One of our all-time favorite ways to enjoy and explore with our guests is on a stand-up paddleboard or a SUP! To inspire you to enjoy our glorious Lowcountry with us even more, we wanted to share a few unknown facts about SUP that just might surprise you! 

• John Zapotocky is not only known as the father of modern-day SUP, but he was also the oldest SUP enthusiast and surfer in the world at the time of his death in 2013. He was 95 years old.
• The history of SUP is incredibly rich. For thousands of years, the sport has existed in multiple forms and for multiple reasons.
• SUP is not only a fun pastime to do here in the Lowcountry, it is a competitive sport! There are three different SUP disciplines; flatwater paddling, open water/ocean paddling, and SUP surfing. There is a SUP discipline best suited for everyone!
• SUP has brought surfing to more countries than ever before, many of which you wouldn’t consider surfing locations. Ever since the ISA (International Surfing Association) has included SUP, it has allowed them to develop its international body, including landlocked states and countries. Thanks to SUP, ISA’s total membership has 106 nations as members.
• Modern-day SUP began in Hawaii in the 1940’s when instructors would stand on their boards to get a better view of the waves and other surfers around them. At the time this was called “Beach Board Surfing.” In the 1990’s, SUP was being taught in Hawaii when there were no waves to surf on.
• The sport became very popular in California in the early 2000’s.
• SUP can even be dated back to biblical times. In the story of Moses, the Pharo’s Daughter Queen Bithia, stood up in her watercraft to see the child floating in the weeds.
• One of the oldest SUP dates back to Peru, almost 3000 years ago. Fishermen would stand on these watercraft made out of reeds. When they would return from fishing, they would stand on the watercraft and surf on top of them while steering them with their oars for fun or to show off.
• Did you know that SUP’s are built exactly the opposite from a kayak? They are built from the inside out. Fiberglass is wrapped around foam, and a textured mat is added on top to provide good footing. The larger the person, the longer the board you will need.
• While Duke Kahanamoku has been credited very famously for the creation of SUP, John Zapotocky Sr. was a genuine pioneer in the sport for 55 years.
• It’s hard to find a sport that anyone at any age can enjoy, SUP is the perfect sport for everyone.
• Until Rick Thomas brought the sport to California in the early 2000’s, SUP was primarily exclusive to Hawaii.
• Ever since 2009 SUP has become one of the fastest-growing sports in America.
• Today there are over 150,000 SUP enthusiasts in the US alone.
• The SUP officially became classified as a vessel similar to that of a canoe and kayak by the Coast Guard in 2008.
• A SUP can be used as a land lock sport too! Many canoe and kayak enthusiasts across the globe are turning to SUP as another option to enjoy their local rivers and lakes.
• Recreational and racing SUP was officially made a sport in 2009.
• You can enjoy one of the most dangerous places in the world on top of a SUP. There are SUP tours you can enjoy in Antarctica. You can SUP around icebergs and see all of its wildlife up close. The only downfall is that it can be extremely expensive to go on one of these excursions.
• Are you hooked on SUP? It does have a pro tour! Events and competitions have been going on across the world since 2010.
• The most prestigious paddleboard race out there is the M20, or the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Race. If you love SUP, this is a race you need to know about. It is one of the longest and most dangerous races across the Ka’iwi Channel. The race can take 4 to 7 hours to complete. Just completing the race is considered a huge achievement since it is so dangerous and strenuous.
• SUP is an incredibly low impact workout for the whole body. It can be beneficial to those recovering from injuries, too. SUP helps strengthen joints, muscles, and recover from your injuries while still being able to work out.