, and surfing with elan is what the sport of stand up paddle surfing is all about...

The History: Surfing has challenged the limits of every waterman's strength and skill. An age-old sport, the Hawaiians were among the first to have been spotted playing amongst the waves on their long surfboards. While the spirit of surfing has remained the same, variations have been introduced by a progressive group of surfers. Paddle surfing, also known as beach boy surfing, has a history of enthralling people with its noble rhythm and grace. The sport found its beginnings with the Beach Boys of the 1960s who would paddle their long surfboards out into the ocean to take pictures of tourists. Over time, other surfers noticed and experimented with stand up paddle surfing as a way of training and fine-tuning their skills. With this history, paddle surfing has its infamous legends. John Zabotocky, also known as the oldest beach boy surfer in the world, is a source of inspiration to many who have embraced the sport. Since the 1940s he has been found stand up paddle surfing along the shores of Hawaii.

The Evolution: The evolution of longboard, shortboard, and paddleboard designs has culminated in the development of today's SUP surfboards. As we review history, the traditional surf board designs of 50/50 rails and single fin setups had evolved into smaller, lighter, and faster surfboards. Now, with the materials available today, and new composite construction techniques, shapers are pushing the existing limits of weight, strength, and shape of SUP surfboards thus leading to a higher level of performance amongst SUP surfers.

The Stoke: Paddle surfing is not just about braving the waves. Stand up paddle surfing on calm water is an enriching experience as it affords you a brilliant angle of visibility of life both above and below the water. However, when the surf is up, the paddle surfer gauges the waves from the beach, slides the board into the water, and carefully manages to shore break before taking the road less traveled to surf a break away from the crowds. With grace, assurance, and respect for all other surfers in the water, each wave is turned into an epic ride.

The Fitness: SUP surfing is a superior core workout on both flat water and amongst the waves. It is an ideal sport for crosstraining as it builds core strength and balance.

The Equipment: SUP surfboards are generally engineered to be slightly longer and thicker than average longboards. However as of the writing of this article, cutting edge stand up paddle surfers are ripping on 9 foot boards with pulled in noses, constantly paving the way to the future of the sport. Paddle makers have also responded to the demand for SUP surfing gear by producing specially designed paddles for stand up paddle surfing.

The Future: As a rapidly growing phenomenon across the world, paddle surfing has captivated countless enthusiasts. Perhaps it's the grace and harmonious combination of skill and thrill that attracts us to SUP surfing. Stand up paddles surfing has enthralled surfers for over 60 years now. It's only a matter of time before beaches worldwide are lined up with boards and paddles of every size, shape and color.

Until next time; paddle....surf....smile!

Cocoa Beach, FL -- It's almost a cross between kayaking and surfing and it's a great way to enjoy nature's finest handiwork.

Summer in Florida, lots of sun, gentle breezes, and calm waters. It is perfect for the new craze to hit our local waters. Stand-up paddling or SUP is taking off.

Despite the tough economy SUP's are floating out of surf shops.

Scotty B, owner of Maui B's says "We have sold a lot more boards we probably doubled our sales since last year which is big and teenagers come in and they want to rent the boards. We have a big delivery coming in for 2010 and we expect a lot more people to be getting into this new water sport.

Scotty B is also an instructor with Maui B's  Stand Up paddle boards and says "I think the reason why its caught on so well is that anyone can do it and walking on water is something that really appeals to people, you know standing and propelling yourself across the ocean."

Scotty lived in Hawaii before he decided to bring the sport to Florida in which he has been a pioneer in places like Orlando, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach and New Smyrna Beach. He teaches people of all ages the art of Stand Up Paddle Board Surfing.

"The sport is exciting cause you don’t have to hook up to anything all you need is a paddle and a board and you're off in the water and then everybody looks at you and says wow, that’s cool! What’s that?"

Stand Up Paddle boarding is relatively simple and there’s not a whole lot of equipment to deal with either. You got this 10 to 12 foot surfboard and this paddle…both range from 1000-1500dollars to get you started. But you could always rent them for about 75 dollars a day and then you got what you need have paddle will travel.

"Its not a very expensive sport compared to jet skiing or boating you know. It's a nice way to get out on the water for economical way." says Scotty.

Plus, it's a great way to get in shape!

"You're just in the natural elements and you don’t realize you’re getting a core workout and that’s the beauty…Its great to know you’re getting a workout and don’t really know (laughing)"

It can be done alone, or in groups.

"Its a real good way to get a family out on the water. It's one of the few sports that from the grandmother all the way to the granddaughter can do it."

For information on SUP sales and accessories, or rentals in Orlando, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach or New Smyrna Beach contact Scotty B at Maui B's 1-800-671-9905.