Dubai: It’s 9am on a Tuesday morning and a clutch of six women have gathered at the Riva Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah for a Stand up Paddle (SUP) session. As their enthusiasm wafts through the sea breeze, it is clear SUP has taken the UAE by storm. “There’s an international SUP competition in Abu Dhabi from April 11. Should be great fun,” one of them says.
An offshoot of surfing, SUP is a sport where paddlers race on lakes, large rivers, canals and the sea. But as instructor Marie De Villiers of the Ignite Surf School explains, SUP is also about fitness and fun. As she begins her briefing, she has the group’s undivided attention. A round of warm up exercises later, the women, who call themselves SUP Sisters, are ready to move to their paddle boards, their legs on a leash.
Three women in the group have never done SUP before, but that hardly matters. “SUP is often referred to as walking on water. The lessons are designed to teach you the basics of the sport and to allow you to experience a fun and easy way to paddle in some of the greatest spots in town. It is tailored for people of all ages and levels no previous experience or major fitness is required – you just need to be able to swim,” says Marie.
By now, the women are paddling up to a bay in the still waters across the Shoreline Apartments. “We do the first round of core exercises on this bay. Basically, sit-ups, push-ups and pilates to strengthen the muscles,” she says.
Group exercise
When the group exercise gets underway over the next 10-15 minutes, the women unleash themselves. They are sitting or lying on the board by now. Once that is done, they are ready to paddle up to a second bay. The paddling provides them a cardio workout. On the second bay, they do another round of core exercises to strengthen the muscles around the stomach, arms and other areas.
The next round is meant for knee-paddling. “This entails kneeling on the paddle board with one leg up at 90 degrees. It’s a combination of core and cardio exercises,” she says.
The knee paddling brings the workout to a close as the women slowly paddle back to the shore. The entire regime takes about an hour and costs Dh125 each.
For most, it’s money worth the spend as they have fun while getting fit. For the newcomers, there’s also the novelty factor.
Marie says the sport is very safe when correctly done, even with beginners. “The Palm waters are glassy, calm and smooth. The only challenge is the wind which can make the waters choppy. When that happens, you need to keep your knees bent or get down on your knees,” says De Villiers, who takes classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “Soon we will be introducing classes on Fridays.”
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi All Stars Grand Slam presented by the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club will take place from April 11 to 19. It is expected to feature around 180 riders from all over the world. “Two of our riders from Dubai will also be participating in the event,” De Villiers says.
