What’s SUP?
SUP is short from Stand Up Paddling. It is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. The sport is an ancient form of surfing, and reemerged as a way for surfing instructors to manage their large groups of students, as standing on the board gave them a higher viewpoint.There are hints that the ancient pacific islanders already used boards to ride waves and move on the water. According to that SUP was an early conjunction of the traditional Polynesian disciplines canoeing and surfing. With the invention of lightweight shortboards into the surfing scene, SUP felt a bit into oblivion but has recently been rediscovered and now is the fastest growing watersports since the 80s windsurf boom.
People of every age and ability can learn to Stand-Up Paddle on any kind of water surface. Only condition: Being a good swimmer, in case you fall in. The eco-friendly new popular sport offers a perfect, holistic workout which is easy on the joints. In order to move the board, the whole body has to be under tension so it is a strong ‘core’ workout. But it’s not just the core, the legs are needed to balance the board and the arms do the paddling. So it is a very effective total body workout, which will change your body for the better within weeks. Plus, discovering stunning scenery from a SUP is much more fun than being on the treadmill…
First Steps
Lessons on St. John, USVI
I had been paddling for about half a year when I met Annabel Anderson, the world’s fastest female paddler. She showed me the right technique and I have been hooked on SUP ever since. I have passed on this technique to many beginners, who are having a great time and start to even beat me in races. I am sad when I see people helplessly drifting around, having the wrong paddle length, holding the paddle backwards and doing a stroke that is not efficient and bad for the body. I would love to teach you what I learned from Annabel, to make sure you have fun and are safe on the water!”
Is Paddleboarding difficult?
Not at all. SUP is so much easier than sports like tennis or skiing which can take weeks or months to learn. After a 2 hour lesson with us, 95% of all paddlers can safely paddle without falling off and are good to go and explore the St. John waters on there own, without getting into trouble even if it is windy. While the entry is easy, there is no limit, experienced paddlers have paddled from UK to Netherlands, from Puerto Rico to the US, from Ibiza to Spain or Spain to Africa.
Prices for SUP Lessons on St. John
- 1-2 hours private lesson including board and carbon paddle rental: 75$ (one person) 2 or more 65$ (per person)
- half hour trial lesson including board and carbon paddle rental: 30$
- half hour lesson and half hour paddling by yourself: 50$
Boards
Prices for Rental
Day
- 65$ / day inflatable SUP (Fanatic 12’ Touring or 12’6” inflatable race board) or Allround SUP (Fanatic Fly 10’0, 11’0 or 11’6)
- 65$ / day Kids SUP / SUP Surf Board (Fanatic 8’10” Pro Wave)
- 75$ / day Carbon Race Board (Fanatic Falcon 12’6” or 14’)
Week
- 220$ / week for any Board. If you do a weekly rental, we throw in a free lesson.
Guided Tours/SUP Charter
- Want to go on downwinder or crossing or attempt a circumnavigation?
- Want to paddle on Jost van Dyke or Virgin Gorda? Book a SUP Charter trip with www.rockhoppin.com
- With a weekly paddleboard rental you get a 10% discount on the powerboat charter with Rockhoppin’ Charters!
Reviews
- Did you like paddling with us, share your experience on tripadvisor or read what others have to say here.
- You can also leave a comment below!