Stand up paddle boarding – or “SUPing” – has been increasing in popularity in Alamitos Bay. Originating in ancient Hawaii, the sport was brought into the mainstream once again by big wave surfer Laird Hamilton. Soon after, Lance Armstrong was raving about the cardiovascular and muscle toning benefits followed by tabloid shots of Hollywood stars learning in Waikiki. Since then, SUPers have been spotted throughout the bay, cruising along for some exercise.
By standing with feet parallel to the board, the paddler then uses a specially designed paddle to glide through the water. It can be rather tough at first, especially with any water chop or boat wakes, but falling is half the fun!
Recent exercise and rehabilitation research in the last 5-10 years has touted the benefits of two things above all else: core stability and proprioception. Stand up paddling works on both of these facets of exercise. Anatomist and bodyworker, Thomas Myers, in his book “Anatomy Trains” recently mapped out the core’s function in a sling-like pattern.
Where we once thought core work was most beneficial in just a forward plane of motion (aka cruches and situps) we now know that challenging the core by swinging, pulling, or pushing across the body is most useful. This is the exact motion that SUPing employs and one of the reasons it’s so useful for core work.
Proprioception is a word to describe the body’s ability to balance itself and adapt to body positioning, especially at the ankle, knee, hip and low back. After an injury, rehabilitation is often prescribed using balance boards to increase healing. These balance boards work by stimulating small nerve sensors within the joints and muscle to increase their reaction time, thereby increasing balance.
SUPing works wonders on proprioception too! By adapting to constant changes in water texture and paddling at the same time, you are definitely stimulating some proprioception.
Getting started in the bay is the perfect place, and as of this summer there should be rental options at Mother’s beach as well as Bayshore beach and Huntington Harbor. Water temperatures can be a little cold at this time of year but a wetsuit top should do the trick. For more info search stand up paddling on YouTube and you’ll come across some informative videos.
There’s tons to see, you can even stop in for some shopping at Marina Pacifica on your SUP
The view from above can help you spot sea life