Humpday Health: Standup paddle boarding

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Living on the coast means we have some unique places to explore and enjoy. You can take full advantage of the gorgeous scenery and get in a great workout at the same time.

“Stand up paddle boarding originated back in the Polynesian Islands,” said Jarrod Covington the owner and director of Wrightsville Standup Paddle.

What started out as a way for life guards to patrol the waters has become a popular pass time for folks who live in or visit coastal towns like Wrightsville Beach.

“Today it’s a great form of exercise or recreation or fishing or exploration. It’s just very versatile and a great way to explore the water,” said Covington.

He said paddle boarding is something anyone can do with the right guidance and proper equipment.

“It’s so user friendly and so easily versatile.The most important thing is just to understand the elements, the wind, the tide, boat traffic and oyster beds. Just understanding what’s around you and how to properly navigate yourself around those,”said Covington.

There are a variety of exercises you can do on the boards, everything from gentle rowing to yoga to racing. Casual boarding can burn up to 430 calories an hour and paddle board racing can burn over 1,000.

“The beauty of it is it works everything. It’s a great challenge from stability, especially if you’re in the ocean trying to stabilize all the leg muscles and the muscles around the knee and the core as you drive yourself forward. You’re using a lot of core and back muscles. So it really works out full body, if you’re doing it correctly,” Covington said.

This workout truly is a lot of fun!