Stand-Up Paddle Surfing is one the of most exiting new ways to ride the waves. Its roots go back a style of surfing developed by the acient Hawaiians. It is distinctly polonesian in its feel. Riders describe the sport as a throwback to surfings birthplace in Hawaii.

Laird Hamilton has helped popularize the sport in recent years. I had the priviledge of witnessing him ride his stand up board at a break in Malibu. After catching a 5 foot wave completely standing up, he dug the paddle in the water and launched himself into a huge cutback. It was incredible to watch this feat, as I had not known the full capabilities of this sport.

Stand-up paddle surfing is the new rage in Hawaii right now. In stand-up paddle surfing, the rider stands on the board and uses a paddle to catch waves. The rider can conceivably go an entire session upright, without ever lying or sitting on his board.

The rider uses a massive board - generally 12 feet long, 30 inches wide and 4-5 inches thick — with a canoe-style paddle. You throw the tank in the water, knee- or prone-paddle out past the shorebreak with the paddle tucked under you, then pop to your feet with the paddle in your hand. With your feet parallel, you can then balance on the board and paddle around. Once you get the feel of it, the next goal is to propel yourself into waves

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Laird Hamilton, an early practitioner of this waveriding style, standing with his board.

At first, try to get the hang of being able to paddle the board on flat water

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Then you can start paddling into and riding waves