5 Reasons SUP is Great for Your Kids!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding, or SUP boarding, is a great workout and a lot of fun. But you already know that since you’ve been doing it a while. So why aren’t your kids paddle boarding? It doesn’t take much to learn how – come on, you learned how – so why not let them get in on the fun, too? Here are 5 great reasons why you should bring them along next time you SUP board.

1. It’s a healthy outdoor activity. So much is being said these days about how kids aren’t getting outside enough and they spend too much time on the computer, glued to their phones or sitting in front of a television. Well? If you are going to spend some quality time in the great outdoors enjoying nature, then why not take them along and make them leave their tech at home? They will learn to appreciate nature, time away from all those tech gadgets, and also get a bit of exercise.  It’s not too difficult to teach your kids how to stand up paddle board, but you can also invest in some SUP lessons, so they get the hang of it sooner. Just make sure they are wearing a leash and lifejacket any time they are on the water.
2. It’s a social activity. ​Because this can be done with friends, it’s also a very social activity. You get together and stand up paddle board with your friends as well, right? So have your friends bring their kids and all the kids will have people to talk to their own ages and they can all splash around in the water, have races, and learn how to Stand Up Paddle Board at the same time. All of those activities like watching TV and sitting at the computer are definitely not social and the only place kids really do get to be social is at school and let’s face it, that’s kind of forced. So, if you get them together to do something fun, they might actually see the benefit in being social once in a while. This can be a lifelong lesson.
3. It’s great exercise. You can train your body to learn better balance and coordination, plus you will become stronger and have more endurance the longer you practice your SUP boarding skills, so encourage your kids to keep going at their SUP boarding, especially if they are showing even the slightest inkling of interest in it. It really is good for their bodies and their minds. Building up muscles the proper way will ensure that they keep better posture even when they aren’t on the board as well. 
4. It’s just fun. Who wouldn’t want to do something that was fun? Playing in the lake or calm river is always fun but when you get to stand on top of it and paddle your way around, taking in the views of nature? And then, when you become more advanced, SUP boarding the waves of the ocean? The taste of the salt water and getting beaten by those waves as you ride them is the best feeling in the world – knowing you can dominate nature in some small way. There are so many ways you can SUP board so find a way that you enjoy it best and go for it!
5. ​It’s a great family activity. If you’re looking for a way to get the family together, then this may just be it. Forget sitting around the dining room table after dinner to play Scrabble. Get out and do something. Have some fun! Plus, get some exercise and work off that picnic meal you brought with you to have at the park before you launched your boards into the lake. It’s important for a family to spend time together and there’s no better place to spend it than on the water. If the family dog likes the water and can handle standing or sitting steady on a SUP for short periods of time, then by all means, bring him or her along for the adventure. I’m sure they will enjoy getting out for a bit of outdoor fun as well.  

Oh, and one last thing… Be sure to take lots of pictures when you bring your kids, and possibly the family dog too, along for a SUP board adventure because you’re going to be making memories you’ll want to remember for a long time. (Just make sure it’s a waterproof camera!). There’s no reason why the kids can’t come along to SUP board with you and when you take them once, you will want to bring them along for each and every trip after. They will be begging to come with you so you won’t be able to leave the house without them!


Blog Author: David from Stand Up Paddle Boards Review

Start on your knees and stand up-kids make it look so easy! California law requires kids 13yrs. and younger to wear a life jacket!