SUP (Stand Up Paddling) is a rapidly-growing water sport with so many different styles and types of SUP boards. Yet, one thing remains the same: Paddlers stand on a long surfboard and use a long single bladed paddle as a propeller to move forward.
We have met with the instructor of the «Windsurfers on Tour» academy and champion of the 4km 12,6” board category of the Cyprus SUP Cup 2014, , Costas Symeonides, who talked about the fastest growing sport in Cyprus and his most bold and amazing experience: crossing a distance of 400 kilometres in six days from Kastellorizo to Limassol.
When did you get into SUP?
I started getting involved with SUP in 2010. Before that, I used to do windsurfing and sailing for 8 years, until some friends in Greece introduced me to SUP and encouraged me to bring this sport to Cyprus. This modern stand up paddle boarding has its roots in Hawaii, and was brought to California in 2004 by the stand-up paddle surfer, Rick Thomas.
When did SUP become a mainstream in Cyprus?
During the first two years, there were only a few people interested in the sport, when suddenly it gained popularity and has been growing day by day ever since. We currently have more than 1,000 SUP athletes in Cyprus.
Are there more men or women involved with the sport?
There are both men and women who are interested in this sport. It is equally popular to both genders.
What about the age? How old is your oldest student?
I have students of all ages. I have an athlete who is over 70 years old and has three boards of his own. SUP is not age prohibitive; on the contrary, it provides you with a very good overall workout without fear of injury.
It does require balance though.
Balance is something that you acquire through practising. There is no one who cannot do it.
What about your experience from Kastellorizo to Cyprus?
We needed five days to cover the distance. It is an amazing experience. I definitely exceeded my limits! I lost 13 pounds in six days. I woke up at 5:30 – 6:00 every day, and paddled for 10 to 12 hours per day, with one or two breaks for food. The first two days were very difficult because of the strong opposing waves. I remember paddling for 13 hours per day only to discover that I have covered a distance of 64 kilometres. In contrast to the third day, when the sea was calmer, I paddled for 12 hours and covered 77 kilometres, while on the fourth day I covered 81 kilometres within 11 hours.
It was more of a psychological pressure, since we needed to cover the distance in six days, and this is what I was trained and prepared for. Of course, it would not be possible if I didn’t have the support of my team, both on and
off the boat, and I would like to thank them for that.
At which point of the journey you could see Cyprus?
As soon as I saw Cyprus on the fourth day, I told myself that I would not stop. I don’t know where I got the strength from. But I did! I stopped paddling at around 8:30 to 9:00 in the evening; that is when I saw dolphins.
It was for a good cause; to support Preventive Paediatrics.
Exactly! We have managed to raise 24,000 euros.
The year before, I was together with another SUP surfer from Paphos, and we managed to raise 13,000 euros for the Red Cross.
Are you preparing something similar for this year too?
This year I got involved with other things too. I have opened a shop for sports gear, mainly for surfing and skateboarding, and I believe I should not pressure myself for so many days. I would like my next target to be something bigger, perhaps a journey covering double the distance.
To sum up, SUP is a great workout; one can do several types of SUP, including surfing against or in the direction of the wind, the so-called downwind, and certainly in a calm sea. You can even do several yoga or other types of exercises on the board.
Source: Exclusive magazine
