Hi I'm new to the forum. I'm a 61 year old guy that lives half the year in Oregon and half in Maui. I'm a longtime windsurfer and relatively new surfer (started doing it as therapy when I tore my rotator cuffs playing rollerblade hockey). Last year I started doing a new (and very old) sport called Standup Paddle Surfing (SUP) which I've found to be a really amazing workout. I've become really addicted to the sport, partly because you can do it anywhere--you don't need surf, you can have fun and a good workout in a lake.
My concern is that the workout I'm getting probably isn't very well balanced, but I don't want to spend time in the gym doing the wrong things.
What I can tell so far is that my shoulders and back have become pretty massive, my biceps haven't done much (I don't think) but my abs are starting to show even though I'm pretty fat in the gut. My thighs seem to be maintaining or gaining size (I used to have huge ones when I skated and biked constantly). I often paddle for six hours or more, especially if the surf is good or I decide to do a long downwinder (SUP term for being dropped off twenty or so miles upwind on a coast and making your way down, surfing breaks as you go).
I've seen old prone surfers with humped backs and skinny little chicken legs--i don't want to look like that. I think SUP is a lot better all-around exercise, but I'd feel better about my overall routine if i was adding some compensating and balancing exercise.
I feel as good as I've ever felt, and I've charged hard all my life, this SUP is a kick-ass exercise, but I want to take best advantage of it. I think other SUP surfers would be interested in the information I gain. I'm eventually going to write an article about this in the SUP e-magazine I created:
Ke Nalu and of course I'll credit any source I get useful information from. Thanks in advance.
Ponobill
SUP e-magazine:
Ke Nalu
Blog about living and playing in Maui:
Pono House
How do I balance standup paddle surfing with an exercise program
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