Stand Up Paddle Surfing (SUP) on the Isar river (GER)

The Eisbach (Ice creek) surfers of Munich are meanwhile known all over the world. The Stand Up Paddlers of Munich are just about to establish a new trend in the Bavarian capital. The so called “SUP“ surfing.

 

While doing Stand Up Paddle Surfing one stands on a surfboard and uses a long paddle to push oneself forwards through the water. What might sound sort of weird and unspectacular to some people, is a new U.S. American trend sport. The variation was born in the surf Mecca Hawaii. At the beginning Stand Up Paddle Surfing had a practical reason; the Hawaiian surf teachers came up with it to reach the farther reefs more quickly. In the meantime, it has become a fascinating facet of surfing.

 

Not only in the USA, the number of companies, which proverbially have jumped on the wave, is growing. “A-class celebrities“ do their bit to popularize “SUP” surfing. People like Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey and others already use SUP as an effective power workout and as a possibility to relax. All of them appreciate the easy practicability. SUP surfing has just been established in Munich on the Isar river, too.

 

Stand Up Paddling in the South of Munich

 

SUP surfing on the Isar river

The pioneers of the red hot trend in Munich are called Florian Lachauer, Bernhard Sewering, Peter Stengl, Christian Grosse, Nico Steinleitner, Verena Lieb und Andy Mencke. On their boards they covered a distance of 25 kilometres on the Isar river, which is one of the most beautiful sceneries of the Bavarian capital’s surroundings. Exploring this wonder of nature, alone or together with friends, is indescribable for them.

 

Verna Lieb paddling on the Isar
Florian Lachauer in little rapids
Photos Stephan Gölnitz/Starboard


Andy Mencke: “As a windsurfer I’ve already ridden waves, which were several meters high, I’ve experienced many speed rushs and I’ve really seen the world’s most beautiful beaches. In terms of the wonder of nature, SUP surfing on the Isar river is an inimitable experience. The river curls over so many times and after every single bend a new and unforgettable sight is waiting. Added together, we rode down the Isar river a dozen times this year and every time it was stunning.”

 

Flo Lachauer: “I liked the naked people by the Isar river best. Joking apart, one cannot get enough and is challenged after every bend again and again.”

 

Verena Lieb: “I have never stand on a surfboard before, but already after a few minutes I was able to enjoy the two-hour trip down the Isar river to the full. I hadn’t thought that this sport would be able to captivate me that much after the first try. I will stick to it and cannot wait until I will get on the surfboard again.“

 

It doesn’t matter whether it’s Ammersee, Starnbergersee, Chiemsee, Wörthsee or the Isar river, the main point is that there is water under the prow and everyone can get started. Every lake offers perfect conditions to feel good as a surfer. Learned in a few minutes, one gets used to the wobbly platform quite quickly. With the first powerful paddle strokes one gathers speed very fast and the board stabilizes. Because SUP surfing is so easy to learn, more and more people become fans.

Besides the fun factor, it additionally offers a perfect body workout on the water. Body tension results in the necessary balance and the paddle strokes train the arm, breast, belly and back muscular system. In July the first SUP World Cup is going to take place in Hamburg.

 

Links

Stand Up Paddling on Wikipedia: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_Up_Paddle_Surfing


SUP online Magazine (English): http://www.supsurfmag.com/ and http://www.standuppaddlesurf.net/

 

Interesting article in the Time Magazine (English): http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1901908,00.html