How old is SUP? (Stand up Paddling)

The origins of our sport are always a topic of discussion, and while many of us wish that it was those hunky waterman, the hawaiians who started our sport. We might have to look a little further back in time, to see who the Hawaiins borrowed the concept from!

While travelling in Papua New Guinea last year, photographer and stand up paddler Rob Pirie snapped some great photos of locals paddling (while standing up) on their canoes and outriggers, as well as surfing and messing about in the water. These guys have been stand up paddling for years, just the way their ancestors did - so it appears our humble sport is far from new. I'll let the photo's do the talking though - check them out here.

Read the discussion in the Stand up Paddle forums here
Have a look at the other work of Rob Pirie (Von Piros) here