If you love water sports, feel comfortable in water, or you’re just looking for a new hobby, you must consider stand up paddle boarding. It has slowly but surely become one of the most popular water activities among people of all ages. It’s not quite as hard and complicated as it may look at first glance, and there are a surprising number of health benefits to stand up paddle boarding. Here are five reasons why it should be your new hobby.
Easy To Learn
You may have a little trepidation at first about learning how to paddle board standing up, but the truth is that it’s far easier to learn than other types of water sports. Once you master how to stand up on the board, you’re more or less good to go. With a little instruction and a dash of patience, most people are able to get on their feet without a problem. It’s definitely not going to take so long that you become frustrated with the process and want to quit. Plus, taking a few falls into the water while trying to stand up isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Massive Amounts of Fun
Once you have mastered standing up, the real fun can begin. If you just want to coast on a peaceful lake that has no waves, you can certainly do that. However, you can also take your stand up paddle board onto the ocean and battle some crashing waves if you want to get your blood pumping. If you don’t live near the ocean, you can take your paddle board to a nearby river and let the current take you away. No matter what your idea of fun is, a stand up paddle board can help you out.
Good Exercise Substitute
For the most part, stand up paddle boarding is a low-impact activity, but you do exercise quite a few muscle groups with each and every stroke, which can make it a great form of cross training. It’s been shown to improve cardiovascular health and help build endurance. Frequent paddle boarders may also find themselves losing a few pounds, as it can be a fun way to burn calories without having to go to the gym.
The Scenery
If you thought the view from the shore was good, it’s nothing compared to the view from your paddle board. Whether you’re out on the ocean, coasting down a river, or in the middle of a lake, the scenery around your paddle board is bound to be amazing. You’ll see things from a new perspective and bring yourself just a little closer to nature. Many people who go stand up paddle boarding just to float around see it as a peaceful experience that can actually help to reduce stress.
Perfect for Yoga
If you really want to achieve peace and serenity on your paddle board, try doing yoga on it. Yes, this sounds hard to pull off, but once you get accustomed to your board, your balance will improve and it’ll actually become the perfect place for yoga. Think about it: you’re out in the sunshine at one with nature, and aside from a few birds chirping, you have plenty of peace and quiet. Sounds nice, does’t it? It’s just one of the many potential benefits of stand up paddle boarding.