Are you confused thinking about whether an inflatable boat sport or SUP sport is right for you? You are prone to get confused since both these types have their respective benefits. Depending on your requirements and lifestyle, you can figure out which one suits you better as per your convenience.
However, we assure you that you can easily make the decision after you finish reading this. Before diving deep into this topic, let us go through the significance of these pump board sports.
The History of Pump Board Sports
SUP (Standup Paddle boarding) sports can propel oneself on a floating platform using a paddle. This sport has its origin thousands of years back across the world. However, the current mode has its origin in the 1900s. There are records of primitive forms of SUP as early as 3000 B.C.
The modern type of SUP was started in Waikiki in the 1940s. A local Hawaiian named John Ah Choy stood on the board and paddled out using a canoe paddle to catch waves. Later, his sons have also started to mimic when they were teaching surfing art for the tourists. That’s when this style became popular, and they were called ‘Waikiki Beach Boys’.
During the 1990s, Laird Hamilton redefined SUP as a sport. And in the year 2004, SUP surfing sports got included as a new category in the Buffalo Big Board Contest. Later, SUP diversified from surfing into touring, racing, fishing, whitewater, as well as yoga, thereby becoming an attractive sport that is accessible to every person.
In the year 2013, SUP sports were considered the most popular outdoor activity according to the Outdoor Participation Report by Outdoor Foundation. Nearly 2 million Americans participated in this sport which increased to 2.8 million in 2014.
Advantages of Pump Board Sports
Pump board sports have a strong historical base as you would have seen already. So, it is evident that this sport is a great outdoor activity. All you need is a rigid or inflatable board, an electric pump for inflatable, and a body of water. Are you wondering if there are any advantages to these SUP/inflatable sports? Here it is.
- SUP/inflatable boat sports can build abdominal strength and engage your core muscles. Furthermore, it can strengthen the legs, arms, shoulders, and back. Hence, you can easily get a full-body workout.
- Pump board sports help in building your stamina. This activity proves to be so enjoyable where you may end up working out for many hours without exerting yourself. Moreover, this low impact workout can be a great alternative to injury-prone runners.
- These sports can enhance the stability of your joints. Hence, it is easy to balance on a SUP board. The small muscles in the lower leg and foot get activated as you balance on the board. No other recreational activity utilizes all your small muscles for joint and balance support like how SUP does. It can treat plantar fasciitis as well as many other ailments.
- Isn’t it great to be on the water in a standing position and enjoy nature? Yes, exactly. SUP game is an amazing stress reducer.
- Going out in the sunlight allows your body to secrete more Vitamin D. It is important for strong bone development, mental function, as well as calcium production.
- SUP/inflatable sport can reduce the risk of stroke as well as a heart attack. They can successfully help to improve cardiovascular health and prevent the risk of developing relatable diseases.
- Would you like to lose weight quickly? You can surely try out SUP. Research proved that this sport could reduce your body fat more quickly than consuming skimpy diets.
There are many benefits to standup paddle boarding. It’s worth trying it out. Overall, it will improve your mood and connect with yourself in the outdoors. Hence, SUP can easily get you on your feet.
Differences between SUP sport and inflatable boat sport
Both inflatable and SUP sports can be learned quickly by picking up the basic skills in a single day. However, as mentioned already, we will list out the differences between inflatable boat sport and SUP sport.
Let’s see what makes SUP sports better:
- A SUP (Standup Paddle Board) involves standing on the board where you can use a long single-bladed paddle for movement purposes. In the inflatable boat, you will have to sit on an elevated seat and use the single-bladed paddle.
- A manual pump or an electric pump is used to inflate the board, unlike SUP sports where rigid boards are used.
- In inflatable sports, you are trapped in the same position. So, there is a risk of having repetitive strain injuries (RSI). During the sports activity in the SUP, you can move around freely to shift the paddling stroke. As you are not getting stuck in the same position, you will be at a very lower risk of developing RSI.
- While learning inflatable sports, you require more practice to improve your upper body stamina. Furthermore, if you fall into the water, you should be thorough with the skill of getting back into the boat as well. On the contrary, SUPs are more variable. Once you learn to balance on the board, it is comparatively simple.
- Inflatable sports focus on increasing your upper body stamina. However, SUP sports increase core strength and improve your coordination while balancing on the board.
- When it comes to racing, SUP is better. Racing is possible in both SUP and inflatables. In inflatables, you can travel only from Point A to Point B and revert back. However, in SUP, there are many more flexibilities. You can select SUP for multiple factors such as transportation, yoga, touring, and racing as well.
Next, let’s see what makes inflatable boat sports better:
- Compared to SUP boats, inflatable boats are lightweight. Hence if you are planning for water sports, you can easily launch into the water.
- In SUP sports, there is a risk of having more damage if your SUP boat hits a rough object. When it comes to inflatable sports, you can safely ride in the water and won’t sink often. Even if your inflatable boat hits a rough object, the risk of damage will be comparatively lower.
- Would you prefer to carry loads while going for water sports? In that case, opt for inflatable sports so that it can hold up to 2000 pounds especially if the boat weighs 220 pounds.
- In the case of straight-line speed, an inflatable sport is better than a SUP sport.
At the end of the day, both are equally effective watersports.
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to climb on your board and start paddling today! But make sure to set your priorities and select the right board.