USA SUP Announces 2026 National Championship Location
Last year’s USA SUP Nationals was an absolute hoot! I had so much fun there, and was excited to see that the stage has been set for 2026. The 2026 USA SUP Nationals Championship Races will be held during the Narrows Challenge race at Gig Harbor, WA (near Seattle) September 18-20, 2026!
There will be a NEW INFLATABLE SUP CATEGORY with EQUAL PRIZE MONEY!!!!!
4 Cold Water SUP Safety Tips for Winter Paddleboarding
Until the water becomes solid there’s no such thing as bad weather for SUP – just the wrong clothing! But that clothing choice (among other choices) can be the difference between a fun paddle session or a fatality. Here are 4 key SUP Safety tips to Stand Up Paddleboarding as the temperatures drop.
Paddling Meta – Pitfalls of Learning and Teaching
The big takeaway for students is to closely evaluate the advice and instruction you are receiving. Ask why something is done a certain way. If the answer is “because that’s how we do it,” or especially if it is “because that’s how XYZ does it,” then you need to take that advice with a pound of salt and look into what is really going on.
Simple SUP Buying Guide to Help Choose Your First Board
Maybe you’ve tried SUP a few times with friends or while on vacation, or maybe you are looking for a brand new adventure on the water. Either way, one of the first things you’ll need to do is get a paddleboard! Choosing your first SUP can be daunting. This SUP buying guide breaks the process down into four easy steps.
SUP Safety – Understanding Your Environment and the Weather
Stand Up Paddleboarding is incredibly fun, but a simple afternoon on the water can turn into a life-threatening situation in minutes. Staying alert to your environment is a key element in SUP Safety to make sure your three-hour tour gets home on time. (cue the Gilligan’s Island theme song)
Why You Need to Take a SUP Lesson
You should take a SUP lesson. Why is that? Because learning from an actual SUP Instructor is the quickest, most effectively way to get started paddling, learn more advanced techniques, and hone your paddle strokes for safe, effective paddling no matter your skill level.
The Planing Hull vs Displacement Hull SUP Mythos
There are a lot of different ideas about boat design for different purposes, and SUP is fully mired in it. One thing that gets confusing is Planing and Displacement Hull SUPs – mostly because it is not really a “thing” when it comes to SUP.
Which is better – a Hard vs Inflatable SUP?
This has got to be the largest debate amongst social media SUP communities. Is there an answer to the question of which is better – a hard vs inflatable SUP? Yes – but it’s not universal! Buckle up, this is going to be a long one.