The sport of stand up paddling has tradition reaching back to the Hawaiin waterman lifestyle of early last century.  We invite you to come and try this variation of "The Sport of Kings" here on our local waterways.

History of Stand Up Paddling

Stand up paddling it is believed was first made popular in the 1960's in Waikiki by local beach boys.  The beach boys would ride large longboards and paddle with a canoe paddle, sometimes taking pictures of the tourists learning to surf.  Before this there are a few individuals such as John Zabotocky (pictured below)                                              
who picked up the sport in the 1940's after they claimed seeing others such as famed waterman and father of surfing Duke Kahanamoku practice the sport. 

 
Fast forward to earlier this decade and you'll find some of Hawaii's most notable surfers and watermen such as Laird Hamilton(below) using the sport as a way to

cross train for surfing.  Gradually as more people began trying the sport they realized how much fun it was even without waves and began stand up paddling on lakes and rivers inland.  Now the sport is done by thousands of people who live no where close to an ocean or waves because of the wonderful fitness benefits, ease of learning and pure fun of stand up paddling.