“This is the year I start really taking care of myself.” One gym subscription and two weeks of early rising later, old habits prove to die hard. We often find ourselves stuck with the question of why!? Why is the snooze button begging to be hit?
Honestly, we haven’t cracked the code either. But we may have a tid-bit of juicy knowledge that can help keep your fitness goals optimistic.
It turns out paddleboarding isn’t just responsible for recreational fun, but instead, is becoming the hottest trend in the fitness world, and for great reason. We’re dissecting some of the great benefits of your summer paddle romance and we think you just might join our fitness wave!
After big holiday dinners and what seems to be a never ending supply of baked goods, our waistbands tend to feel a little tighter than they did in 2021. We never say no to great food, and even better dessert, but that treadmill just isn’t inspiring us to jump for joy. Thankfully, our favorite hobby is actually a calorie CRUNCHER! Who knew?
SUP Connect averaged out riders varying in weight, gender, and paddling type to get you an idea of just how many calories you can burn with a smile on your face!
Let’s take a look at the different types of paddling fitness together.
Ah yes, the wobbly downward dog. Find yourself in the most serene yoga studio Canada has to offer.
Keeping yourself grounded when there’s no ground is quickly becoming Canada’s new favorite challenge. But don’t be shy! Yogis all around the country are offering paddleboard yoga classes to teach you the basics. You can thank yourself for strengthening your mind and your body, all while burning upwards of 540 calories in an hour!
If you’re paddling at a slow pace, taking in the sights, and enjoying the quiet moments in life, you’re still burning more calories than you may think. This casual pace will crush about double the amount of calories as your neighborhood walk. That’s approximately 304-430 calories an hour.
When the wind offers you some unexpected wavy conditions, you can bump that up an extra 100 calories burned every hour!
What does touring even mean? Think of it as the long distance running of the paddling world. Touring means you’re paddling at a consistent pace, over a long distance or period of time, without stopping to smell the flowers. But make sure to sneak in a selfie here and there!
An hour of touring is sure to get your heart pumping with a burn rate up to 708 calories per hour! That’s more cals burnt in an hour than biking, running, or surfing!
Want to push your limits? Paddleboard racers do exactly that. With a full body workout, and your cardiovascular system working on high, you can expect to burn up to 1,125 calories an hour!! Talk about extreme athletics!
Paddling does more than just get your heart rate up, and being on the water offers more than just a beautiful environment - get ready to kick it up a knotch
It may be unsurprising to hear that paddleboarding is great for the core. All that rotating, while balancing on an uneven surface will get your abdominal muscles fiery hot. The next morning as you’re rolling out of bed, you’ll find you’ve completed a killer back, shoulder, and arm workout. Get that warm bath ready!
Here’s something you may not have considered! As you’re countering the movements from the water moving underneath your board, a string of micro muscles in your feet, ankles, and calves are working overtime to keep you afloat! These stabilizer muscles are often forgotten in our regular fitness routines and are crucial in keeping you agile and strong! In fact, if you, or anyone you know has struggled through the painful experience of plantar fasciitis, you may already be familiar with some of the therapeutic activities suggested. You’d be right to notice the similarities to the movements you make on your board! Don’t let those little guys go untrained. Earn yourself some relief, and increase your injury resistance.
Ever Heard of a Runner’s High? Get ready to experience a paddler’s high.
Sick and tired of the impact Covid has had on your mental health? It comes at no surprise that our communities are feeling the strain of being disconnected and isolated from their neighbours. No, you’re not going crazy, it’s a real thing.
For many of us, working from home isn’t the fun all-day-pajama-party we thought it would be. In fact… it turns out we’re feeling a little less motivated, a little less comfortable, and a lot more stressed out than we were back in the “old days.”
You’re not alone, and it’s not a lost cause! Let’s talk about some of the awesome activities that just might be the thing you need to put the pep back in your step.
Dr Wallace Nichols recently coined the term, “blue mind,” and it’s a pretty uplifting concept. It turns out that falling into, being near, in, or on the water can cause us to slip into a “mildly meditative state.” Think of that “ahh” moment that we all long for after a long, stressful day. It’s easier to get your hands on it than you think.
It turns out that just listening to the sound of water can help slide you into that sweet relaxed trance - so take a few minutes, throw on that Spotify water playlist, and breathe, even if just for a minute or two. If you’re lucky, a walk down to your local waterway might be just the thing you need.
With your paddleboard, you get to kick it up a notch. Here’s why.
Detoxing from a system swimming in cortisol and burnout can feel overwhelming at the end of a long day. If you’re anything like us, we want to order in some comfort food, cancel that dinner date we had planned, and crawl into bed. But here’s what you could try instead:
Sources and more information!
https://www.supconnect.com/opinion/what-are-the-mental-health-benefits-of-sup
https://www.supconnect.com/tips/how-sup-can-help-you-deal-with-stress-and-anxiety
https://www.appworldtour.com/post/5-mental-health-benefits-of-stand-up-paddling
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Ever scour the gram to find yourself drooling over crystal clear waters? Is your Pinterest board plastered with what seem like dream getaways? Does it feel ever-too-far away while you're sitting at your desk? Here's the thing. It's not.
If your dream destination is a few too many hours away, don't worry. Inflatable products are built for versatility. Airports are no exception. The next time you find yourself booking that tropical trip away, or even a weekend commitment with your favorite pals, bring your board! Inflatables are travel friendly, airport easy, and an uber breeze. We love our local Canadian digs, but sometimes we venture across borders because… well… we can, and so can you! Send us the dream paddle paradise in your neighborhood. We'd love to stop by.
We spent a day at Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, you know the place. Insanely gorgeous, a little cold, totally serene. And it was easy. Grab your board, and give it a go - we'll help.
We packed the essentials. Snacks mostly. Bring your dirty shoes, they're going to stay that way. You want an iSUP bag with wheels, it's an absolute must. Any paddleboard from the United Board House comes fully equipped with high-endurance off trail wheels, but if your board sports a backpack bag only, we've got you covered! Grab a Voltsurf or POP iSUP bag capable of fitting up to 11'6" board! It also has room for extras. Hence... snacks.
Inflate your board wherever you hit the water. No electric pump necessary. Leave your iSUP bag on shore, or tuck it under your bungee straps for safekeeping and not so sharp navigation. Here's the thing about you and your water adventures. They're limitless. Lake Tahoe is almost 22 miles long. You don't need a cabin on the shore, you don't need a group of people to split a boat rental, you don't need a truck or a utility vehicle. Just a little bit of that hunger for adventure. Lake Tahoe is highly recommended for those of you looking for a relaxing escape. The water is crystal clear and filled with lake floor scenery. It's calm enough for a sturdy yoga session and some much needed down time, but get rowdy, if that's what your weekend calls for!
Grab your water bottle, perhaps a waterproof speaker, and sunscreen. It's time to embark on the trek to North America's largest alpine lake.
Grab your ride or die, your PFD, and clear your Saturday afternoon. Tag us in your Lake Tahoe pics to join the family album!
Need directions? Take me to Lake Tahoe!
]]>Why does it seem like EVERYONE is on team inflatable these days? We wanted to lay out some of the reasons Canadians are falling in love with their new style of paddling, and why some.. may not. The next time you're at your local surf shack, you can really talk the talk.
This might be an obvious point. Inflatables are incredibly easy to store. With all the essentials (and more) tucked into a backpack style SUP bag, storing your paddleboard is convenient enough to be apartment friendly, and we really mean the small dorm sized suits we're calling apartments these days. No need for a garage with J-hooks installed.
Contrary to popular belief inflatable boards can boast about their high level of durability. Made from military grade PVC, inflatable boards can handle the bumps and bruises from docks, rocks, and the occasional obstacle that just "came out of nowhere!" On the other hand, many high quality rigid paddleboards are curated from a slick fiberglass material. While there are many reasons you might want a fiberglass board, it's easy to crack material definitely isn't one. No bubble wrap here, folks!
People often follow up the question "what board should I get" with "this is my weight!". While you certainly don't want to battle a sinking board instead of gliding effortlessly on top of the water, the reality is that inflatables are capable of carrying a much higher load! So while we still offer a weight range, it's unlikely you'll ever struggle to keep an inflatable board afloat. This not only allows for that bevvy bag passenger, but can offer a lot more stability for the novice rider, or those of you perfecting your acrobatics.. I mean yoga. Need help narrowing down your options?
Small enough to store in your closet goes hand-in-hand with being able to get it from A-to-B. One of the greatest benefits of an inflatable board is being able to throw it in the back of your Uber. But let's take this one step further, because getting from the parking lot to the water isn't always as easy as you'd hope. Anyone who's been caught carrying their board with an ever so slight gust of wind knows what I'm talking about, and you certainly won't find us hiking to a hidden gem without the help of a compact roller bag. There's really no need to battle the awkward length of a permanently extended board or take on the extra cost of vehicle roof racks. Let’s keep things simple.
Due to its increased damage tolerance, your inflatable board ends up being much more versatile than your rigid. On our most recent cave exploration days, our team ended up battling the swell from inside a shore cave, and with not a care in the world. In fact, bumper car style adventures are totally encouraged. We threw our boards over the cliff, and jumped in to meet them, got absolutely rocked in every direction, and then blundered ourselves over the rocks in an not so elegant paddle wrap-up. While we all woke up the next morning sporting a few totally-worth-it bruises, the boards were as bright and spritely as a 20 year old who "doesn't get hungover."
No rivers, caves, or unknown terrain is off limits.
Considering a product to be cost efficient is difficult, because there are simply so many aspects to consider. Here are some of the key points to think about:
Straight out of the store: Inflatables tend to be available at a wide range of pricing, it's important to look at a couple of qualities that help weed out the blow up toys from a quality board.
Hey, sometimes things happen. Maybe you adventured a little too far out or perhaps your board became a scratching post for the neighborhood bear (this really happened). Easy to repair boards are a lifesaver if you're not willing to empty your bank account. While minor scratches and punctures can be patched up on an inflatable sup, cracking a fiberglass board can result in a hefty repair or replacement cost.
What about a plastic board!? While these may be the most wallet friendly right out of the gate, they can be incredibly heavy and require a large storage area. Their dings and dents can be virtually impossible to repair. These are great for those looking for only a handful of paddle excursions. Like your disposable Starbucks cup, each use takes its toll.
Simply put - rigid boards are rocket fast. They outperform inflatable boards by almost 15% in speed. If you're looking to compete in the next ISA World SUP competition, your rigid board will help get you to the finish line faster.
Okay.. the arm pump before the arm paddle can be just enough for you to leave your inflatable behind. We'll give it to rigids on this one... but wait.. your electric pump can take care of that for you. So the con here is roughly...five minutes long. Just enough time for you to pack your cooler.
]]>Frankly, the global shipping market is a mess. Thanks COVID.
]]>Frankly, the global shipping market is a mess. Thanks COVID. During the 2021 season, countless outdoor recreation sports companies struggled to stay alive, but not because everyone and their new puppy weren’t trying to get outdoors. In fact, demand for the activities that allowed us to take a communal breath from your make-shift home office, chaotic hospital floor, or not-so-soothing homeschooling venture, was at an all time high. We were THRILLED. Everyone was happy and willing to share the wave… but what no one expected was the total failure of the global shipping industry. For a whole list of reasons, buying a new bike or board proved more difficult than teaching your kid calculus.
You might be hearing the cautionary tales from your local news outlet, warning folks to expect slim pickings for the holidays. Or perhaps you got hit hard with delivery dates being pushed back again, and again, and again. Like you, we experienced some… frustration. With a short summer season, every warm sunny morning counts. We sought out to do some research and found a whole world of chaos.
Unfortunately, it’s not going away, at least not yet. Waiting for warm weather might leave you couch bound all summer long… again. No matter what crazy, relaxing, or adventurous activity you have on your sun-kissed bucket list, the winter months just became your shopping wonderland. Better prices, more supply, no sunshine gone unused.
Take a look at some of Canada’s most hard-to-get boards - and we’ll make sure your 60 Day Rider’s Guarantee, and Warranty don’t start until May 1st, 2022. Make sure to look out for boards that are already in stock by noting the shipping date! Our small team is jumping through any hoops that’ll make sure you still have the best boards in a reasonable amount of time!
If you feel like joining us down the rabbit hole, here are some insightful articles to get you started!
Why Everything You Want is Out of Stock!
Global Supply Chains and the Holidays!
Container Congestion in Vancouver, BC!
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Deflate & give it a good wipe down! This is especially important if you paddle in saltwater, as a fresh water rinse will ensure your board’s vibrancy doesn’t become corroded.
Dry it out. Nothing can ruin a great first spring paddle like unpacking your board to find it’s become a long-term home for mold. Let’s keep your SUP bag clean and fresh, and let your hockey bag be the only nose-pinching zone in your basement.
Quick inventory check. Did you just remember how you couldn’t find your fin screw the last time you took your board out? The last thing you’ll want to do when that sweet spring sunshine peeks through for the first time next year, is wait on your replacement shipment. All your necessary accessories are available for shipping right away. Order them now to hit the water sooner. Use the promo code “FALLACCESSORIES” at the checkout for 10% OFF any accessories on your checklist.
Store anywhere dry! Your board or dock can be stored anywhere that’s most convenient for you. It does not need to be kept warm but it DOES need to be kept dry. Remember that paddleboards are hot commodities, so ensure you keep it somewhere safe and out of sight for ...wandering eyes.
Wake up slowly! A few months of sleeping makes anyone drowsy! Your board or dock was designed to have seams that last. This means they’re taped, sown, and glued at the edges, but like any adhesive, the cold can make them stiff. Let your board or dock warm up to room temperature before you inflate it for the first time next spring so your steams stay elastic and strong!