Difference between paddle surfing and SUP: do they really mean the same thing?

Paddle surf, Stand Up Paddle, SUP, paddle surf... There are several terms used in the field of paddle surfing to identify this sport, although not all mean the same thing. In this post we will not talk so much about paddle surf boards and accessories, but we will help you discover the difference between paddle surf and SUP, while knowing the origins of these concepts and their meaning.

What is paddle surfing?

Paddle surfing is a water sport that is practiced on a board with characteristics similar to those of surfboards, in which the goal is to paddle standing up using a paddle or paddle. Its growing popularity in recent years has made it one of the most popular activities practiced on beaches and rivers around the world.

The history of paddle surfing began in the 1940s on the beaches of Hawaii, although its origin is much older. Over the years, it has evolved into a sport that even has its own competitions and championships.

This sport has become popular as a recreational activity due to its great adaptability, since it is suitable for both children and adults. It is also easy to learn and practice, and provides important benefits as a physical activity, since it allows working a great variety of muscles and maintaining a healthy condition.

In addition, paddle surfing is an accessible sport in which all you need is a paddle board and a paddle to enjoy routes and waves. In HUIIKE we help you choose the best paddle surf board and, if you want to learn how to paddle surf, we have also prepared a complete guide for you to discover all the tricks of the sport.

What does SUP stand for?

The acronym SUP refers to 'Stand Up Paddle', an English term that means "stand up paddle". As you may know, paddle surfing is a sport that is practiced with a paddle and whose objective is navigation standing up, although it is not necessarily mandatory to adopt this position.

This is one of the reasons why paddle surfing is so popular. You can practice it standing, kneeling or even sitting. It all depends on what you feel like at any given moment. And with the HUIIKE Full Pack you can also turn your board into a kayak by including all the necessary accessories, enhancing the experience on every outing.

Therefore, the term SUP refers to the action of paddling standing up and, although it does not specifically mention paddle surfing, it is a concept linked to this aquatic activity that, on many occasions, is used as another synonym. In other words, Stand Up Paddle is a reflection of the essence of this sport, which consists of standing on a board and paddling to move around.

Do paddle surf and SUP mean the same thing?

We already know what paddle surfing is and what the acronym SUP means. At this point, we can say that both terms mean the same thing, but with nuances. In the case of the concept Stand Up Paddle or, simply, SUP, is a term often used to name paddle surfing, although it actually refers to the fact of paddling standing up and not to the sport.

Meanwhile, paddle surfing or stand up paddling is the water activity itself. Under this term encompasses everything related to this sport, to which SUP refers to the fact of paddling standing up. Although in Spanish-speaking countries the acronym SUP is not so commonly used, it is a much more common term in English-speaking cultures or those with a strong English influence.

Therefore, we can say that paddle surf and SUP are used synonymously to identify this sport. However, each term encompasses its own concept, so although they are related, they have different meanings.

Origin of each term

The origin of the terms paddle surf and SUP can be traced to the beaches of Hawaii. It was on the coasts of the Pacific islands where both concepts were coined and the place where this sport became popular, among the surfers who came to learn and practice the art of surfing the waves.

Waikiki Beach in Hawaii is considered the epicenter of paddle surfing worldwide. It emerged in the 1940s and reached its popularity in the 1960s, when instructors made use of paddle surfboards to move through the water, getting a better perspective of the students and spotting the entrance of waves on the beach.

Paddle surfing was first called Beach Boys Surfing, although it ended up being called Stand Up Paddle Surfing or SUP.

The origin of the term Stand Up Paddle is different, since it comes from the Hawaiian concept 'Ku Hoe He'e Nalu', which means "to stand up, paddle and surf a wave". This term perfectly identifies what it means to paddle surf, hence SUP can be considered and is accepted today as a synonym.

What is the difference between a paddle surf board and a SUP board?

Since there is no tangible difference between paddle surfing and SUP, there is no difference in the boards either. In fact, there is no such thing as a paddle surf board and a SUP board. Both terms are used to identify the same type of paddle board, with no difference in size, shape or use. Therefore, we can say that there is no difference between a paddle surf board and a SUP board.

These are the main characteristics of an inflatable paddle surf board:

• They are usually between 3.0 and 3.3 meters high, and range in width from 80 cm to 86 cm.
• The boards have a weight of about 10 kg. They are also capable of supporting a weight ranging from 100 kg to 160 kg.
• Paddle boards should be inflated to between 12 and 15 PSI to ensure performance and buoyancy.
• The paddle surf paddles are adjustable in height and have a concave and inclined blade that guarantees maximum effectiveness in each paddle.
• Inflatable paddle surfboards should be sweetened after each use. Sweetening refers to the process of cleaning the paddle surfboard to remove salt and moisture.
• Three removable fins are included to increase the stability of the board, an accessory specially designed to improve performance.
• The use of the 'leash' or invention is recommended to avoid being adrift if you fall off the board. It adjusts to your ankle by means of a Velcro closure system.

Discover this and other curiosities about paddle surfing on our blog and social networks.

Life is a journey to be experienced!