Originally published Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
Surfing that gets you on your feet in no time
The sport of stand-up paddle surfing has grown in the past decade. Regular surfing, where surfers have their bellies on the board, paddle with their arms and then stand to catch waves, is limited to ocean waves. Stand-up paddlers like to catch waves, but they also can paddle on flat water.
The Olympian
TACOMA — Megan Adams eyed a 12-foot-long surfboard and a long canoe-style paddle. She watched other stand-up paddle surfers easing over the glassy water just off Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park.
Standing up on a big surfboard and paddling it around looked a little scary — and irresistible. "It looks so fun — kinda like a free-spirit kind of thing," said Adams, 14.
Ken Campbell, of Tacoma-based Backpacker's Supply, helped Adams pick out a board, a paddle and a life jacket.
After a 10-minute introduction, Adams was on her feet and paddling toward the tip of Point Defiance.
Another person, said Campbell, had probably fallen under the spell of stand-up paddle surfing, which is booming in popularity.
Born in Hawaii
Stand-up paddle surfing — like regular surfing — was born in Hawaii. Boys teaching Waikiki Beach tourists how to surf would stand on their longboards and use outrigger canoe paddles to propel the board and catch waves.
The sport has grown in the past decade. Now, there are stand-up paddle-surfing contests and distance-paddling contests.
Regular surfing, where surfers have their bellies on the board, paddle with their arms and then stand to catch waves, is limited to ocean waves. Stand-up paddlers like to catch waves, but they also can paddle on flat water.
Campbell started stand-up paddling about a year ago. He's since paddled all over Puget Sound and Western Washington.
"I grew up surfing in Southern California, and I've paddled kayaks for 25 years or so," he said. "I saw that this was a big hit in California and Hawaii, but I didn't see how it was relevant for Washington.
"But I tried it, and, of course, it is very relevant here."
![]()
It's easier to learn than conventional surfing since you stand on the wider, thicker, more stable board, and the long but light paddle helps with balance.
Traditional surfers must find the peak of an incoming swell — then paddle with their arms to hit the sweet spot at the right speed — to catch and ride a wave.
Stand-up advantage
Stand-up paddlers have an advantage, as they can catch smaller, junkier waves — and they don't need to hit the peak to get the ride.
The long, wide, stable board has a large lot of surface area to catch the wave, and the paddle makes it easy to power into it.
Standing also lets surfers see good swells earlier than surfers sitting on surfboards.
But prone surfers — who usually ride smaller, lighter, more nimble boards — find it easier to turn and maneuver on the wave.
Some conventional surfers, particularly in California, have clashed with stand-up paddlers.
Catching the wave
The ability to catch the wave earlier than prone surfers can cause resentment on crowded breaks.
A stand-up paddle board and paddle can cost $600 to $1,200. Some boards are designed for paddling on flat water. Others can handle flat water and the ocean surf.
But more people are learning they can handle a stand-up paddle board, and just one trip can turn them onto the sport.
Megan Adams was out on her borrowed paddle board for about an hour. "I like it!" she said as her first session ended.
Her second was about to begin.
"Can I go out again?" Megan said.
Campbell gave the OK, and Megan — stoked and paddling hard — set off over the water once again.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view
Share
NEW - 04:08 AM
Family had sought protection from man suspected of shooting deputies
How to find a room at the Winter Olympics
NEW - 03:11 AM
2 Seattle climbers survive icy Wenatchee River
UPDATE - 03:58 AM
2 officers shot in Pierce County; suspect killed

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
Brickwede corner cabinet - $550
Cardio Twister - As Seen on TV - $75
Christmas Ship Tickets on Argosy Cruise - Lead Shi - $65
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
events for Tuesday, Dec. 22
- A Mano Winter Sale
- Winter Progressive Sale at The Finerie
- Posh on Main Pre-Christmas Sale
- Winter Sale at Show Pony
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Steve Kelley | Holmgren: Decision wasn't about money, it was about responsibility
- Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death
- Garbage collector issues $50,000 challenge to 5 neighborhoods
- Prospect of McGinn win left state officials uneasy, e-mails show
- 2 officers shot in Pierce County; suspect killed
- Danny O'Neil | Don't blame Hasselbeck for Sunday's defeat
- Mariners Blog | Carlos Silva retrospective: 2008-2009
- Actress Brittany Murphy dies in LA at age 32
- Seahawks hit rock bottom in 24-7 loss to Buccaneers
- Actress Brittany Murphy dies of cardiac arrest at 32
- Health Care bill clears key Senate test
327 - Holmgren: Decision wasn't about money, it was about responsibility
223 - Carlos Silva retrospective: 2008-2009
198 - Senate Dems clear tough hurdle on health bill
167 - Don't blame Hasselbeck for Sunday's defeat
158 - 2 officers reportedly shot in Pierce County
139 - All-Decade Team, special teams
138 - Prospect of McGinn win left state officials uneasy, e-mails show
129 - Mike Holmgren reaches agreement to take job with Cleveland Browns
116 - Brandon Morrow to Florida for physical tomorrow: Brandon League could be filling Sean White's role in the Mariners bullpen
109
- Steve Kelley | Holmgren: Decision wasn't about money, it was about responsibility
- Driven to distraction, some teens unfriend Facebook
- Food-stamp use takes record jump in Washington
- Garbage collector issues $50,000 challenge to 5 neighborhoods
- First Jesus-era house discovered in Nazareth
- 2 officers shot in Pierce County; suspect killed
- The baritone who forgot his pants, and other crazy classical music stories of 2009
- The rocky wonder of Bryce Canyon National Park
- Taste | Chocolate walnut pie with bourbon offers warmth in winter
- Jones Soda considering $7.9 million sale to Big Red in Texas




