On Building a Safe, Inclusive, and Fair SUP Community

An Introduction

I love SUP. 

And if you’re like me, you follow all things SUP and SUP racing on social media. 

…and, really, any media (magazines, podcasts, book clubs, workshops, etc) that is available.

Scroll through Facebook or Instagram and you can see multiple posts showing beautiful race venues and their gorgeous coastlines. Photos and videos do wonders to capture the essence of the adrenaline fueled start of the race. And for the front row seat experience, you can follow an entire race on YouTube. Don’t forget to turn up the volume to hear race commentary, loud cheers, and the oh so familiar, “Yew!” 

Post paddle social gatherings show the breaking of bread, smiles, and camaraderie. New friends have been made. Phone numbers and social media handles get exchanged. And in the days that follow, epic race recaps are posted that leave anyone and everyone that wasn’t physically at that race wishing they were there. 

There's a real warmth in this community. It’s the kind that encourages people to plan their whole weekend around a race that is either a few minutes or several hours and a couple time zones away. Sure there’s podium aspirations but beyond that is the desire to connect. There’s a desire to be part of the greater SUP community. 

I’ve felt some of that warmth myself. I’ve experienced the pre-dawn gathering for a sunrise paddle as well as the post paddle caffeine meet-up. Following a race, a stranger-turned-paddle friend generously helped me put my raceboard on my car, without being asked. Last but certainly not least, a fellow paddler hosted me in his home and allowed me to use his raceboard so I could participate in his race.  

However…

Despite these warm experiences, I haven’t always felt welcome in the SUP community. 

To explain further, here’s a few things I have experienced: 

• Despite being invited to paddle with a group, I’ve often been left behind.

• I’ve been condescendingly referred to as a “recreational” paddler, among other labels, because I use a 2-piece carbon paddle and my board is 26” wide.

• I’ve found myself being ignored or not spoken to by other paddlers, even when I initiate conversation.  

• Last year, I was publicly scolded by a race director. 

I started paddling solo. I removed myself from my local paddle community and stopped showing up at SUP races. I even withdrew from two big races I’d spent months training for. 

Experiences like what I shared remind me how deeply our actions impact one another. And while the less elegant experiences caused me to step back temporarily, my love for SUP never wavered. In fact, it got stronger.

In other words, stepping back wasn’t the end of my journey. It was a new beginning that put things into perspective. And it is that perspective that made me want to help build a space where no paddler feels left behind or invisible.

COMMUNITY AND COMPETITION 

Someone from the SUP community reached out on Instagram to check on me. From that instagram connection came an in-person visit. The in-person visit led to an invitation to show up to a USA SUP’S CommUNITY Conversation. And, for the first time since I became a member in 2023, I showed up on that zoom call.

And now I’m here, introducing myself to all of you. 

USA SUP’s mission is to help grow the sport of SUP and our community by engaging and informing participants and championing safe, inclusive, & fair communities and events.

The person that reached out to me both modeled and embodied that mission. 

It can be easy to assume community just happens. Or that the responsibility of championing safe, inclusive, & fair communities and events rests only on the shoulders of the local leader of a SUP group, race director, or even USA SUP. It doesn’t.

Being in commUNITY requires active participation from all of us. It is intentional. And active participation is easier than you all think. 

Building a stronger, safer, and fairer paddle community doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with simple, everyday actions from each of us. When we all step up to champion one another, our entire sport rises together.

In this series I’ll be sharing my thoughts and opinions on what community is and isn’t. I’ll also share how you can do your part to build community. Finally, I'll share what USA SUP has been doing because if you are aware you can model. 

Before I sign off, here’s my stand up paddle origin story: 

I started paddling late 2022. I learned about SUP racing in 2023. August of that year, I participated in my first SUP race using a 12’6” inflatable touring board. I did the 5k and got first place in the 12’6” board class. However, it was when I watched the 2023 USA SUP Nationals on YouTube and followed by that year’s ICF race in Thailand that I can say I officially fell in love with SUP. I was so inspired! I appreciate the perspective this sport has given me. SUP has connected me to the city I live in. I look forward to meeting more of you.

Cheers to unity and community, 

Chioma (aka Chi) 

IG Handle - @talkingsup