First practised in Hawaii, Stand-Up Paddleboarding has grown to become a most popular water-sport across the globe, and more so, in the UAE. Paddleboarding is practised as a hobby in Dubai with the sport proving to be good for fitness and peace of mind for people of all age groups.

Unlike surfing, stand up paddle activities do not depend on waves; this implies that the sport can be practised on open water bodies rather than just the coast. To practise SUP in Dubai, you might only need a board, a paddle and some sense of balance.

What is Stand-up paddle boarding?

Stand-up paddle boarding is a fascinating sport that originated from Hawaii as an off-shoot of surfing. Unlike traditional methods of surfing where the rider waited for the waves to propel him, stand-up paddle boarders ride on their boards using paddles to propel themselves over the water. Stand-up paddle boarding allows boarders to paddle further into the water body than is typical of surfing.

Stand-up paddle gear and equipment

Boarders in the sport wear a variety of suits and other specialised clothing depending on the prevailing air temperatures, water environments, and atmospheric conditions. Below is a list of SUP gear that interested boarders may need:

SUP board

The main article of SUP gears is a board. The board that every rider acquires ought to be specific to the rider’s abilities, weight, financial might, and type of boarding. The boards should have components attached to them such as deck pad, fins, and handle.

SUP paddle

A SUP paddle is the next most essential gear that a rider may need. As in the board, every rider should acquire a paddle akin to his height, budget, and expertise. Plastic and aluminium paddles are cheaper alternatives to the lighter fibre shafts and blades.

Personal floatation devices

To learn and practise SUP in Dubai, one might need to wear floatation devices. In most countries, paddleboards are regarded as vessels and as such they must abide by laws indicating that surfers must have floatation devices on them. Nonetheless, this requirement only applies to boarding beyond the limits of swimming, bathing areas, and surfing.

Leash

Having a leash is imperative. Leashes help to avoid separation from your board in the event of strong waves hitting you. It is, however, just a matter of preference on whether to have one or not.