Honoli'i Beach Park
The hottest new sport, stand-up paddle surfing (SUP), isn’t new at all. It’s actually an ancient Hawaiian tradition called Hoe he’e nalu. Still it’s becoming more popular each year and everyone from surfers to rafters, are trying SUP because of its unique athletic style.
Evidence of Hawaiians surfing dates back as far as 1500. Ancient petroglyphs depict people riding waves and traditional songs tell stories about great feats of surfing. However the first written account of surfing didn’t come until 1779 when Captain Cook wrote about it in his journal. Later, in 1866, Mark Twain wrote a much more entertaining version when he came to Hawaii. He described paddling out on a wooden board with naked native Hawaiians (both male and female) and falling off in the surf. In the 1960s, when the Beach Boys used outrigger paddles on long boards, the sport started gaining worldwide notoriety.
Mauna Lani Resort, Photo by Nurit Pazner
In the past five to ten years SUP has become a full-fledged sport with competitions all over the world. Still, if you want to feel what it was like for the ancient Hawaiians you should try it on the Big Island. Banyans, a popular surf spot near Kona, has great swells for stand-up paddle boarders. On the East side of the island you’ll find, Honolii, with waves ranging from three to twelve feet. Beginners should try Pine Tree in the North. This remote spot has equally good surf in the summer and winter season.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your stand-up paddle surfing adventure on the Big Island today. You can search our vacation rentals online at, www.letsgohawaii.com or get in touch with us for more information at, MacArthur and Company / Sotheby’s International Realty.