SURFING’S NEXT FRONTIER
Instead of stroking with their arms, stand-up surfers use a long-shafted paddle and a huge board to catch waves—from the tiniest Cardiff shin-slappers to beefy Makaha bombs. It’s not easy, so learning on a superstable board like the 4.5-inch-thick, 12-foot-long Walden is best. You’ll also want a lightweight, carbon-fiber paddle, like C4Waterman’s Pohaku Beach Boy Paddle ($335; standuppaddles.com). 12′; waldensurfboards.com
Bonus: It’s a great antidote to the blues on flat, waveless days.
Bummer: You’re going to need the muscles you develop from stand-up paddling just to carry this 30-pound behemoth to the beach.