You've probably heard it many times:paddle surfing, SUP, paddleboarding—they all refer to the same thing, stand-up paddleboarding, which in Spanish is "remar de pie" (paddling while standing). If you like calm sports, or aren't very familiar with water sports and want to start with something easy, this is the activity for you.
Rent your paddle surfboard in Santa Cristina (A Coruña)
Paddle surfing (or stand-up paddleboarding)is a water sport that involves standing on a board and propelling yourself forward with a paddle. What makes it special is that you do it standing up, which is where it differs from other sports. Maintaining your balance is not only fun, but also very beneficial for your body and mind if done correctly. It is very accessible and easy for anyone to learn.
There are different variations of this sport, each requiring a different type of board. The main ones are:
Cross-country skiing has become very popular in recent years due to its ease and accessibility, as it can be practiced in all types of aquatic environments: seas, rivers, bays, and also reservoirs where it is authorized.
Paddle surfing, or SUP (stand up paddle), originated in Polynesia, where it was practiced by the natives in ancient times. The earliest references we have to this sport come from Hawaii, where surf instructors used it to get a higher perspective of their group of students, take photos of them, and warn them when the biggest waves were coming. Around the year 2000, great windsurfers and surfers such as Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama began to practice it as a sport in itself, going out to catch big waves with their boardsand also training with their paddles on days without waves.
Paddle surfing is a very complete sport because the exercise is performed on an unstable surface, whichrequires our muscular system to constantly work on proprioception to maintain balance. In addition, it does not have the drawbacks of other more aggressive sports because there is no impact on our joints and tendons.
In summary,paddle surfing is an activity that both your mind and body will appreciate, as long as it is done correctly. Therefore, if you want to practice paddle surfing, it is advisable to learn with an instructor who can teach you the most basic steps and monitor your progress.
SUP touringis accessible to anyone regardless of their physical condition.If you choose more technical disciplines such as surfing or racing, it is preferable to be accustomed to a certain level of training. We have high-volume boards suitable for beginners, making it very easy to maintain your balance.
It can be practiced by everyone from very young children to older people. In fact, some boards have enough space and stability to carry an adult and a child. At our school, we organize many surf camps for children, where they can discover the benefits of the sport in a fun and safe way.
We also teach children aged 9 and above, using kites adapted to their weight and size.
We have students of all ages in our kitesurfing courses in Galicia.
In just a few hours, you'll be completely independentand able to enjoy long rides on your board. It's best to learn in calm waters without waves. The board should be the right size (volume) for your weight so that you can maintain stability more easily.At our school, we have boards that are suitable for beginners, helping you feel stable when you first try this sport.
SUP is a very safe sport, but like any activity practiced at sea, you must take the appropriate precautions.Your instructor will provide you with the necessary knowledge so that you can go out with your board safely, and will highlight the following aspects.
It is not mandatory but it is advisable to have insurance that covers any accidents, both for the surfer themselves and for third parties.
At Mareasurf, we can manage your SUP insurance, which also covers many other sports. In addition to the risks of the sport itself, these insurance policies cover any incidents you may have during your travels. We are distributors of Intermundial insurance. You can check all the coverage and prices at the following links. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
