By Taylor Davis:
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While the bikini clad bodies cover the sands of Campus Point and Sands, a few brave souls venture out into the waves. They have balance that could match a gymnast’s, core muscles that any gym-frequenter would envy, and they ride the waves with more elegance than Kelly Slater. The brave, balance-coordinated people I speak of are paddle surfers.
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Paddle surfing is a sport that originated in Hawaii and was brought back to the mainland in the year 2000 by a Vietnam War veteran named Rick Thomas. Stand up paddle surfing, called Hoe he’e nalu in native Hawaiian, first originated as a way for surfing instructors to supervise their large groups of surfers while they were learning the art. The sport was first introduced to California, but has since then traveled to most safe beaches and popular surfing spots around the globe. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Paddle surfing not only offers the participating athlete a complete core workout, but also aids surfers in catching more waves per set and increased visibility due to a high vantage point. While achieving complete symmetrical balance, surfers must use one-sided paddles in order to push themselves through the breaking waves and into the waiting zone to catch swells. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Stand-up Paddle surfboards are very similar to regular surfboards. They usually are around the same length and width as a longboard, with fins on the bottom for easy steering and stability. They also have foam padded tops, or decks, which are caved in to create a standing platform for the rider.          Â
The sport of paddle surfing is spreading rapidly, with many regulars riding the Santa Barbara waves daily. The best local spots for paddle surfing are Sands Beach and just off of Campus Point. Paddle surfing is just as dangerous, if not more than regular surfing, because more loose objects can come back to hit you if you catch the wave wrong. Nevertheless, celebrities and regular citizens alike are trying it on for size, and few are disappointed.
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
Are you serious? SUP’s are a pathetic waste of both your time and everyone else’s patience in the water. Grace? Please, just go paddle to the channel islands and never return, and don’t advocate crowding the already packed lineup with SUP’s.