5280 Paddle Sports exists to serve the Denver Metro Community with Stand Up Paddleboarding activities and to advocate the sport of SUP.
All of our Instructors are:
ACA Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Certified
Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Certified
About Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is without a doubt one of the best forms of cross training as it works the core, legs and upper body all at the same time - plus it’s tons of fun!
SUP delivers a full body workout and thus has become an extremely popular cross-training activity. And since you stand at your full height, you can enjoy unique views of the surrounding beauty.
SUP delivers a full body workout and thus has become an extremely popular cross-training activity. And since you stand at your full height, you can enjoy unique views of the surrounding beauty.
The Hawaiian phrase "Ku Hoe He'e Nalu" simply means: to stand, to paddle, to surf, a wave. The popularity of the modern sport has its origination in the Hawaiian Islands.
It's most recent history dates back to the 1960's when the Beach Boys (Surf Instructors) on Waikiki beach would stand on their long boards and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. This is where the term "Beach Boy Surfing" originates. It also allowed them to have better visibility over their group of Surfing Instructors and allowed them to call the sets easier as their upright position meant that they could see the swell long before the prone surfers. As time moved on board designs and fashions changed, the paddle was all but lost in the history of surfing. A few surfers in Waikiki continued to use a paddle but they were very much in the minority.
It's most recent history dates back to the 1960's when the Beach Boys (Surf Instructors) on Waikiki beach would stand on their long boards and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf. This is where the term "Beach Boy Surfing" originates. It also allowed them to have better visibility over their group of Surfing Instructors and allowed them to call the sets easier as their upright position meant that they could see the swell long before the prone surfers. As time moved on board designs and fashions changed, the paddle was all but lost in the history of surfing. A few surfers in Waikiki continued to use a paddle but they were very much in the minority.
In the early 2000’s Hawaiian surfers such as Dave Kalama, Brain Keaulana, Archie Kalepa and Laird Hamilton started SUP as an alternative way to train while the surf was down. They were discovering Stand Up Paddle Surfing allowed them to keep in shape for the bigger days of tow in surfing as well as adding a new dimension to their skills. As the years went on they found themselves entering such events as the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race and Makaha’s Big Board Surfing Classic. Now you can find many SUP paddlers entering Outrigger and Paddleboard events as participants in their own category.
One difference between the modern idea of surfing and SUP is that the latter does not need a wave. In SUP, one can paddle on the open ocean, in harbours, on lakes, rivers or any large body of water. In Hawaii they call it "Surfing with Aloha."
One difference between the modern idea of surfing and SUP is that the latter does not need a wave. In SUP, one can paddle on the open ocean, in harbours, on lakes, rivers or any large body of water. In Hawaii they call it "Surfing with Aloha."
About the ACA: Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition, exploration and recreation. The ACA believes it is our role to:
- Provide the general public with FUN paddlesport opportunities
- Make paddling education and instruction accessible
- Improve access to all paddling venues
- Expand paddlesport to people of all abilities and to the underserved
- Influence stewardship issues and public policy that affect paddlers and the paddling experience
- Promote paddlesports competition at the local, regional and national levels
- Create strategic alliances with clubs and other organizations that represent the outdoor experience in order to expand awareness and knowledge of paddlesport
- Communicate the benefits of canoeing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddleboarding as healthy lifetime recreation activities
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that...
...all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;
...our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;
...everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;
...all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
...in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
...all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;
...our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;
...everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;
...all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
...in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
