Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Stand up paddling started to become popular in 2005.

As the SUP volunteers started to volunteer in open water swims around the world, the sport of open water swimming was enhanced. SUP paddlers can see more of the course due to their standing position as opposed to the prone position with traditional paddlers or sitting kayakers. Additionally, the SUP boards are large and wide and easy for swimmers in distress to hang on and get on. SUP paddlers can easily call or radio for help as well as be easily visible when there is a call for help on the course.

Stand-up paddler is shown monitoring the course at the Jax Coco Shek O Challenge event in 2014.

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