Stand Up Paddle: Recharge your energy on the water

Summer is just around the corner. Whether you're heading abroad to the sea this year, or discovering the Austrian lakes and rivers: Stand Up Paddling, the trendy sport, offers refreshing cooling with maximum fun!

We invited our expert Thomas Bierbauer (Intersport Pilz shop manager in Hartberg) for an interview on the topic of Stand Up Paddling (SUP). He reveals his top 3 tips for beginners, has information about equipment ready and tells about a mishap that fortunately turned out well.

What is so exciting about the trendy sport of SUP?

Stand Up Paddling is not only fun, but also ideal for holistic training on the water.

How quickly does one normally learn SUP?

In calm waters, you will have initial success from the first paddle stroke. It gets a bit more exciting in waves.

Do you need a beginner's course or is self-learning possible?

Tips from experts are always helpful at the beginning. A beginner's course would of course be ideal. Here you also get tips for personal safety.

Where all can you swing the paddle?

We have beautiful lakes in Austria. Especially in Carinthia, Styria and Burgenland there are already many possibilities.

But paddling is also possible in calmly flowing waters.

There are different types of SUPs. Which type needs which board?

That's right. It's best to come to the shop and get advice from our experts.

What else should you pay attention to when buying?

You should ask yourself a few questions in advance:

How do I want to move on the water? So do I want to exert myself athletically, or chill and enjoy nature and the water?

Do I paddle on the sea or on the lake, or do I do both?

Am I traveling alone, or am I taking someone with me?

And and and…

There is a suitable SUP for every type.

It's good to know that there are so many different possibilities here. How much does the starter equipment cost?

I-SUPs are available from 200 to 1,500 euros. A good board costs between 500 and 700 euros. Even beginners should take a higher quality board, because it's just more fun when the board is of high quality and glides better in the water, you have a better stand... Here the price/performance ratio is right.

Speaking of beginners: What are your top 3 tips for beginners?

The safety aspect should take precedence here. If you are not yet so practiced, you should never go paddling alone. Three tips:

Choose calm waters

Life jacket or/and leash indispensable

Training is certainly an advantage

Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced paddler: What three things should you always have with you?

In addition to the board and paddle, definitely:

A waterproof SUP bag (for cell phone, water bottle, towel…)

Life jacket or/and Leash

Being in pairs is certainly an advantage. Safety comes first.

What are your SUP highlights so far?

For me, every day on the water is a highlight. It is most beautiful in Croatia. There are an incredible number of small islands and bays to explore here.

Experiencing a sunrise on the sea on the board is simply indescribable and gives so much positive energy. A sundowner is of course also a great experience.

Is there also a SUP mishap? 😉

Yes, in Croatia the air spontaneously escaped from my SUP. The board didn't go under, but I still had a pretty long way back to the beach.

Tip: At Intersport, 2 Firefly models "ISUP 500" and "ISUP 700" now have 2 separate air chambers. This of course offers additional protection and even more security in such precarious situations.

Where are your still unfulfilled SUP dreams?

Spend the whole summer in Croatia and go paddling every day😊

Thank you for the interview, dear Thomas!