Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is a cool water sport that is increasingly becoming more popular among water sport enthusiasts all around the world, including those from Da Nang. Not only is using a SUP fun and exciting, it is brilliant for your overall health, and self discovery.

Mr Huynh Anh Vu standing up paddle board on the Man Thai Beach

Great SUP experience

SUP is a great way to get on the water, and it is not all about the surfing waves. It also can be enjoyed on rivers, lakes and inland waterways.

In recent times, some beaches, rivers and lakes in Da Nang, including the Man Thai, Nam Son Tra and Tien Sa beaches, Han and Cu De rivers, and Hoa Trung Lake, have been emegring as the best summertime destinations for SUP thanks to their clear blue water and full-offered SUP rental services. 

21-year-old Nguyen Quang Hoa, residing in Son Tra District’s An Hai Bac Ward, excitedly said he played paddleboarding every Sunday. Hoa remarked that this kind of water sports helped players take in the beautiful waterfront blessed with a rich blue-green tone and experience an incredible sense of freedom.

“Of special note, inflatable SUP boards are fun to paddle, easy to store and simple to transport. Once you're done, just fold it up and put it in your bag” Hoa added.

Having been playing this kind of water sports for nearly a year, Nguyen Trong Gia Bao, 22, from Hai Chau District’s Binh Hien Ward, pointed out some great health benefits of paddle boarding. Included are increasing core strength, improving balance and mood, reducing stress levels, boosting cardiovascular health, and giving body the chance to absorb some vitamin D in order to boost immune system.

In addition to those who have great passion for SUP, this kind of water sports has drawn much attention from young people who want to experience a new sport.

In order to meet the increasing needs from SUP lovers, SUP rental services have been seen a boom across Da Nang over recent years. The rental prices will range from 200,000 VND to 600,000 VND per person in 3 hours.

Tran Thi Thao My, a 21-year-old femal resident of Cam Le District’s Hoa AN Ward, remarked Da Nang was one of the country’s best places for SUP thanks to its many beautiful beaches and romantic rivers.

In a bid to create a more professional SUP playing environment, many SUP groups and clubs have been established in the city over the past times, including the ‘Da Nang SUP Lovers’Club.

Established in 2018, the club is a branch of the ‘Viet Nam SUP Lovers’ Club with more than 2,200 members. The club often provides its members with basic knowledge about this kind of water sports, as well as organises some SUP-related events.

A pioneer in developing SUP in Da Nang

26-year-old Huynh Anh Vu, residing in Thanh Khe District’s Tan Chinh Ward, is considered to be one of the pioneers in developing SUP in Da Nang.

Three years ago, Vu was introduced by his friends to this kind of water sports during his trip to Ha Noi.

Vu remarked SUP paddling techniques were quite very simple, and it only took beginners about 20-30 minutes to grasp an deeper insight into these techniques.

Vu stressed the need for beginners to wear lifejackets while they are out stand up paddle boarding in order to ensure their safety.

Given the fact that SUP is a new, attractive but less popular water sport in Da Nang, Vu and his friends have decided to develop this kind of sports in the city by creating many SUP-related activities and movements.

“SUP is a fun and relaxing activity that allows you to explore the waters without actually swimming or floating in it. SUP looks like fun to everyone but the high cost of buying a paddle board stops many from getting into the sport. A good inflatable paddle board can be sold at the prices of between 8 and 30 million VND” Vu shared.

Beyond its lack of popularity and high prices, many people are concerned about the safety of this game. Therefore, Vu has made his efforts to provide SUP-related basic knowledge with beginners, and guid them how to paddle safely, thereby making them feel much more confident.

To promote the development of this kind of water sports, Vu has established associations or groups to connect passionate SUP paddlers for sharing experience, and creating useful playgrounds for them.

Vu is also a professional SUP paddler. He won a bronze medal at the ‘Viet Nam SUP Race 2019’ competition in Thua Thien Hue Povince.

Vu revealed that the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports will host a ‘Da Nang SUP Race 2021’ on 27 and 28 March in celebration of the 46^th anniversary of the liberation of Da Nang (29 March).

"Hopefully, the upcoming contest will help to popularise this new kind of water sports to local residents, and become one of the highlight tourism products to increase visitor numbers in the city in the time to come”, Vu emphasised.

By MAI HY, LAN HUONG - Translated by M.D