About SUP

Stand up paddle surfing (SUP), or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he’e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. The sport is an ancient form of surfing, and re-emerged as a way for surfing instructors to manage their large groups of students, as standing on the board gave them a higher viewpoint, increasing visibility of what was going on around them – such as incoming swell. To begin with, this started with using a one-bladed paddle, whilst standing on a normal length surfboard. The popularity of the modern sport of SUP has its origination in the Hawaiian Islands. In the early 1960s, the Beach Boys of Waikiki would stand on their long boards, and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. This is where the term “Beach Boy Surfing”, another name for Stand Up Paddle Surfing, originates.

The sport benefits all  with a strong ‘core’ workout. SUP’ing is gaining in popularity around the world and Gauteng!! celebrities are sampling the sport, and cross-over athletes are training with SUP.
Surfers have converted because of the versatility of the new sport. Stand up paddle boarding offers surfers the ability to catch more waves in a set, as well as offering a better view of incoming sets.

SUP board prices range from R6 000 to R10 000, and most use glass-reinforced plastic construction using epoxy resin that is compatible with the expanded polystyrene foam used in the core. The boards are generally longer than 9 feet (3 m), and up to 12 feet (4 m) or more in length, with features such as padded decks and concave hulls; they generally have one or three surfboard-style fins in the stern for tracking.

Choosing your board

       1. A longer board generally glides better due to its increased water-line length.
       2. A wider board generally provides more balance.
       3. A shorter board generally turns better.

Board features

       • All Starboards have a PVC reinforcements around all inserts.
       • All Starboards are laminated with strong light epoxy resin.
       • All Starboards are using fusion blown EPS.
       • All Starboards have integrated carry handles for easy transport
       • All EVA deck boards have square-groove traction in the standing area.
       • Most AST Silver boards have deck track for windsurfing.
       • Most AST Silver boards under 10’0” have footstrap inserts for windsurfing.

*Special Whopper Windsurf edition and K-15 have TT middle box for Windsurfing.

WARNING: Boards larger than 10’5” are not constructed for big surf. Several of the models are functional for windsurfing and wave riding!