Paddling Sports Gain Popularity in the United States
Perhaps one thing that explains the popularity of Paddle Sports sweeping across the U.S. is a heightened awareness of health. Paddling is probably the most low-key exercise you could find, and it works the entire body. Balance, and working a paddle builds strength, co-ordination, plus endurance as well as helping people stay flexible. Therefore, its no mystery why so many professional athletes have begun to use paddling sports as a way to cross train, stay in shape, and have fun while they’re at it. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors at all, it’s easy to see why they would enjoy this sport.
When the wind isn’t enough, or the waves are too small, many a windsurfer or wave rider will grab their paddle boards and use them to get out on the water. Some say the biggest reason paddle boarding has gotten so popular so fast is due to people trying it for the first time at the ocean, getting hooked, and then taking the idea back home with them. No matter if your equipment is a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, where there’s water, there’s fun to be had. Understanding the fascination of paddle sports is easy when you stop to consider that whether it’s a river, creek, lake, or the ocean, water can take you to so many of this country’s most beautiful places.
For most people, all it takes is one paddling adventure to decided they love it! Standup paddle boarding has actually been around for centuries. Ancients Hawaiians had practical uses for what has become a sport to so many. Paddling from one island to another, and fishing were two uses they had for a paddleboard. This is a sport where you set your own pace. Don’t be surprised if you happen to be passing by a body of water someday and see someone sitting on their board quietly, doing nothing at all. They are probably in the middle of a yoga session and don’t need rescuing.
According to public statistics, almost 20 Million people indulge in some manner of paddle sports on a daily basis. As with most anything else that is fun, you have to keep basic safety in mind. There have been fatalities reported in this sport due to people over estimating their own skill but that hasn’t slowed down paddle sports popularity at all. It continues to spread and there is no end in sight. Staying safe is so easy, don’t let yourself become a statistic regardless of how much fun you may be having.
The US Coast Guard has taken an interest in paddling sports because its bound to increase their workload somewhat. The Coast Guard estimates that by 2020, at its current rate of popularity, there will be 47 Million people on US waterways involved in one form of paddling or another. They advise anyone considering a paddle sport to never leave dry land without a life-jacket, sunscreen, bottle of water, or a whistle. Common sense is all it really takes to enjoy this water sport or any other.
Considering the popularity, and potential dangers involved in any kind of paddle boarding, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is now getting in position to increase safety on the waters. As in any other sport there are “do’s and don’ts” to follow, and they will be teaching “paddle sport safety” to anyone interested. If you’re going to be one of the millions out there participating in this sport, learning to make sure you do it safely won’t take any of the fun out of it and will only add to your overall enjoyment. Basically, paddling sports don’t have many limitations. Generally, anyone who can keep their balance while sitting or standing has what it takes to learn a paddle sport.
