Stand Up Paddle Minnesota

Source: http://www.standuppaddleminnesota.net/

Stand up paddling is a rapidly growing sport that combines surfing with rowing and provides great exercise along with a great time. Commonly known by its initials, SUP has come to Minnesota. Long time boarder Bruce Wahlstrom has opened Stand Up Paddle Minnesota as part of their long standing business called For Your Shore. Bruce will be bringing the sport that started in Hawaii to Minnesota – the land of 10,000 lakes. If you pay a visit to his website at http://www.StandUpPaddleMinnesota.net, you can see a collection of videos that will introduce you to stand up paddling.

Stand up paddling is related to surfing, in the same way that longboard skateboarding is related to half-pipe skating. It is a great sport and provides great exercise, but at a little bit slower pace than the sport you may have enjoyed when you were younger. While the idea of a surfboard shop on a lake doesn’t make much sense, lakes are perfect for stand up paddling. So SUP Minnesota is a perfect fit.

Hulakai is one of the best known board brands in the world, and Hulakai paddle boards are among the very best. Stand Up Paddle Minnesota includes Hulakai boards in their full line of SUP equipment. They stock a full line of paddle boards with a great selection of colors and sizes. In addition to new boards they also stock gently used, pre-owned paddle boards as well. Their website at StandUpPaddleMinnesota.net shows the variety of boards they have in stock.

Bruce Wahlstrom has been in stand up paddling for years, and he would love to share his expert knowledge with you. He leads a staff that know they are the ambassadors of this growing sport and they want to get you the best start possible in stand up paddling. Many people find that with just one lesson, they can get up on a board and start cruising around comfortably. With rental boards and beginner lessons available, Stand Up Paddle Minnesota is the perfect place to get you started with a great, new and exciting fitness craze.

Stand up paddling is a sport that definitely gives you a great work out. When you picture yourself standing on a surfboard and holding your balance while you paddle yourself across the water, you can see this is truly a head to toe workout. So SUP is both a great pastime and is excellent for your core body fitness. Fitness trainers estimate a SUP boarder burns 40% more calories than someone on a treadmill or stairclimber. Some people have reported as much as 40 pounds of weight loss in as little as three months. Once you buy a board from Stand Up Paddle Minnesota, or online at StandUpPaddleMinnesota.net , and take it to the lake three times a week, you can be in amazing shape by the end of the summer.

Another great thing about paddling a SUP board on the lakes on Minnesota is you are going to have a chance to relax with beautiful scenery. You may be used to cruising around on a noisy powerboat, but instead this would be a really peaceful and relaxing experience. As a bonus, if you get too hot, you can just slip into the water.

Bruce Wahlstrom is bringing SUP to Minnesota through StandUpPaddleMinnesota.net. There you can learn about the hottest new sport on the water. They have a wide variety of new and used boards, including Hulakai paddle boards, and a staff that can help you find the best one. This is a sport that most people find easy to learn that provides fantastic cardio fitness with a core body workout. You can get this workout while relaxing on a beautiful Minnesota waterway. So go to http://www.StandUpPaddleMinnesota.net today to learn more.

Stand Up Paddle Board or SUP was made popular by the legendary surfer, Laird Hamilton and some of his Maui surfer friends. From the moment he was seen using this unconventional surfing board, surfers from all over the world started using it too. Yes, surfing and riding the waves has always been a favorite pastime in Hawaii but since SUP was introduced, it has become a “specialized” or a “niche” form of surfing.

Now, if you are in Minnesota and are considering giving this sport a try, then there are 2 options to give it a go….

1. Rent a board. Shops like “For Your Shore” (http://www.ForYourShore.com) in New Hope offers a selection of rental boards in the Twin Cities metro area including hot boarding spots such as Lake Minnetonka or the ever popular Calhoun or Lake Of The Isles.

2. If you are looking to purchase a SUP board, there are many options within Minnesota. One local spot is the board shop found within The Weeders Digest (http://www.WeedersDigest.com). Don’t let the name fool you; sure, its main focus is all about managing lake weeds but the founder, Bruce Wahlstrom has spent his life on paddle boards long before it was the trendy thing to do.

So, once you have decided its time to buy your own board, make certain that you choose carefully. Just like in traditional surfing, your stand up paddle board is your ever reliable partner whether you intend to take on a nearby lake or ride the huge waves out at sea so choose a stand up paddle board that is right for you. Here are 3 things that you must consider.

• First, how you will use the board.
• Second, what is your level of skill or your ability in the sport.
• Third, what is your body weight.

Let us discuss them one by one.

Most stand up paddle boards are made by either a surfboard manufacturer or a sailboard manufacturer. The type of SUP that you should purchase depends on where you will use it. If you intend to paddle flat water, this usually requires a slightly bigger board than those who intend to ride the waves. Of course, smaller, surf specific boards are better to be used with big waves, however, this requires advanced SUP skills because they tend to be finicky. If you are a beginner, just keep in mind that you need an SUP that is big enough to keep the rider afloat while in flat water without waves.

Size is also a big consideration when it comes to choosing a stand up paddle board. The safest board length to choose is 11 to 12 feet because it can float a wide range of rider weight. It can lift those with a small frame (even kids) all the way up to a full grown 220 pound man. Usually, smaller riders choose a smaller board too. The usual Stand Up Paddle Board length is 10.5 feet and 4 inches thick. Interestingly, this board size also works great for riders with advanced skill. If you want a multipurpose SUP board while you are still learning, go for the bigger ones initially.

Did you know that the rocker and fin set up of your SUP board greatly affects its performance? For instance, those that curve upward from nose to tail turns well when the tide is high and the waves are rolling. It is however not ideal if you will be paddling in slow and flat waters. SUP boards that are flatter glide well in still water but takes a lot of effort to turn when the waves are rolling. So choose your board rock and fin depending on where you intend to go paddling in the first place.

For more information, we recommend that you visit http://www.StandUpPaddleMinnesota.net to get more tools tips tricks and videos on choosing your first board.