WaSUP World?

When you read the articles online about Thailand’s surf season, you might get depressed as you learn that the country only gets swell for part of the year. This year however the waves have continued to roll in bring joy to all surfers and the surf schools milking the last of whatever waves they can find before packing away the surfboards till next year.

The fun doesn’t end though for those who understand that even though the waves may die off for a while, their beloved playground, the ocean is till there and turns it’s self into a mecca for flat water board activities such as Stand Up Paddling (SUP), foiling & kite surfing.

Yep that’s right, it’s time to dust off those SUP boards. I went for my first SUP of the season this week and it felt gooooood! With the flat tranquil ocean, clear turquoise water and stillness in the air, it was a relaxing afternoon and a reminder that it’s going to be an epic sunny season.

Since the global dilemma & cease of international tourism, the Andaman sea and water ways of Thailand have become pristine again with a huge number of sea life returning to the headland reefs, bays & beaches. So, even though the waves are disappearing, wipe away those tears and treat yourself to a paddle.

With a positive response from last year’s SUP family race, event organisers are in motion for even more fun, spirited events.

Talay Surf on Bangtao beach has set up the “outdoor gym”, which entails using the SUP for fitness as well as social interaction. They run weekly social paddles & tours with monthly memberships also available, which allows you to use the boards everyday without the hassle of transport, storage or maintenance.

Many surfers see SUP as a non-interesting activity as it’s not as adrenalin pumping as surfing but SUPing on a regular basis is a proven way to keep surf fit during the flat months.

It’s really up to your imagination what you can use SUP for.

A group of local kids took a board out with a fishing hand spear recently, and came back with some fish and a decent-sized squid. They were even kind enough to invite me to cook it up with them!

The new popular craze of Wing Foiling is using SUP’s to learn how to use the wing as the SUP board creates a stable platform.

If you know of any more creative uses for the SUP be sure to write them in the comments.

Happy SUPing!