What is Paddleboarding?

You’re enjoying a day at the beach, soaking in the sun with the water rushing in and back out over your toes. It’s the perfect day in West Palm Beach. As you look out at the water, you notice in the distance two people standing on what looks like surfboards, but they don’t come in to shore.

You wonder what in the world they’re doing, so you ask a friend nearby, “Hey are they surfing?”

“No, they’re paddleboarding,” your friend responds—as if that term should be well known to you, so you don’t pursue it further. Instead, you sit and watch and wonder, “What IS paddleboarding?”

First, know that you’re not alone in wondering what paddleboarding is or how it works. We at Beach Water Sports get regular questions about this watersport because it’s fairly new in comparison to more well-known water activities like surfing, kayaking, or jet skiing.

Paddleboarding is best described as a hybrid between surfing and kayaking. You stand on a paddleboard (also called a SUP, or stand up paddleboard) that looks similar to a surfboard but is bigger. You steady your feet on the board, and then you propel yourself through the water with a specialized paddle.

Many people enjoy paddleboarding because it’s a relatively easy watersport. Plus, you can enjoy cruising along the shoreline, taking in the sights, and just enjoying the sand, sun, and water. Paddleboarding also provides fitness benefits, especially for your core and upper body.

If you’ve never tried paddleboarding, get an SUP rental from Beach Water Sports and try it out! We’ll make sure you have the gear you need. SUP rentals are available for various time periods and rates. Contact our staff at Beach Water Sports today either at 561-745-6900 (Jupiter, FL) or 772-225-2000 (Stuart, FL). Our paddleboard rental specialists can help answer any lingering questions you might have and get you out on a SUP.

photo credit: IMG_7242 via photopin (license)