As many of you already know, Jaco is filled with surfers and champion surfers from around the world. So it is normal for most people to see surfers standing up on their boards. But the look on peoples faces when they see a person standing up on a surf board while holding a boat oar or Paddle ranges from “what is that person doing?” to “WOW!” Officially known as Stand up Paddle boards aka SUP or SUPS.
Stand up paddle surfing is the most ancient form of surfing or the original form dating back hundreds of years to the south pacific, according to surf historians. But it was not until recently has the sport taken on new levels in competition. What is great about this type of surfing is that it has greater reach to both genders and age groups. The ease of standing up, maintaining balance, and the greater mobility is the key to this attraction.
SUP surfing can take place in all wave conditions which makes this type of surfing more flexible when choosing to participate and there is plenty of good surf near Jaco for SUP. Traditionally, most surfers live and breath by the change in tides or swells but not so for SUP surfers, they can surf in most conditions.
Recently, more people are taking to SUP surfing as a means of learning how to deal with currents and water fears. In years past, this would not have been easy since the board itself would have inhibited many people from simply carrying it to the beach. But with modern designs and the new space age
expoxies, the new SUP boards are light(er) and better designs aid in water manueverability. It seems that the SUP surfing has arrived in Jaco and I wager it is here to stay. Jaco being the mecca of surfing, has tempted vacationers for years to try and learn the sport. With SUP surfing, more and more vacationers will have the opportunity to enjoy what board surfers have felt for years, adrenaline and pure fun.
Everyone in surfing has read that Laird Hamilton rode into the Peahi (Jaws) using a Stand Up Paddle board. But what he did for this type of surfing was giving credibility to these surfers. Furthermore, in the chic and hip world of surfing his foray into Jaws gave permission other big name surfers to try out the boards and its methods.
One thing I am not looking forward to is getting hit by one of these mammoth boards, so I hope Chuck from WOW Surf Shop in Jaco will instruct his SUP renters well. That was not a plug but an earnest wish plus he has the only place in Jaco where you can rent one of these babies. Don’t forget Jaco and Playa Hermosa is hosting the World Surfing Games Costa Rica this year, sponsored by Billabong surf clothing.
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