5 reasons to practice inflatable Stand Up Paddle

Stand-Up Paddle consists of rowing standing up on a large, wide board with a paddle. For us, it is the most accessible water sport, which allows you to combine physical activity and escape. The ocean is our playground and we want to share our passion for SUP with you. That’s why we’re talking about the 5 good reasons to practice inflatable Stand Up Paddle. Are you already convinced and want to progress? We share with you our tips for starting and progressing in stand up paddle.

Good reasons to practice inflatable paddle boarding

Reason 1: Sport accessible to all

Stand-Up Paddle is a discipline that anyone can do To try! Whatever your age, your size, your physical condition, you will have no trouble getting started with the practice. You just need to know how to swim. Having a bit of balance is also important, but it can be tamed very quickly. It is far from being a dangerous sport, if you practice on a flat and calm body of water. And if you do the right thing, you won’t risk injury and traumatization of your joints (unlike other water sports). Perfect if you want to do a series of sessions without the risk of being sore the next day!

In addition, there are paddle boards for all budgets. At SROKA, we offer inflatable SUPs from 430 euros. In order to democratize the practice and so that everyone finds something to their liking, you will find among our ranges, the paddle that suits your practice: walking, touring, running, paddle-surfing… but also the type of body of water you want to sail on: lake, river, sea… All these aspects will help you choose between an All Around or Touring SUP. The latter provides more gliding, with less effort to be made, and allows you to cover more distance. Just like having enoughlength. In general, we recommend opting for a fairly long board, at least 11′, for rides. Find in our article “Choosing your inflatable paddle board”, our detailed advice to guide you towards the ideal board.

Reason 2: A Way to Get Away and Go on an Adventure

The SUP will allow you to discover new horizons, or to rediscover spots and the land seen from the water. Departing from sometimes overcrowded beaches, paddle and get away from the shore: you can explore quiet places, away from the hustle and bustle. Perfect if you want to recharge your batteries in nature, while taking care of your shape.

It’s also a way to explore unknown spots, whether you’re on vacation or close to home. As you walk along the shore, it is very likely that you will discover small caves, or coves, that are not accessible on foot.

A SUP ride, beyond discovering exceptional landscapes , allows you to break from everyday life, to be in your bubble, far from the worries of life, and simply to enjoy the silence of nature on the water.

Are you thinking of venturing beyond the 300m limit? You can still use it as a small dinghy from your boat!

Reason 3: A practice that is beneficial for physical and mental fitness

Paddling upright on your SUP board allows you to maintain your shape, work your muscles while having fun. Even at a slow pace, standing paddling strains your breath and builds up your endurance. So it’s very interesting if you want to improve your cardio. It’s up to you to vary the level of intensity according to your desires!

This is a very complete discipline for your physical condition, which is also excellent for your proprioception. Staying upright while pushing the water with your paddle involves the muscles of the legs, arms, back, abs… The legs will work on proprioception and your stability. Your abs will be constantly sheathed and your arms, shoulders and back will be solicited to give strength in your movements and to move you forward. Be aware, however, that thepower of the paddling gesture certainly passes through the arms, but it is transmitted through the legs to make the board slide.

The different muscles used when paddle boarding:

And the big advantage is that you work without showing any real “effort”, without realizing it!

Like any water sport, SUP has a mental dimension. Indeed, it is necessary to analyze the body of water, the water movements (generated by the wind, the waves, the currents, the boats in the vicinity…). As a result, Stand-Up-Paddle will develop your sea legs, and will make it easier for you to learn other water activities.

Mentally, it’s the perfect sport to get away from it all and recharge your batteries. When you go out, you are in the moment and enjoy a real a breath of fresh air. Don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a moment of relaxation on your board, by practicing paddle-yoga or simply by treating yourself to a meditation session. All of this can only be beneficial for your mental health, stress management (and it’s scientifically proven!).

Reason 4: A fun and relaxing activity to share with the family

As we said, paddle boarding is a practice that allows you to get away from it all. This sport is so accessible that it allows you to share good times with your family. DFrom an early age, your children will be able to accompany you on your outings.

With a SUP board, you can easily ride around with your kids sitting in the front. This way, they will be able to have fun looking at the bottom of the water, while participating in the ride. Moreover, it is possible that your children will soon want to row themselves, or dive into the water from the paddle. The inflatable is ideal for children, as it is much less risky to hurt yourself in the event of a fall, than on a rigid one. On the other hand, the inflatable is much less afraid of shocks, especially the paddle strokes that can happen when you are just starting out.

If you want to row with several people on a single board, the XL and XXL SUPs will allow you to take everyone on board, for a fun and friendly moment.

The SUP will allow you to get away from the crowds on the beach, and share an exclusive moment with your family, in the middle of nature. Let yourself glide across the water and let your loved ones discover hidden nooks and crannies, only accessible to paddlers. And if you feel the need to rest, you can take a little nap by lying down on your board and letting yourself be rocked by the current (flat of course!).

Reason 5: Easy-to-carry equipment

Inflatable boards have the advantage of being much less bulky than rigid boards. Indeed, the latter often ask to install roof racks to transport them by car, to spend some time strapping them up, taking the risk of having the board stolen when parking…

While an inflatable board can be stored in a backpack, which makes it easy to store at home, and take it everywhere ! Please note that all SROKA SUPs are sold with their own carrying bag. You will be able to travel with your paddle without worrying about damaging it.

SROKA models are designed to withstand impacts, as robust and durable as possible. Indeed, we have reinforced them at the level of the rails, to avoid any sealing problem, or related to impact and friction. We use several layers of high-end PVC (used for professional semi-rigid boats) to benefit from maximum waterproofing.

Are you thinking of venturing beyond the 300m limit? You can still use it as a small dinghy from your boat!