The great thing about stand up paddle boarding is the fact that you don’t always have to get wet, but that’s not to say that you won’t. In cold weather or cold water, the need for immersion protection increases. Your choices are wetsuits, dry suits and new to the market, hybrid suits.

Wetsuits

Wetsuits are made of tight fitting neoprene and are designed to trap a thin layer of water next to your skin, where it is warmed by your body. The neoprene minimizes evaporative cooling so you remain comfortable when you are out of the water. There are different degrees of thickness when talking about wetsuits, and factors such as temperature and desired flexibility will determine what suit you choose. The different numbers assigned to wetsuits represent the thickness of the neoprene from which the wetsuit is made. The thickest option is usually too bulky and restrictive for paddlers and is more commonly used by surfers and divers. Most paddlers opt for a 2/3mm or 4/3mm.

Drysuits

Another option to look into is a dry suit. Whereas wetsuits function by getting wet and then trapping a thin layer of water to your body that heats up and keeps you warm, dry suits were designed to prevent water from entering completely. They normally provide better insulation, which ideally makes them better for cold water. Just keep in mind that dry suits are more difficult to put on and generally more expensive. There is also one other suit to consider, the hybrid suit, which combines the features of both wetsuits and dry suits. They have characteristics of the wetsuit such as neoprene, or (synthetic rubber) along with the membrane used for dry suits.

Winter brings its challenges when figuring out how to dress appropriately and it may take you a few tries to find the perfect suit. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and the bottom line is that the suit is comfortable enough for you to enjoy some waves!

The sport was actually around years ago, but was brought back to life in Hawaii by big wave surfers Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama. From there the sport has been on the rise for the last couple of years, especially on the west coast. It’s a simple way for people to access and enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers and bays in all their natural beauty.

Stand up paddling (SUP) is also one of the best sports for working your core muscles, upper body and legs. Sup’pers who regularly sup (3 times a week) build amazing core strength, endurance and literally work every muscle from their toes on up.

SUP is very easy to learn and within an hour, one can be paddling and having fun.

However, the sport can also be challenging if you want to really become a sup rider or sup exerciser. Proper paddling techniques and more advanced board maneuvering can be an ongoing instructional process. At Stacey’s Surf Camp, there is plenty of room to continually push your athletic ability and curiosity with the sport. We offer sup yoga, sup fitness, sup sunset tour, eco tours, sup camps and sup rentals to explore on your own. Also, once you have mastered the back bays, we then offer sup surfing in the ocean. The fun and learning never stops with sup.

SUP is a great way to spend time with a spouse, girlfriend, child, relative, friend, or even to get to know a stranger. You can have a conversation while burning tons of calories and enjoying the natural beauty of your surroundings.

A lot of people compare it to walking on water, and honestly how often can you say you get to do that. Check out the classes that we offer and get in on the action!

For more information on this  exquisite property please contact Ronnie Alper, Prudential Fox & Roach.

www.Ronniealper.com                                                                                                                   (609) 576-8090

Join Ian Block and Nick DePhillipo in our new SURF FITNESS program every Sunday morning 10:00-11:00 and Tuesday early evening 6:00-7:00. Whether your a beginner or expert surfer or neither, but you want a good sweat,  this intense fitness class will focus on your core strength, balance and cardio. We have all had enough time indoors this winter, so meet us on the beach for some fresh air and fitness.

Ben Graeff will be leading our SURF TEAM only this summer you can expect some serious fun and coaching. As a team rider you will learn how to compete in friendly contest, various surfing maneuvers, perfect your duck diving, improve any area of your surfing you want to focus on and meet other kids of like ability you can surf with.

Alex Dephillipo producer of Dark Fall will be ready with his professional waterproof  video camera to capture all the good-times, great waves and laughs on video.

Jackie Gardner is in the process of setting up a program again this year with the Boy’s & Girl’s Club of Atlantic City.  Last year was our first time getting involved and it was an overwhelming success.  The kids enjoyed the ocean in a way they never had before and our instructors were so proud of their accomplishments.  Looking forward to what this year brings for this exciting program!  More news to follow-

Ari Green will be back with an additional yoga class so now you have two days to choose from, our favorite Wednesday night 5:30-7:00 and now Sunday morning 9:30-11:00. Ari just opened her on studio on Washington Ave. in Margate if you want to get a little practice in before summer check her out.

Mark Neustadter and Greg Gottlieb will be guiding some sunset STAND UP PADDLE tours (tide and wind dependent) so check in with us for those dates and times.

Brittnay Westcott is doing her thing in Costa Rica, Adam Dembo is in Australia, Lindsay Westcott and Brian are on their way to Fiji… all of which will be returning with some great travel stories and surf adventures to share with the camp.

Richie Pfeffer is nursing an injury so he will be ready and pain free for summer.

Cassidy McClain is texting me every morning to go surfing after school and hittin the slopes and skating when there are no waves.

You can find Molly Gordon working at Heritage Surf Shop when she’s not at school and Max Simon, Joe Wilson, Sean Bowman, David Ashner and Spencer Marchel are all anxiously awaiting school to be over so they can teach and surf  all summer long….